Al-Maktoum Institute For Arabic and Islamic Studies, Courses, Research Programmes

Research Programmes

The Masters programmes (taught or research-based) offered at Al-Maktoum Institute can be the road leading to a PhD in the Study of Islam and Muslims; alternatively, you can join the Institute to do a PhD after having received a Masters degree in the Study of Islam and Muslims from another recognised university. The research areas that can be supervised include any issues related to the study of Islam and Muslims in historical or contemporary contexts and topics related to Islamicjerusalem.

The main areas for postgraduate research are:

• The Study of Islam and Muslims
• Islamicjerusalem Studies
• Multiculturalism
• Muslims, Globalisation and the West

Aims
 
The aim of a research degree is to provide a thorough training in a particular subject area through original exploration and experiment, culminating in the preparation of a thesis setting out the conclusions of the research undertaken. Al-Maktoum Institute offers opportunities to undertake supervised research at either Doctoral or Masters level.

Programme Structure

Students may register either for full-time or for part-time study. For a PhD, the normal study period is 36 months full-time or 60 months part-time; the equivalent figures for an MPhil are 24 and 42 months. In special circumstances, where a candidate has undertaken postgraduate research previously and where progress on the research degree has been faster than scheduled, the minimum period for full-time candidates may be reduced to no less than 24 months for a PhD and 12 months for an MPhil, on submission of the thesis for examination.

The Supervisor and Depute Principal for Academic Affairs of the Institute must fully endorse any proposal to reduce the minimum period.

Each student is assigned at least one supervisor who is a member of the Institute’s academic staff. The University operates a Code of Practice for postgraduate research students, copies of which are made available to students with their Joining Packs.

The precise focus of research is agreed between the supervisor and the student, where possible to suit the student's particular interests and needs.

During the first year students may be required to undertake some formal research training. Throughout the research period they will be required to attend the annual postgraduate summer and winter workshops at the Institute, along with the regular postgraduate research seminars, and specialist seminars and conferences, and will also be required to give an account of their progress to staff and fellow students from time to time, at seminars within the Institute.

Progression

Progress is monitored regularly and Supervisors are asked to complete official 6-monthly reports. Satisfactory reports may lead to transfer from a research Masters degree to PhD. Unsatisfactory progress, however, may lead to a transfer in the opposite direction from PhD to a research Masters, or a student being required to terminate their studies.

Entrance Requirements

Candidates for the degree of PhD must normally hold either a Masters degree or a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree in an appropriate discipline from a recognised university or institute of learning, or an equivalent qualification or experience which is acceptable as equivalent.

Those with somewhat lower qualifications may be asked to register initially for a Masters degree by research (MPhil); satisfactory progress may allow conversion to a PhD programme, this being backdated to the date of first registration.

Research degrees students can register at any time during the academic year.

The Institute may also seek additional information from referees and / or call the candidate for interview.

Any applicant whose first language is not English is required to have an IELTS score of 6.5. or equivalent (with a score of at least 6.0 in the writing section of the test) (e.g. TOEFL 580) as a condition of entry. Applicants who do not meet this criteria should contact the Institute to establish how to develop their language skills.

Course Duration: 

MPhil

Full Time                       Normally 24 months                    Min 12 months

Part Time                      Normally 42 months                    Min 24 months

PhD

Full Time                       Normally 36 months                    Min 24 months

Part Time                      Normally 60 months                    Min 36 months

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