Globalised Muslim World, The MSc

This programme is run over one year (full time) or two years (part time).

You will complete three compulsory taught courses across two semesters which will provide you with the core knowledge and research expertise needed in order to embark on your own original research project in the form of a 15,000-word final dissertation.

Compulsory courses

• Regional Perspectives in a Globalised Muslim World
• International, Transnational and Globalised Dynamics of the Muslim World
• Research Methods and Dissertation Writing on the Muslim World

You will supplement your core courses with three additional option courses chosen from a wide variety of subject areas.

Option courses

Option courses may include:

• Muslims in Europe
• Muslim Society in Southeast Asia
• Islamic Africa
• Law and Power in the Muslim World
• Unfolding Afghanistan in a Globalised Context
• South Asia: Culture, Politics & Economy
• Political Contestation in the Middle East
• International Relations Theory
• International Security
• The Middle East in International Relations
• Gender and Media in the Arab World
• The History and Culture of Iran
• Digital Islamic Art History
• Critical Readings in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies
• Major Themes in the Study of Islam
• Pioneers of Political Islam
• Liberation Theologies in Christianity and Islam
• From diatribe to dialogue in Christian-Muslim relations
• Islamic Theology: Classical and Contemporary Perspectives
• Arabic language
• Persian language
• Turkish language

Dissertation

You must also complete a 15,000-word dissertation on a relevant subject of your choosing.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

The programme aims to develop an awareness of the Muslim world as a distinct subject of academic and societal inquiry.

It will equip students from within and from outside the Muslim world with the means to engage with an increasingly complex socio-political and religious field.

The programme prepares students to comprehend forthcoming societal challenges facing the globalised Muslim world and its diverse communities.

It fosters a reflection on the interconnection between religious and political issues, and stimulates the growth of a community of experts at the postdoctoral level.

On successful completion of this programme, you will be able to:

• explain and analyse the historical, social and political interactions that make a globalised Muslim world
• assess and understand the principal modes of governing society in different parts of the Muslim world and the main factors influencing them
• evaluate the different disciplinary approaches to the study of Muslim societies around the world and how they have changed over time
• apply and support arguments using the theoretical and empirical literature from across the social sciences and the humanities
• design a research project on aspects of the globalised Muslim world through a given disciplinary approach

This programme aims to equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to pursue PhD research on a wide variety of Muslim-majority and Muslim-minorities states and societies.

It will also provide you with crucial insights into the interactions producing a globalised Muslim world which would be extremely useful in many professional roles, including:

• global/international/national NGOs
• private sector organisations
• international business
• foreign policy and diplomacy roles

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a relevant discipline.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 176 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 65 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 7 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

• borrowing money

  • taking out a loan

  • family support

• personal savings

• income from work

• employer sponsorship

• scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Scholarships

The Alwaleed Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World is offering a number of £5,000 student scholarships to exceptional applicants for the 2025 to 2026 academic year.

• Find out more on the Alwaleed Centre website

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding