Common questions

The Arabic Light course runs for two academic years (weekends). The Arabic Intensive is a one-year weekday course. Both paths lead directly into the ʿĀlimiyyah Programme, which continues for five further years.

Timetables vary by course. Please see each programme’s page for full details: Arabic Light, Arabic Intensive, ʿĀlimiyyah Programme, Qurʾān Programme.

Entry to the ʿĀlimiyyah Programme (Years II to VI) requires a strong foundation in Arabic and the core sciences. This is typically demonstrated by completion of our two-year Arabic Light or one-year Arabic Intensive programmes. Applicants who have studied elsewhere must successfully complete our placement process to ensure they have the requisite knowledge to begin Year II.

A one-off admission and books fee of £150 applies for all new students, covering registration and core texts. Tuition fees are listed on each programme’s page: Arabic Light, Arabic Intensive, ʿĀlimiyyah Programme, Qurʾān Programme. Tuition is charged for the full academic year and may be paid in three termly instalments; paying the year in full carries a discount. If a student leaves before the end of the year, the full year’s fees remain payable.

Yes. A household discount applies when more than one member of a household enrols, whether siblings or a parent studying alongside a child. It reduces the fee by at least 10%; the exact rates are listed under “Household rates” on each programme page, and confirmed at enrolment. To qualify, each enrolled member must maintain a minimum of 95% attendance.

No student is turned away for want of means. If fees are a difficulty, please contact us in confidence and we will arrange what we can. Support is settled case by case, and we will ask you to complete a short application form.

Yes. Assessment is an integral part of the programmes. Core subjects include a mid-year exam and an end-of-year exam to measure understanding and progress.

Most subjects set one task per week. Homework prepares you for class and consolidates learning. Students are encouraged to dedicate part of their weekends to revision.

The part-time schedule is designed to be manageable alongside a professional life, but the programme is academically demanding and requires consistent commitment. Many past students have balanced their studies with full-time work or university courses through careful time management.

All teaching takes place in person at our Whitechapel campus, Myrdle Street, London E1 1HL. Sessions run on weekday evenings and at weekends; timings vary by programme.

The ʿĀlimiyyah Programme is delivered exclusively on-site. From the very beginning, Islam was learned directly: the Prophet ﷺ taught the Ṣaḥābah raḍiya Allāh ʿanhum, who taught the Tābiʿīn, who taught the generations after: an unbroken chain of face-to-face transmission carried by the ʿulamāʾ across every era. Our model follows this prophetic path: direct mentorship, personal guidance, and the cultivation of a scholarly community remain at the heart of our teaching.

The programme provides a robust system for academic and spiritual development:

• Academic guidance: Instructors are accessible for questions and discussion through dedicated Google Chat groups, ensuring timely clarification on course material.
• Pastoral and tarbiyyah support: All students are assigned to small, mixed-year form groups with a dedicated tutor. These groups meet weekly for tarbiyyah sessions, providing a supportive environment for mentorship and character building.
• Community: Regular assemblies focus on tarbiyyah and foster a strong sense of community amongst students and faculty.

The programme is academically rigorous and requires a significant commitment of time and intellectual energy. We look for students who are highly motivated, intellectually curious, and prepared to engage deeply with classical and contemporary texts. A sincere desire to study and serve is the key attribute of our most successful students.