The Hawza Studies Programme consists of three levels and operates on a flexible modular structure: students complete modules in each level at a pace that suits them and accumulate credits along the way. Each module is worth 10 or 20 credits, depending on the number of hours required to complete them. 120 credits are required to pass each level of the programme.

Certificate, Diploma, and Non-Award

To qualify for our Certificate, students must complete both the Hawza Studies and Arabic programmes. This amounts to completing 440 credits in total, i.e. all 80 credits of the Arabic Programme, and all 360 credits of the Hawza Studies Programme.

Certificate students must do Arabic alongside of their Hawza Studies modules. An exception is made for students joining for the first time in Semester 2 (February). Such students must take Arabic in the following September, i.e. in Semester 1 of the new academic year. This is because the Arabic course can only be started in Semester 1.

Certificate students pay half the fees for the modules and can apply for a scholarship by contacting us in strict confidence.

Duration

Students will progress through the 3 levels at different speeds. Typical time frames are as follows:

  • Level 1 (Introductory): 1-2 years
  • Level 2 (Intermediate): 2-4 years
  • Level 3 (Upper): 3-5 years

Each academic year is divided into two 12-week semesters, beginning on the first Monday of September and the first Monday of February, respectively.

Hours

A 10-credit module consists of 26 hours of class contact, and a 20-credit module consists of 48 hours of class contact. ‘Class contact’ refers to sessions that are teacher-led, i.e. lectures and tutorials.

In addition, students will need to set aside time for private study and assessment.

On average, with everything put together (class contact, private study, and assessment), students will require approximately:

  • 5 hours a week to complete each 10-credit module.
  • 10 hours a week to complete each 20-credit module.

To qualify for our Diploma, students must complete 220 credits from the Hawza Studies Programme on its own or in combination with the Arabic Programme.

Diploma students pay full fees for the modules and cannot apply for a scholarship.

Duration

Students will progress through the 3 levels at different speeds. Typical time frames are as follows:

  • Level 1 (Introductory): 1-2 years
  • Level 2 (Intermediate): 2-4 years
  • Level 3 (Upper): 3-5 years

Each academic year is divided into two 12-week semesters, beginning on the first Monday of September and the first Monday of February, respectively.

Hours

A 10-credit module consists of 26 hours of class contact, and a 20-credit module consists of 48 hours of class contact. ‘Class contact’ refers to sessions that are teacher-led, i.e. lectures and tutorials.

In addition, students will need to set aside time for private study and assessment.

On average, with everything put together (class contact, private study, and assessment), students will require approximately:

  • 5 hours a week to complete each 10-credit module.
  • 10 hours a week to complete each 20-credit module.

Non-award students choose individual modules as stand-alone courses.

They pay full fees for the modules and cannot apply for a scholarship.

Duration

Students will progress through the 3 levels at different speeds. Typical time frames are as follows:

  • Level 1 (Introductory): 1-2 years
  • Level 2 (Intermediate): 2-4 years
  • Level 3 (Upper): 3-5 years

Each academic year is divided into two 12-week semesters, beginning on the first Monday of September and the first Monday of February, respectively.

Hours

A 10-credit module consists of 26 hours of class contact, and a 20-credit module consists of 48 hours of class contact. ‘Class contact’ refers to sessions that are teacher-led, i.e. lectures and tutorials.

In addition, students will need to set aside time for private study and assessment.

On average, with everything put together (class contact, private study, and assessment), students will require approximately:

  • 5 hours a week to complete each 10-credit module.
  • 10 hours a week to complete each 20-credit module.

Programme of Study

Lectures are pre-recorded, allowing students to watch them at a time that suits their personal schedules. All lecture notes and presentation slides used by the teachers are made available to students. Essential texts that are not accessible online are provided at no additional cost.
To complement the pre-recorded lectures, live tutorials are held throughout the semester. Each module includes 4 tutorials per semester, offering students ample opportunity to ask questions, engage in discussion, and receive guidance directly from their teachers. These sessions also allow teachers to monitor students’ progress and provide support throughout their learning journey. Please note that tutorials are not recorded.
Flexibility is central to our approach. Students are not required to take all available modules in any given semester. They may enrol in 10 to 60 credits per semester (excluding Arabic), progressing through the programme at a pace that suits them. This applies to all students, whether they pursue the Certificate, Diploma, or Non-award study path.

The tables below illustrate the programme of study undertaken at each level.

Level One

DescriptionCredits
Semester 1
Islamic Theology 120
Islamic Law 120
Islamic Ethics10
Life of the Prophet (s) – Before Hijra10
Total Credits60
Semester 2
Islamic Theology 220
Islamic Law 220
Life of the Prophet (s) – After Hijra10
Logic10
Total Credits60

TOTAL CREDITS FOR LEVEL 1

120 Credits

Level Two

DescriptionCredits
Semester 1
Principles of Jurisprudence20
Qur’anic Sciences10
Hadith Studies10
Arguments and Responses10
Al-Sahifah al-Sajjadiyah and other Supplicatory Texts10
Total Credits60
Semester 2
Introduction to Demonstrative Jurisprudence: Verses on Islamic Law20
Lives of the Imams (a)20
Introduction to Qur’anic Exegesis10
Nahj al-Balaghah10
Total Credits60

TOTAL CREDITS FOR LEVEL 2

120 Credits

Level Three

DescriptionCredits
Semester 1
Demonstrative Jurisprudence20
Sequential Exegesis of the Qur’an20
Narrator Evaluation10
Overview of Islamic Philosophy10
Total Credits60
Semester 2
Jurisprudential Maxims20
Thematic Exegesis of the Qur’an20
Pioneering Muslim Scholars and Their Works10
Readings in Pivotal Jurisprudential Texts10
Total Credits60

TOTAL CREDITS FOR LEVEL 3

120 Credits