Islamic Studies

Islamic studies is the scholarly examination of Islam as a religion, civilisation, and living tradition. It engages with the Quran and Hadith as foundational texts, Islamic theology and philosophy, Islamic law and jurisprudence, Sufism and Islamic spirituality, Islamic history from the seventh century to the present, and the diversity of Muslim communities and practices across the world. The discipline requires both linguistic competence in Arabic and a capacity for rigorous critical analysis rooted in the methodologies of the humanities and social sciences.

At the University of Edinburgh, this four-year, full-time programme follows the Scottish honours structure and is taught within one of the UK's leading departments for the study of religion and the Islamic world. You will develop reading knowledge of classical and modern Arabic alongside a sophisticated understanding of Islamic thought, history, and practice. The programme takes Islamic civilisation seriously in its own terms, engaging with the intellectual traditions of Muslim scholars from the classical period through to contemporary Islamic thought, including debates about modernity, gender, politics, and interfaith relations.

Edinburgh's diverse student community and its international research connections give the degree a genuine global dimension.

The programme includes a year abroad, which may involve study at an Arabic-speaking institution or at a partner university with strong Islamic studies provision, deepening both your linguistic skills and your cultural understanding.

Graduates from Islamic studies programmes work in journalism, government, international organisations, education, interfaith dialogue, the charity and development sector, and cultural institutions. Arabic language competence opens routes in diplomacy, translation, business, and intelligence analysis. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in Islamic studies, Middle Eastern studies, theology, anthropology, or area studies.

The combination of textual expertise with cultural literacy is particularly valuable at a time when nuanced understanding of Islam and Muslim communities is in demand across many fields.