Studying at the Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations (AKU-ISMC) means that you are part of a small but diverse student body in the heart of one of the greatest cities in the world. Both academically and personally, opportunities for growth are endless and student life at the Institute is vibrant and enjoyable.

The Institute’s Student Affairs Office deals with all matters related to student life on campus, not covered within the formal course of instruction. The office is responsible for admissions, advisory services, counseling, financial assistance, extra-curricular activities, accommodation, health and special needs, student and alumni records and other aspects of student life.

Each student will be assigned a faculty advisor. Students are encouraged to consult their advisors for guidance, advice and support on academic issues.

In order to facilitate the next steps in the lives of the Institute’s graduates, career guidance is offered to students. Careers advice is friendly and impartial. Additionally, the Institute makes an effort to create opportunities for students to network with individuals and institutions where job openings may exist.

Orientation Week

Before the start of the academic year, students participate in a one week orientation. This essential preparatory session includes introductory academic sessions, familiarisation with the Institute’s and London’s academic resources and an introduction to the cultural attractions of the city.

During the orientation period students have the opportunity to meet informally with the Institute’s faculty and staff and to become familiar with London. Course participants also participate in organised tours and social activities. In 2007, the students participated in an excursion to Canterbury, a tour of London as well as guided tours of the British Museum and British Library. Learn more about Orientation Week 2008, Orientation Week 2007 and Orientation Week 2006.

Co-curricular Activities

Cultural events, field-trips and academic seminars all contribute to a vibrant student life at AKU-ISMC.

In November 2008, a group of first year students attended a short course at the Faculté Libre de Théologie Protestante in Paris. During the two-year programme, students participate in courses at various institutions around the world. By attending seminars and workshops hosted by partner institutions, students are exposed to a wide range of ideas and teaching methods.

In April 2008 a group of students participated in an academic excursion to Istanbul as part of their course on Material Cultures. During the field visit, students participated in tours of Istanbul, paying particular attention to the architecture and topography of the city.

Students have participated in range of academic excursions, including a field trip to Leighton House Museum at Holland Park in London. The museum was the home of nineteenth century artist Frederic Leighton, and provides a perspective on orientalism and the development of private collections, one element in the formation of Islamic art. In October 2008, students visited Sotheby's and Christie's in London, attending the exhibitions Islamic Works of Art and Textiles and Art of The Islamic And Indian Worlds at Christie’s.

Students often participate in field-trips to other parts of the United Kingdom organised by the Institute. In summer 2008, first year students participated in an excursion to Edinburgh and Glasgow. In previous years, students have visited Cardiff, York, Cambridge and Edinburgh.

In addition to academic excursions, students are given the opportunity to participate in lectures by prominent guest speakers from London and around the world. The Institute has hosted guest lectures on material cultures by Professor Doris Behrens-Abouseif (SOAS) and Professor John Carswell, the former Director of the Department of the Department of Islamic Works of Art at Sotheby's, London. In addition, the Institute hosted a guest lecture by Dr Colin Baker of the British Library about the diversity of Islamic calligraphy.

Such lectures allow students to interact with key thinkers, making theories learnt in the classroom tangible and interactive.

The Institute arranges a wide variety of cultural events for MA students throughout the year. In 2008 the Institute hosted a guest lecture by internationally and critically acclaimed Iranian film director and screenwriter Rakhshan Bani-Etemad. In November 2007 a number of MA students participated in the Victoria and Albert museum's Festival of Light, a festival celebrating the importance of light across a diverse range of world cultures.

Language Immersion Programme

As part of their language training, during the summer of their first year, students travel to a relevant country to take part in a four-week intensive language immersion programme.

This important feature of the MA exposes students to cultures, communities and ways of life different from their own. It helps them to experience language in its social and lived dimensions while furthering their understanding of diversity and pluralism.

In previous years, students learning Arabic have gone to Tunisia (Institut Bourguiba Pour les Langues Vivantes) and those learning Farsi to Iran. Classes are held in Arabic or Farsi on subject matter as diverse as cooking and music. Read more about the 2008 Language Immersion Programme and the 2007 Language Immersion Programme.

Student Representative Body

Students at AKU-ISMC have a student representative body that meets to discuss the needs of students and engage, where appropriate, with relevant faculty and staff in order to share their ideas and concerns in an open and transparent way.

Elected each term, the student representative body provides a good opportunity for students to exercise important leadership skills in an academic environment.

Accommodation

Student accommodation is coordinated through the Student Affairs Office.

Cost of Living

London is one of the great capital cities of the world. As a result, the cost of living tends to be higher than that experienced in many other countries. Students are advised to budget approximately £1,000 per month to cover the cost of their accommodation, subsistence and other expenses.