CIS Admission Requirements
Admission & Application Requirements
Applicants seeking admission to the graduate programs at the College of Islamic Studies should have a strong academic record (minimum 3.0 GPA out of 4.0) from a recognized university.
Applicants to the masters programs should have a bachelor’s degree while applicants to the PhD program should have a master’s degree.
PhD applicants must demonstrate strong evidence that they possess the qualities to become successful researchers and professionals. This includes outstanding performance in relevant coursework, as well as a proven track record of high motivation and commitment to innovative and original research. Applicants with prior research and work experience in financial services and related fields are preferred.
| Program | Required Field of Study | Language Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Program: MA in Contemporary Islamic Studies: Specialization in Contemporary Islamic Thought |
Required Field of Study: Islamic Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, Religious Studies; or relatable areas within the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences with appropriate experience. | Language Requirements: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 79 Further details about the language proficiency requirement and the process to seek exemption (where this is an option) are available below. |
| Program: MA in Contemporary Islamic Studies: Specialization in Fiqh and Society |
Required Field of Study: Shari’a, Fiqh, Usul al-Fiqh, or a related area within Islamic Studies, Usul al-Din and Qanun. | Language Requirements: Must demonstrate proficiency in Arabic through studies (e.g. completing an undergraduate degree in which the language of instruction was Arabic or by completing a proficiency examination offered by CIS) In addition, students need to prove their English language proficiency by providing a score equivalent to: TOEFL 35-45 or IELTS 5. Exemption is possible if applicants have studied in English. |
| Program: MA in Islam and Global Affairs | Required Field of Study: All fields | Language Requirements: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 79 Further details about the language proficiency requirement and the process to seek exemption (where this is an option) are available below. |
| Program: MA in Applied Islamic Ethics | ||
| Program: PhD in Islamic Finance and Economy | Required Field of Study: Economics, Business, Finance, Accounting, Shari’a, or a related field | Language Requirements: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 79 Further details about the language proficiency requirement and the process to seek exemption (where this is an option) are available below. |
| Program: MS in Islamic Finance | ||
| Program: MS in Islamic Art, Architecture and Urbanism |
Required Field of Study: Art, History, Archeology, Interior Architecture/Design, Architecture, and Urban Planning | Language Requirements: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 79 Further details about the language proficiency requirement and the process to seek exemption (where this is an option) are available below. |
Applicants can be exempt from the language proficiency requirement if they meet one of the conditions listed below:
- The applicant completed their studies at a university in a country where English is the native language
- The applicant provides an official letter confirming that they obtained their degree from a university where the medium of instruction is English (if not otherwise exempt)
- The applicant's first language is English
Application
The online application form can be accessed here.
Please note that this application is for admissions only. Information on how to apply for funding (where this is an option) is provided to students who have been admitted to the program.
It is the applicant's responsibility to submit all required documents at the time of application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Academic transcripts
Official electronic copies of transcripts should be submitted as part of the online application. Final transcripts and graduation statements are required for all previous university studies. All transcripts submitted should include an explanation of the grading system.
For those who have not completed their current studies, transcripts must include results from the last completed semester of coursework. Transcripts in languages other than English or Arabic must be accompanied with an official translation.
Applicants who are admitted to the program based on incomplete or copies of transcripts will be required to provide original transcripts upon enrollment in order to register for courses.
Standardized test results
Official copies (where required) must be sent directly to HBKU. Please refer to the institutional codes below:
- GRE: 7551
- TOEFL: 4981
- IELTS: No code required. Students should ask the IELTS center where they tested to send the IELTS TRF to Hamad Bin Khalifa University
Applicants should also submit copies of their test scores with the online application.
Letters of recommendation
Applicants should submit two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from an academic referee. Applicants will find the link to the recommendation form in the online admission application.
Personal statement of interest
Applicants should submit a personal statement as part of the online application. The statement should explain why the candidate is applying to the program, and how their studies will contribute to the achievement of their personal objectives, including information about the applicant’s research interests and achievements (minimum of 300, maximum of 500 words).
Applicants to the Master of Arts in Contemporary Islamic Studies who intend to pursue a concentration in Fiqh and Society should submit their personal statement in Arabic.
Personal statements which are incomplete or below the minimum word count will not be accepted.
Resume/curriculum vitae
Applicants should submit a copy of their current resume or curriculum vitae as part of the online application.
This should include the following information:
- Academic Qualifications
- Professional Experience
- Publications
- Research Projects
- Academic Awards or Honors
- Conference Presentations
Identification document
All applicants should submit an electronic copy of their passport as part of the online application. Nationals and residents of Qatar should also submit their valid Qatari ID.
Student Funding
The College of Islamic Studies provides opportunities for scholarships and funding on a competitive basis. Further information will be provided to applicants who are admitted to the program.
Admission inquiries
- Please do not submit any additional application materials which are not on the list of required items. Any additional materials received will be automatically discarded.
- HBKU cannot return documents to the applicant once they are submitted.
- All documents submitted through the online application must be in PDF format. Any documents submitted in a different format will not be accepted.
- Application deadline for international applicants: February 1, 2022
- Application deadline for nationals and residents of Qatar: March 15, 2022
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