Listen LiveʿĀlimiyyah Course Onsite
Introduction
Based on a classical curriculum, this course is designed to help beginners progress from an elementary stage to a very advanced level in Arabic and Islamic Studies. It is a part time course open to both brothers and sisters, taught by qualified ʿulamāʾ and ʿālimāt. Delivered in the English medium with a progressive focus on Arabic, it comprises an in-depth study of the key Islamic disciplines including: Arabic language and literature, Qurʾān, ḥadīth, tafsīr and fiqh.
Course Outline
Years 1-2: naḥw (grammar), ṣarf (morphology), adab (literature), fiqh (jurisprudence)
Years 3-5: Qurʾān translation and tafsīr (exegesis), comparative fiqh, uṣūl al-fiqh (principles of fiqh), ḥadīth, uṣūl al-ḥadīth (principles of ḥadīth), ʿaqīdah (belief)
Years 6-7: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Jāmiʾ al-Tirmidhī, Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Sunan Ibn Mājah and Sunan al-Nasāʾī
Dates and Timings
Course start date: Monday 25th August 2025
Days and timings:
Monday – Thursday: 7pm – 10pm
| Lesson 1 | Lesson 2 | Lesson 3 | Lesson 4 |
| 7pm – 7:45pm | 7:45pm – 8:30pm | 8:30pm – 9:15pm | 9:15pm – 10pm |
Friday: 7pm – 10pm
| Lesson 1 | Break/Ṣalāh | Weekly public lecture by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq |
| 7pm – 8pm | 8pm – 8:30pm | 8:30pm onwards |
Open Day: To be confirmed
Click here to view the Open Day Presentation
Please note that course availability, dates and timings are subject to change.
Requirements
- Minimum entry age: 16 (by course start date)
- Ability to recognise and read vowelled Arabic script (e.g. the Qurʾān), even if it be slowly and without comprehension.
- Enrolment at any point beyond Year 1 of the course is subject to eligibility and assessment.
Fees
Annual course fee: £1,300.
The annual fee may be paid outright at the start of each academic year, or as ten monthly instalments of £130.
FAQs
Q: I’ve submitted my application. What happens next?
Once your application is received, our administration team will contact you to complete your student contract, arrange study materials, and set up your direct debit. Please note there may be a delay due to end-of-year exams and the volume of applications. You can expect confirmation via phone or email during the final two weeks prior to the course start date.
Q: When are the holidays?
Term dates mainly align with school holidays in Leicester, although there may be some differences, and apply to both online and onsite students. You will receive the full academic calendar at the start of the year.
Q: When are the exams?
All students are required to sit two sets of exams each year:
• Mid-Year Assessments: held in the first week of January after the winter break,
contributing 20% to your final grade.
• End-of-Year Assessments: held in July, contributing 80% to your final grade.
Failure in any two subjects, or one core subject, will require repeating the academic year.
Q: Can I complete the course online?
Students living outside Leicester may continue the course online, depending on class sizes. Online classes are available for all 7 years of the course.
Q: Will I receive a certificate upon completion?
While the course is not formally accredited, a graduation ceremony is held upon successful completion of the 7-year ʿĀlimiyyah course to mark your achievement.
Q: I’ve studied elsewhere. Can I join a higher year?
Yes. When applying, please include details of the books and subjects you have studied. You will be required to complete a written entry assessment in naḥw and ṣarf, followed by an interview with a staff member. The final decision as to which year you can join lies with the administration team.