The Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS)

The Institute of Ismaili Studies, founded by His Highness the Aga Khan, promotes scholarship and learning on Islam, with an emphasis on Shi‘ism in general and its Ismaili tariqah in particular, and a better understanding of their relationship with other faiths and societies. Its programmes, informed by the full range of diversity within Islam, explore the relationship of religious ideas to broader dimensions of society and culture, paying particular attention to issues of modernity. It also encourages an interdisciplinary approach to the study of Islamic history and thought. In pursuit of its objectives, the Institute collaborates with other institutions of learning.

The IIS offers a limited number of Research Fellowships each year. For further information on these please view relevant pages on this website under Research. In addition, the Institute also offers limited support, both academic and financial, to some graduate and postgraduate students whose area of research is closely connected with the Institute’s research interests. Students planning to enter fields of interest to the IIS are encouraged to get in touch with the Institute early on in their research programme.

The IIS is a research institute and does not at present award any academic degrees of its own. However, the Institute does collaborate with a number of reputed institutions of higher learning in the United Kingdom in offering graduate-level academic programmes. Upon completion of requisite courses and fulfilment of other university requirements, students receive academic credentials from these universities.

Academic Papers

The academic staff at the Institute periodically contribute articles in encyclopaedias and learned journals in their areas of interest and expertise. Their publication in academic journals represents a recognition in the specific field concerned, of their scholarly endeavour. As with generally accepted practice, in all universities and higher institutions of learning, such publications reflect individual interests, research, and conclusions, open to discussion and debate in the scholarly community. This process ensures ongoing research and new questions and conclusions in the light of ever-growing evidence and argument.

Like all academic publications, the Institute's output must be seen in this perspective, and it is especially important to note that because of their individual authorship, the articles must not be seen as necessarily reflecting the Institute's thinking or perspectives.

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The Institute of Ismaili Studies, founded by Aga Khan, promotes scholarship and learning on Islam, with an emphasis on Shi‘ism in general and its Ismaili tariqah in particular, and a better understanding of their relationship with other faiths and societies. Its programmes, informed by the full range of diversity within Islam, explore the relationship of religious ideas to broader dimensions of society and culture, paying particular attention to issues of modernity. It also encourages an interdisciplinary approach to the study of Islamic history and thought. In pursuit of its objectives, the Institute collaborates with other institutions of learning."

The IIS accepted 11 new students into itsGraduate Programme in Islamic Studies and Humanities (GPISH) this year. TheClass of 2009, comprising students from Canada, India, Iran, Pakistan, Portugal, Tajikistan and the USA, will embark on an intensive two-year multi-disciplinary study of the faith, culture, language and thought of Muslim societies.More

Introduction to Graduate Studies

The Institute offers aGraduate programme in Islamic Studies and Humanities which attracts students from world-wide Ismaili communities. This is an inter-disciplinary programme of postgraduate instruction in the faith, thought, and culture of Muslim societies, in historical as well as contemporary contexts.

The Programme is of three years' duration and includes a one-year course at a British University. Successful completion of the university course leads to a Master's qualification from the university and can also lead to further postgraudate study through the IIS'Doctoral Scholarship Programme.

In addition, Graduate Studies offersother programmes for current and prospective students in different parts of the world.

Doctoral Scholarship Programme

The Institute awards doctoral scholarships each year to suitable candidates. Preference is given to those applicants who have completed the Institute’s three yearGraduate Programme in Islamic Studies and Humanities and who are interested in pursuing careers in Islamic studies.

More specifically, the doctoral scholarship programme aims (1) to encourage the study of certain neglected areas of Islamic and related studies, such as Qur’anic studies and (2) to foster a community of scholars in the areas of interest to the IIS.

This award is made in recognition of academic distinction and therefore particular attention is given to the applicants’ past academic record and future potential.

Application form for Ph.D. Scholarship

Scholarships are granted for the entire duration of the degree course for which a student has applied, normally a three-year period. However, the annual renewal of the award is conditional upon the student’s satisfactory academic progress, which is monitored closely.

In recent years, doctoral scholarships have been awarded to the following students:

Graduate Programme in Islamic Studies and Humanities

While providing for core competencies, the Graduate Programme is inter-disciplinary in structure and content. The course normally lasts three years and includes a one-year programme at a British university. Completion of the course results in students obtaining a Master’s degree through an accredited university.

The first year of the Programme offers students introductory thematic courses:

·  Arabic language study; depending on prior knowledge, students are trained in the Arabic language and Arabic texts, including participation in a Summer Arabic Programme.

·  Introduction to the History of Islam; exposes students to key events and overall patterns in the history of Islam.

·  Introduction to the Study of Religion; introduces students to intellectual methods in the study of religion.

·  Historiography and Intellectual History; introduces students to issues and methods in the study of history and their bearing, specifically, on the intellectual and cultural history of Islam.

The second year consists of more specialised courses in Islamic Studies and Humanities including a number of courses on Ismaili Studies and a continued commitment to language learning. Courses usually include:

·  Advanced Arabic Study; continued training from first year.

·  Persian Language Study; depending on prior knowledge, students are trained in the Persian language and Persian texts.

·  Themes in Ismaili Studies; exposes students to Ismaili history and literary traditions.

·  Themes in Philosophical Culture; challenges students to consider philosophical thought and related issues such as modernity and ethics.

Additional and replacement courses may be offered in any particular year.

The final year is spent studying for a Master’s degree in a subject relating to Islamic Studies and/or the Humanities at a degree-awarding university.

Interested candidates can emailstudentaffairs@iis.ac.uk to request an application form. Graduate Studies is currently accepting applications for the 2006 study cycle,deadline for receipt of all applications is January 31, 2006.

Graduate Programme in Islamic Studies and Humanities

While providing for core competencies, the Graduate Programme is inter-disciplinary in structure and content. The course normally lasts three years and includes a one-year programme at a British university. Completion of the course results in students obtaining a Master’s degree through an accredited university.

The first year of the Programme offers students introductory thematic courses:

·  Arabic language study; depending on prior knowledge, students are trained in the Arabic language and Arabic texts, including participation in a Summer Arabic Programme.

·  Introduction to the History of Islam; exposes students to key events and overall patterns in the history of Islam.

·  Introduction to the Study of Religion; introduces students to intellectual methods in the study of religion.

·  Historiography and Intellectual History; introduces students to issues and methods in the study of history and their bearing, specifically, on the intellectual and cultural history of Islam.

The second year consists of more specialised courses in Islamic Studies and Humanities including a number of courses on Ismaili Studies and a continued commitment to language learning. Courses usually include:

·  Advanced Arabic Study; continued training from first year.

·  Persian Language Study; depending on prior knowledge, students are trained in the Persian language and Persian texts.

·  Themes in Ismaili Studies; exposes students to Ismaili history and literary traditions.

·  Themes in Philosophical Culture; challenges students to consider philosophical thought and related issues such as modernity and ethics.

Additional and replacement courses may be offered in any particular year.

The final year is spent studying for a Master’s degree in a subject relating to Islamic Studies and/or the Humanities at a degree-awarding university.

Interested candidates can emailstudentaffairs@iis.ac.uk to request an application form. Graduate Studies is currently accepting applications for the 2006 study cycle,deadline for receipt of all applications is January 31, 2006.

The Web Site of "The Institute of Ismaili Studies" provides information on the research institute, located in London, which focuses on the Ismaili community and its culture. It offers a graduate programme in Islamic Studies and Humanities, as well as a doctoral programme, in collaboration with various British universities. The Web Site is an excellent resource for those studying or wanting to find out more about the history of the Ismaili community - the second largest Shia community in the Muslim world. Members of its communities inhabit over twenty countries.

The institute serves its own community, by providing various religious and cultural programmes, as well as lifelong learning, and academic seminars, conferences and public lectures. Recognised as one of the leading centres for studies in this field, the institute commissions publications, translations, and research by both internal and external scholars. The site provides a good guide to available resources in English.

An extremely useful feature of the site is the glossary, which provides explanations of terms used. The site is in French, English, Farsi (Persian), and Arabic, and there are plans for a Russian version. It features a short biography of the community's Imam and leader - His Highness the Aga Khan. The site is very easy to navigate (aided by a search facility and site guide) and features the following sections: research; graduate studies; learning; library; publications; news and events; and contact details.

The Institute of Ismaili Studies, founded byAga Khan, promotes scholarship and learning onIslam, with an emphasis onShi‘ism in general and itsIsmailitariqah in particular, and a better understanding of their relationship with other faiths and societies. Its programmes, informed by the full range of diversity within Islam, explore the relationship of religious ideas to broader dimensions of society and culture, paying particular attention to issues of modernity. It also encourages an interdisciplinary approach to the study of Islamic history and thought. In pursuit of its objectives, the Institute collaborates with other institutions of learning."