PROGRAMME BENEFITS
- The programme will equip students with essential language tools for advanced Islamic studies, enabling engagement with core subjects taught on our BA(Hons) in Islamic Studies programme.
- The programme will allow students to build a strong foundation in Classical Arabic grammar, developing translation and comprehension skills through guided text readings and vocabulary expansion relevant to Islamic studies.
- The programme focuses on grammar, reading, understanding, and parsing Arabic texts while integrating writing, speaking, listening, and effective dictionary use to support well-rounded language proficiency, including understanding the Qur’an, Hadith and various other Islamic Sciences.
- An opportunity to visit an Arabic speaking country, i.e. Morocco, for 4 weeks during the Easter break. This will provide students with a unique, beneficial and enjoyable opportunity to strengthen their skills through immersion in an authentic Arabic-speaking environment. Please note: This trip is optional and is a separate fee in addition to the tuition fees.
PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the programme, students will have:
1. Learned essential grammatical and morphological principles of Classical Arabic needed for further Islamic studies.
2. Practiced applying these principles to simple and complex Classical Arabic sentences, including sentence parsing (iʿrāb) through various foundational texts.
3. Developed Core Language Proficiency:
a. Be able to read the Qur’an and beginner-level Arabic texts with at least 50% comprehension without a dictionary and most of the content with one.
b. Ability to read beginner-level unvowelled texts with 60% accuracy.
c. Engage in basic conversations in Classical Arabic.
d. Compose short paragraphs in Arabic independently.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE AND ASSESSMENT
Curriculum Design:
Our programme is thoughtfully designed to provide a comprehensive foundation in Classical Arabic through the core and supportive modules introduced strategically throughout the year:
This is a full-time programme, consisting of 22 hours of lectures per week (4-6 hours per day). In addition to classroom learning, students are expected to dedicate a minimum of 6 hours per week outside of lectures to reviewing content and reinforcing their understanding.
Additionally, students are encouraged to engage with our regular research seminars and attend various academic events open to students of the college.
Core (assessed) modules:
These two modules lay the groundwork for foundational Arabic grammar, split into focused components: Nahw (syntax) and Sarf (morphology). Students will use a combination of textbooks, workbooks, and later during the year, start the study of classical Arabic primer, al-Ajrumiyyah. Emphasis is placed on understanding essential grammar principles and learning parsing skills (i’rab), which are indispensable for understanding Arabic texts.
Both the Nahw and the Sarf module have the following assessments:
Summative Assessments:
2 end of term tests (25% each)
End of year exam (50%)
Formative Assessments:
Weekly homework
The Arabic Literature module focuses on applying concepts learnt in Nahw and Sarf to beginner-level literary texts, including works by Kamil Kaylani and Abu Hasan al-Nadwi. Students will also analyse short excerpts from Arabic poetry to deepen their understanding of language in various literary styles. Through practical engagement with these texts, they will enhance their reading, parsing, and translation skills, reinforcing their foundational knowledge in a dynamic, applied setting.
Summative Assessments:
1 translation assignment in term 3 (50%)
End of year exam (50%)
Formative Assessments:
Weekly homework
Introduced in the second half of Term 2, this module focuses on reading and understanding classical Islamic texts. Students will build on their classical Arabic vocabulary learned from Term 1 and begin reading texts like Imam al-Ghazali’s Ayyuhal Walad, Tafsir Jalalayn, and selections from Hadith. Alongside linguistic analysis, students will also engage in discussions on the wider theological themes presented in these texts, providing them with essential conceptual frameworks to build on in the following year. These texts also provide a solid foundation for the materials they will encounter in our BA (Hons) in Islamic Studies programme.
Summative assessments
1 translation and commentary assignment in term 3 (50%)
End of year exam (50%)
Supporting modules:
The programme also includes a series of supporting modules run across the terms and designed to consolidate and support learning, as well as build confidence in speaking Arabic. These modules are not assessed but are compulsory to attend as they reinforce the skills learnt in the core modules.
This module focuses on expanding, and effectively using Arabic vocabulary, an essential yet often overlooked aspect of language acquisition. To ensure steady progress, we have dedicated sessions where instructors individually test students and come up with creative ways to consolidate vocabulary helping them strengthen their vocabulary retention and application.
This module is designed to gradually build confidence and fluency in speaking and understanding Classical Arabic through structured speaking and listening exercises. Students will engage in dedicated listening and speaking activities to strengthen their comprehension skills, enhance their application of vocabulary, and improve pronunciation.
PROGRAMME DATES
Induction: 15 September 2025 – 19 September 2025
Term 1: 22 September 2025 – Friday 12 December 2025
Term 2: 05 January 2026 – Friday 13 March 2026
Term 3: 20 April 2026 – Friday 03 July 2026
TERMS
Students embark on their Arabic language journey through the following core and supportive modules: Nahw (Grammar), Sarf (Morphology), Speaking & Listening, Vocabulary and Grammar Skills.
Immersed in an Arabic study environment, they begin building a strong foundation for their linguistic development.
Building on Term 1’s progress, students take an exciting step forward with the introduction of the Arabic Literature module. Here, students will engage with longer texts such as Abu Hasan al-Nadwi’s Qasas al-Nabiyeen to apply and consolidate skills learnt in Nahw and Sarf study. It is in this module that students develop, apply and contextualise their parsing skills.
In the second half of the term, we introduce the Classical Islamic Texts module where students study selections form Hadith and Tafsir. After completing term 2, students have the opportunity to take an organised optional trip for 4 weeks to study institute in Morocco where they will be immersed in an Arabic speaking environment to practice their skills. Please note: This trip is optional and is a separate fee in addition to the tuition fees.
As students near the end of their programme, they refine their skills in preparation for final exams and transition to BA-level studies.
This term focuses on completing their nahw and sarf study, parsing Qur’anic surahs, being introduced to Arabic poetry, and beginning to build mastery in reading unvowelled texts. With their immersion experience behind them, students put their learning to the test, ensuring a strong foundation for the next stage of their Arabic studies on our BA (Hons) Islamic Studies Programme.
FACULTY
Programme Lead, Arabic
Dr Aaminah Patel is a Teaching Fellow in Arabic at Cambridge Muslim College. She has over a decade of experience in teaching and studying Arabic and the Islamic sciences; she received her training in Arabic in Jordan and Mauritania, as well as at institutes in the UK. Her research focuses on the story of Adam in classical tafsir, exploring how exegetes reconcile the theological tension between prophetic infallibility and the common narrative of Adam ‘sinning’ or ‘falling from grace.’ Her work offers a nuanced perspective on the reconciliation of these concepts within Islamic intellectual history. Aaminah’s research interests include Prophethood in Islam, Sufi themes in Shakespearean tragedy, Shi’i and Sunni theological perspectives on infallibility, and the development of Qur’anic exegesis.
Programme Lead, BA (Hons) Islamic Studies
Dr Salman Younas’ research focuses on Islamic law in the classical and modern periods. Dr Younas graduated from Stony Brook University with a degree in Political Science and Religious Studies. After completing his undergraduate degree, he moved to the Middle East where he spent half a decade studying Arabic and the traditional Islamic sciences. In 2013, Dr Younas completed his MA in Oriental Studies from the University of Oxford with honours. He then went on to complete a DPhil in Oriental Studies from the University of Oxford in 2018. He was previously a researcher at the Oxford Department of International Development and the Hamad bin Jassim Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies.
FURTHER INFORMATION
- Minimum age of 18 years at the point of enrolment.
- UK citizenship or permanent resident status (non-EU nationals must have relevant visa status).
- Two references sent directly to Admissions department, please see referee guide for further information.
Academic Criteria
- Successful completion of at least three B grades at Advanced ‘A-Level qualifications, or equivalent.
- At least 5 GCSEs at grade 4 (C grade), or above, including English.
English Language Skills
- If English is not your first language, you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 6.0 (Academic level) or equivalent English Language qualification.
- Exemption for English speakers from UK Visas and Immigration list of English-speaking countries.
If you possess a transcript confirming that your higher education course was both taught and assessed in English, you are exempt from taking an English language proficiency test.
Arabic Language Requirement:
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- Be able to read the Arabic script, i.e. the Quran, or vowelised Arabic text e.g:
سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ: ” إنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ، وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى، فَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ إلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ فَهِجْرَتُهُ إلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ، وَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ لِدُنْيَا يُصِيبُهَا أَوْ امْرَأَةٍ يَنْكِحُهَا فَهِجْرَتُهُ إلَى مَا هَاجَرَ إلَيْهِ
- Have a basic proficiency in writing Arabic script.
Students are not expected to understand or translate Arabic text or have a prior knowledge of Arabic grammar or vocabulary.
Applicants who do not meet some or all the above language requirements may be admitted to the programme, however, they must participate in an intensive course, offered by the college, and designed to teach Arabic reading and writing. The course will be specifically tailored for students with no prior experience in the Arabic script, it will run for one month prior to the classical Arabic programme. More details will follow during the application process.
Commitment Level: full time, face-to-face, Cambridge Muslim College.
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Admissions have not yet opened but you can register your interest here to be notified.
Fees
Tuition fees for the Classical Arabic programme is £6,000. Successful candidates must confirm their place on the programme with a one-off non-refundable deposit of £450. As per Terms & Conditions, there is a cooling off period of 14 days.
Once committed to the programme, students can pay for their fees in one-lump sum, or over three equal instalments, paid termly.
The organised immersion trip to Morocco is exclusively available to CMC students and does not cover any core content. It is offered as an enrichment opportunity, with an estimated cost of approximately £2,000 in addition to tuition fees (not including flights). The final cost will be confirmed by September 2024, and more information will be available in due course.
On-site programme instruction over three terms of study.
The fees do not cover costs pertaining to the four week international Arabic-language immersion experience at the end of the academic year. This is an optional add-on and costs will be incurred by students who choose to partake of the opportunity.
- Some scholarships and bursaries are available, subject to aptitude and financial means testing.
- The College endeavours to support successful students, regardless of their financial situation, and it is with emphasis we state that one’s financial need will not impact the admissions process.
- We work closely with individuals and institutions who are keen on funding students of knowledge.
- Students will be able to apply for financial assistance once they are offered a place on the Classical Arabic programme.
- Offer holders will be asked to complete a financial aid application which will be assessed before a decision on the level of assistance (if any) is made.
- The Classical Arabic programme has been designed to help students meet the level of Arabic-language proficiency required to pursue our BA (Hons) in Islamic Studies. Students who are set to pursue our BA programme after completing our 1-year Classical Arabic programme will be given priority when applying for scholarships and bursaries.
- For further information about scholarships and bursaries email: admissions@cambridgemuslimcollege.ac.uk.
A link to an online application portal to complete the application form and upload all relevant documents will be available soon.
References
Referees will need to send their letters directly to Admissions department, please see referee guide for further information.
Application Guidance
All applicants should read the below documents carefully and send a copy of the Reference Guidance Notes to their referees.
- The College can provide limited single gender accommodation in shared housing, on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information please see our accommodation page.
Eligibility
- When can I apply? Admissions are not yet open but you can register your interest.
- I am an international student, can I apply?
Unfortunately, the College is currently only able to accept UK nationals and EU nationals who have been accepted onto EU Settlement Scheme. Non-EU nationals can only be considered if they already have the relevant visa status demonstrating the right to full-time study in the UK. Such evidence must be shown and discussed at the time of application, and again at the interview. - I am a mature student (over 21), can I apply?
Yes, we welcome applicants from mature students and value the life and practical experience they bring.
Finance & Accommodation
- Does the College provide accommodation for couples or families with children?
No, the College does not provide accommodation for couples or families with children. The College can provide limited single-sex accommodation in shared housing, on a first-come, first-served basis. - How do I apply for financial assistance?
You can apply for finance after you have been offered a place on the Classical Arabic programme. The admissions team will send you the application form and further details. - What information will I need to provide?
You will be asked to provide details of income and expenditure for main household earner. This may be you, your parent(s), or other family member who is responsible for your household. - What is the expected living cost in Cambridge?
We estimate living costs for a Cambridge Muslim College student to be in the region of £350 – £400* a month, excluding accommodation. *Subject change in prices over time.
About the Programme
- How many students are expected to be on the programme?
There will be up to 20 students in the Classical Arabic 2025-2026 cohort. - What is the average class time per week?
22 lecture hours per week, 4-6 hours per day.
Visiting & Interviews
- Can I come and visit the College before applying?
The College holds Open Days where you can visit the College to meet faculty and current students. Registration is required. - Will I need to come into the College for an interview?
If your application is shortlisted, you will be notified and invited to attend an in-person interview.
Any questions? Get in touch by email: admissions@cambridgemuslimcollege.ac.uk