February 2008/09 (web only)
Issues paper
This report is for information
Islamic studies
Trends and profiles
This report summarises the characteristics of Islamic studies provision, at higher education level, within the UK between 2002-03 and 2005-06 and the students that undertake such courses.
| To: | Heads of HEFCE-funded higher education institutions Heads of higher education institutions in Northern Ireland |
|---|---|
| Of interest to those responsible for: | Teaching and researching Islamic Studies; Interfaith relations; Strategic planning |
| Reference: | 2008/09 |
| Publication date: | February 2008 |
| Enquiries to: | Ellie Freeman Paul Hazell |
Executive summary (read online)
Executive summary
Purpose
1. This report summarises the characteristics of Islamic studies provision, at higher education level, within the UK between 2002-03 and 2005-06 and the students that undertake such courses. Underpinning this report are data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) and the National Student Survey. The HESA data are based on individualised student records which contain student attributes, whereas the National Student Survey data are created from feedback given by final year undergraduates on their student experience.
Key points
2. The analysis is intended to give an indicative overview of Islamic studies provision within UK higher education institution, in order to provide a context to HEFCE's work going forward. The data provide only an incomplete picture of the range and scope of Islamic studies provision in the UK. There are two main reasons for this:
- Data returned to HESA by universities allow us to identify students studying named Islamic studies courses but not those studying other courses with some Islamic studies content.
- Students undertaking courses or programmes in Islamic studies may be reported as undertaking theology and religious studies; international relations; area studies; or sociology - in fact Islamic studies can be found, and studied, within the broad range of disciplines and approaches in the social sciences and humanities. If Islamic studies students are reported to HESA as having undertaken sociology, say, we will be unable to identify them except where Islamic studies is named as a component of their course (for example 'Islam and international relations').
Nevertheless, the data underpinning this report are the best data currently available to HEFCE or any other agency in the UK.
3. With all this in mind, we find that:
- Across the UK the number of students on Islamic studies programmes rose by 12 per cent between 2002-03 and 2005-06. This compares to a 7 per cent rise across all subjects of study . A total of 635 students were studying Islamic studies (across all years of study) in 2005-06, 188 of these at first degree level.
- From the 2005-06 cohort, we conclude that undergraduate students are mainly female and postgraduate students are mainly male. Most of the male postgraduates had not studied the subject before and most of them had not previously studied in UK higher education (HE). Of the 173 male postgraduate students in 2005-06, we find that, prior to commencing their study, 36 per cent had undertaken previous study on non-Islamic studies programmes at an earlier date; 21 per cent were not domiciled in the UK or their highest qualification was from outside the UK.
- In the academic year 2005-06, the course with the most postgraduate students is Arabic and Islamic studies at University of Exeter (53 students). Amongst first degree programmes, Islamic studies at University of Birmingham has the most students (62 students).
- Forty-three per cent of students studying Islamic studies programmes were identified as Asian/Asian British. This compares with the 8 per cent of students across all subjects of study and 5 per cent for subjects related to Islamic studies, in the academic year 2005-06.
- From the National Student Survey, we find that there were only 72 responses from those studying Islamic studies across the three years of the survey so it is difficult to draw any robust conclusions. This compares with 2,571 responses from students studying theology and religious studies. With the small response rate for Islamic studies in mind, we find that those on Islamic studies programmes have lower overall satisfaction than students studying historical and philosophical studies - an overall satisfaction rating of 3.83 versus 4.47.
- When we look at Islamic studies across the regions and countries of the United Kingdom, we find that the Midlands has 25 per cent of total provision (158 students across all levels of study) while the London region has 16 per cent of the UK's total provision. Scotland and Wales have the largest proportion of Islamic studies postgraduate students: 82 students, or 29 per cent of the UK's total postgraduate provision.
- There is an interesting link between level and mode of study: 'other' undergraduate provision (certificates, diplomas, Higher National Diplomas and Certificates (HNDs, HNCs), foundation degrees and institutional credits) is predominantly studied part-time (93 per cent), whereas at first degree level virtually all students study full-time (98 per cent of students).
- The data do not show us the levels of staffing in the subject as this is not recorded to the level needed for an accurate analysis.
- Relatively few students with a first degree in Islamic studies responded to the Destination of Leavers from Higher Education survey - around 50 each year over the years 2002-03 to 2005-06. Such small numbers make it difficult to draw any reliable conclusions from the data. Because of this we have not undertaken any further analysis considering, for example, employment status six months after graduation or whether Islamic studies is required for employment.
Action required
4. This report is for information.