DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (ACADEMY OF ISLAMIC STUDIES) (RESEARCH)

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

Programme Overview

This is a pure research programme and there are no course modules for this programme. Candidates are required to attend and pass the Research Methodology course within the first two semesters of candidature and all the graduation requirements before being conferred the Degree. The medium of thesis is in Malay or English, or Arabic, but under special circumstances, the Senate may approve the use of a language other than Malay, English or Arabic for the thesis concerned.

The candidates will carry out focused research in their area of specialization, which is of immediate relevance to local interest. They will be alert to the challenges faced in the international arena through the seminars, conferences and many more.

Students may also choose to undertake research in the one of the following areas of specialization:

• Fiqh and Usul Fiqh

• Aqidah and Islamic Thought

• Shariah Law and Comparative Law

• Da’wah and Human Development

• Islamic Economy and Comparative Economy

• Islamic History and Civilization

• Islamic Management and Islamic Finance

• Islamic Education

• Siasah Syar’iyyah and Islamic Governance

• Islamic Studies with Science

• Al-Quran and Al-Hadith

• Islam and Social Sciences

The programme offers its students a chance to explore the many facets of the Islamic Shariah by fusing it with a broad spectrum of other subjects such as Law, Economics, Management, Politics and even Astronomy. The dynamic and fast paced developing world calls for the need of more and more Islamic scholars. Needless to say, this programme is UM’s in response to that particular need. All-encompassing and in-depth, the programme offers a detailed look on the Islamic principles and thinking in order to produce analytical graduates who will undoubtedly heed the call for their religion and their nation.

Full-Time Duration: 6 Semesters (Research)

Programme Structure

IVX8001 - Research Methodology**
IVA8002 - Thesis (Must be registered every semester until thesis is submitted)
Additional Courses (If only stated in the offer letter)
TXGZ6102 - Basic of Malaysia Language** (For international candidates only)
IELTS/TOEFL**(For international candidates who are writing their thesis in Arabic/Malay language only)

Note: **exemption for these courses can be applied to the faculty if the candidates already take/pass in the previous university (with proof)

Career Prospects

University Professor in Islamic Studies, Senior Islamic Researcher, Principal Investigator in Islamic Research, Director of Islamic Studies Programs, Islamic Law Consultant, Policy Advisor on Islamic Affairs

Tuition Fee

Local

RM29,700

International

RM50,700

Intake

Semester 2 (March) Intake, Academic Session 2025/2026

Entry Requirement

General Entry Requirements

Possess a Master's Degree by Research; or
Possess a Clinical Master's Degree; or
Possess a Master's Degree by Coursework or Mixed Mode with a CGPA of no less than 3.00; or
Possess a Master's Degree by Coursework or Mixed Mode with a CGPA of 2.50 to 2.99, subject to fulfilling at least one (1) of the following criteria:
- At least one (1) year working experience in a related field; or
- Publication in a related field; or
- A scholarship holder; or
- UM graduate; or
- A Government servant; or
- Pass an interview by Faculty; or
- Pass a Special Assessment by Faculty.
Possess a Bachelor's Degree through the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning for Access (APEL.A) and other qualifications approved by the Senate.

Specific Entry Requirements

General University Requirements: Fulfill the General University Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree Qualification: N/A
Possess a Master's Degree by Research; or Master's Degree by (Coursework or Mixed-Mode)
Equivalent Qualification: N/A
Related Fields: Master's degree in Shariah, Usuluddin, or Islamic Studies from a recognized university. Candidates who do not have a specific degree in Shariah, Usuluddin, or Islamic Studies but are interested in conducting interdisciplinary research with a focus on Islamic Studies and subject to the conditions set by the faculty, or other qualifications approved by the University Senate.
Special Requirements:
- Candidates must attend and pass additional courses as determined by the Faculty.
- For admission via prior or retrospective publications:
  1. Must meet the University's PhD admission requirements and have publications contributing to scholarly knowledge in the field;
  2. Additional requirements:
    1. University lecturers must have at least three (3) years of service and be actively employed at the University; or
    2. Applicants must have recognized scholarly publications, endorsed by the Application Evaluation Committee;
  3. Candidates must not already hold a Doctoral Degree by Research from any institution.

English Requirements

Malaysia University English Test (MUET): Band 4.0; or
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: Band 5.5; or
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – Paper-Based Test (PBT): Not applicable; or
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – Internet-Based Test (IBT) (Centre-Based): Score 46; or
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – Computer-Based Test (CBT): Not applicable; or
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – Essential Online: Score 8.0; or
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: Score 51; or
Cambridge English Qualifications and Tests – Linguaskill Online: Not applicable; or
Cambridge English – B1 Preliminary, B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency: Score 160; or
Cambridge English – B2 Business Vantage, C1 Business Higher: Not applicable; or
Occupational English Test (OET) (Conventional / Online): Score 250; or
Cambridge English: First (FCE): Not applicable; or
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): Not applicable; or
Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): Not applicable