MSc in Islamic Banking and Finance
Develop advanced expertise in Shariah-compliant banking, financial markets, Takaful, governance, risk management and emerging financial technologies.
- Award
- Master of Science
- Duration
- 2 years
- Study structure
- 4 semesters
- Credits
- 42 credit hours
- Study mode
- Mixed mode: coursework and research
- Language
- English
- Location
- University of Hargeisa
Programme profile
The MSc in Islamic Banking and Finance is a specialised postgraduate programme providing advanced knowledge of the principles and practices that shape the global Islamic banking and finance industry. It prepares graduates and professionals for work in Islamic banking, Takaful operations, Islamic financial markets and related sectors.
Students examine Islamic economics, commercial law and financial contracts alongside accounting, financial management, capital markets, governance, risk, Shariah audit, FinTech and fraud. Quantitative and advanced research training culminates in an independent research project addressing a relevant issue in Islamic finance.
Admission requirements
- A recognised bachelor’s degree in Islamic banking and finance or a related field such as Islamic studies, business administration, economics, accounting or finance.
- A minimum CGPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
- Applicants with an unrelated bachelor’s degree may be considered if they hold a recognised professional qualification, such as CSAA, CIPA or CPIF, or a postgraduate diploma or certification in Islamic banking and finance.
- Admission of applicants from unrelated disciplines is subject to review and approval by the School of Graduate Studies and fulfilment of the minimum CGPA requirement.
What you will learn
- Analyse the principles of Islamic banking and finance and distinguish them from conventional financial approaches.
- Apply Islamic commercial law and financial-contract principles to contemporary banking, Takaful and capital-market products.
- Evaluate accounting, financial-management, governance, risk and Shariah-audit practices in Islamic financial institutions.
- Assess emerging developments, including FinTech, fraud risks and regional and global industry trends.
- Conduct rigorous quantitative and qualitative research on real-world Islamic finance issues.
- Demonstrate the ethical judgement and professional integrity required for leadership in the Islamic financial sector.
Programme content
The programme combines specialist coursework with applied learning and supervised research. The semester-by-semester course structure is shown below.
The programme comprises 36 credit hours of coursework and a 6-credit research project, giving a total of 42 credit hours.
| Semester | Code | Course title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 Semester 1 | IBF 701 | Islamic Economics | 3 |
| Year 1 Semester 1 | IBF 702 | Islamic Commercial Law | 3 |
| Year 1 Semester 1 | IBF 703 | Islamic Financial Contracts | 3 |
| Year 1 Semester 1 | SGS 701 | Quantitative Methods & Research | 3 |
| Year 1 Semester 2 | IBF 704 | Islamic Banking System & Operations | 3 |
| Year 1 Semester 2 | IBF 705 | Takaful Insurance | 3 |
| Year 1 Semester 2 | IBF 706 | Accounting & Reporting for Islamic Financial Transactions | 3 |
| Year 1 Semester 2 | AFM 704 | Financial Management | 3 |
| Year 2 Semester 3 | IBF 707 | Islamic Capital Market | 3 |
| Year 2 Semester 3 | IBF 708 | Risk, Governance & Shariah Audit | 3 |
| Year 2 Semester 3 | IBF 709 | FinTech, Fraud & Emerging Trends | 3 |
| Year 2 Semester 3 | SGS 702 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
| Year 2 Semester 4 | SGS 703 | Research Project | 6 |
Teaching and assessment
Teaching combines lectures, workshops, tutorials, case studies, simulations, industry guest lectures and supervised research. Assessment consists of coursework and examinations supported by research activities. Coursework—including case studies, assignments, group projects and presentations—accounts for 60% of module assessment, while the final written or practical examination accounts for 40%.
Career opportunities
- Islamic banking executive
- Islamic product development officer or manager
- Shariah compliance officer or manager
- Shariah auditor
- Islamic finance consultant
- Investment analyst or manager
- Takaful executive or specialist
- Policy adviser
- Academic or researcher
How to apply
Applications are submitted through the University of Hargeisa postgraduate admission system. Applicants must complete the application form and upload the required academic and supporting documents before the published deadline. Application dates, tuition fees and document requirements should be confirmed in the current SGS admission announcement.
Application guidance ↗Talk to the School
For current information and guidance, contact the School of Graduate Studies.
MSc in Islamic Banking and Finance
Develop advanced expertise in Shariah-compliant banking, financial markets, Takaful, governance, risk management and emerging financial technologies.
- Award
- Master of Science
- Duration
- 2 years
- Study structure
- 4 semesters
- Credits
- 42 credit hours
- Study mode
- Mixed mode: coursework and research
- Language
- English
- Location
- University of Hargeisa
Programme profile
The MSc in Islamic Banking and Finance is a specialised postgraduate programme providing advanced knowledge of the principles and practices that shape the global Islamic banking and finance industry. It prepares graduates and professionals for work in Islamic banking, Takaful operations, Islamic financial markets and related sectors.
Students examine Islamic economics, commercial law and financial contracts alongside accounting, financial management, capital markets, governance, risk, Shariah audit, FinTech and fraud. Quantitative and advanced research training culminates in an independent research project addressing a relevant issue in Islamic finance.
Admission requirements
- A recognised bachelor’s degree in Islamic banking and finance or a related field such as Islamic studies, business administration, economics, accounting or finance.
- A minimum CGPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
- Applicants with an unrelated bachelor’s degree may be considered if they hold a recognised professional qualification, such as CSAA, CIPA or CPIF, or a postgraduate diploma or certification in Islamic banking and finance.
- Admission of applicants from unrelated disciplines is subject to review and approval by the School of Graduate Studies and fulfilment of the minimum CGPA requirement.
What you will learn
- Analyse the principles of Islamic banking and finance and distinguish them from conventional financial approaches.
- Apply Islamic commercial law and financial-contract principles to contemporary banking, Takaful and capital-market products.
- Evaluate accounting, financial-management, governance, risk and Shariah-audit practices in Islamic financial institutions.
- Assess emerging developments, including FinTech, fraud risks and regional and global industry trends.
- Conduct rigorous quantitative and qualitative research on real-world Islamic finance issues.
- Demonstrate the ethical judgement and professional integrity required for leadership in the Islamic financial sector.
Programme content
The programme combines specialist coursework with applied learning and supervised research. The semester-by-semester course structure is shown below.
The programme comprises 36 credit hours of coursework and a 6-credit research project, giving a total of 42 credit hours.
| Semester | Code | Course title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 Semester 1 | IBF 701 | Islamic Economics | 3 |
| Year 1 Semester 1 | IBF 702 | Islamic Commercial Law | 3 |
| Year 1 Semester 1 | IBF 703 | Islamic Financial Contracts | 3 |
| Year 1 Semester 1 | SGS 701 | Quantitative Methods & Research | 3 |
| Year 1 Semester 2 | IBF 704 | Islamic Banking System & Operations | 3 |
| Year 1 Semester 2 | IBF 705 | Takaful Insurance | 3 |
| Year 1 Semester 2 | IBF 706 | Accounting & Reporting for Islamic Financial Transactions | 3 |
| Year 1 Semester 2 | AFM 704 | Financial Management | 3 |
| Year 2 Semester 3 | IBF 707 | Islamic Capital Market | 3 |
| Year 2 Semester 3 | IBF 708 | Risk, Governance & Shariah Audit | 3 |
| Year 2 Semester 3 | IBF 709 | FinTech, Fraud & Emerging Trends | 3 |
| Year 2 Semester 3 | SGS 702 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
| Year 2 Semester 4 | SGS 703 | Research Project | 6 |
Teaching and assessment
Teaching combines lectures, workshops, tutorials, case studies, simulations, industry guest lectures and supervised research. Assessment consists of coursework and examinations supported by research activities. Coursework—including case studies, assignments, group projects and presentations—accounts for 60% of module assessment, while the final written or practical examination accounts for 40%.
Career opportunities
- Islamic banking executive
- Islamic product development officer or manager
- Shariah compliance officer or manager
- Shariah auditor
- Islamic finance consultant
- Investment analyst or manager
- Takaful executive or specialist
- Policy adviser
- Academic or researcher
How to apply
Applications are submitted through the University of Hargeisa postgraduate admission system. Applicants must complete the application form and upload the required academic and supporting documents before the published deadline. Application dates, tuition fees and document requirements should be confirmed in the current SGS admission announcement.
Application guidance ↗Talk to the School
For current information and guidance, contact the School of Graduate Studies.