Overview
The Cert HE offers an alternative pathway into higher education and provides intensive support to enable you to reach your full potential. If you are looking to study for a degree in the field of Arabic, Middle Eastern or Islamic Studies but would benefit from the supportive environment of the Lifelong Learning Centre for your first year, then this course is for you.
You’ll develop your knowledge and understanding of Islam, Middle Eastern culture and the Arabic language and build your academic confidence by concentrating on research, critical thinking, writing and communication skills.
Over the course you’ll study a range of core and optional modules designed to encourage you to consider different approaches to ethical issues and reflect upon global and cultural perspectives of Islam. The course will also equip you with a wide range of tools for your personal and professional development.
On successful completion you can progress on to year 2 of a full-time degree in Arabic, Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at the University of Leeds.
Additional support
The part time variant is taught one day a week. We know that many mature and part time students face unique challenges, including balancing academic study with family and work commitments. For that reason, the Lifelong Learning Centre provides specialist guidance, advice and support to mature and part time students, from pre-application right through to graduation and beyond.
Course content
The course is designed to encourage you to consider different approaches to complex ethical issues and to reflect upon global and cultural perspectives of Islam and the wider Middle East.
On the full time course you will take modules that will give you an excellent grounding in the Arabic language, Islam and Middle Eastern society and culture. You will study a combination of compulsory and optional modules that will depend on your intended progression route.
If you are studying the course part time then in Year 1 you will take introductory modules in Arabic and Middle Eastern religions along with personal and academic skills modules. In Year 2, as on the full time course, the compulsory and optional modules you choose will depend on your intended degree progression route.
All of our students acquire basic Arabic language skills in their first year. Provision is available for students wishing to further their language skills through the delivery of advanced language modules in the second year of study, especially for those wishing to progress onto degrees with a strong Arabic component.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Compulsory
| Module code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LLLC0177 | Academic Development Through the Study of the Abrahamic Faiths | 20 |
| LLLC1373 | Islamic History and Civilisation | 20 |
| LLLC1398 | Key Texts in Middle Eastern Religions | 20 |
Optional
| Module code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ARAB1001 | Beginning Arabic 1 | 20 |
| ARAB1002 | Beginning Arabic 2 | 20 |
| ARAB1160 | Introduction to the Middle East: Politics, Culture and Religion | 20 |
| LLLC1304 | Islam in Western Societies | 10 |
| LLLC1321 | Women, Culture and Islam | 10 |
| LLLC1367 | Introduction to Islam | 20 |
| LLLC1371 | Arabic 1 | 20 |
| LLLC1389 | Introduction into Islamic Philosophy | 10 |
| LLLC1394 | Political Islam: Past and Present | 10 |
| LLLC1436 | Introduction to Islamic Law | 10 |
Broadening your academic horizons
At Leeds we want you to benefit from the depth and breadth of the University's expertise, to prepare you for success in an ever-changing and challenging world. On this course you broaden your learning through core and/or optional modules. Find out more on the Broadening webpages.
Learning and teaching
Assessment
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: CCC or equivalent
GCSE: English and maths grade C/4 or above, or equivalent
Alternative qualifications
Select an option from the list above to view alternative qualifications.
Access to HE Diploma
60 credits overall including at least 45 credits at level 3 of which 25 must be at Merit or above.
BTEC
Merit, Merit, Merit
Additional entry criteria
As well as the academic requirements above, you must live permanently in the UK and meet at least one of the following:
- Your permanent address is in a neighborhood with low progression to higher education.
- You attended a school which achieved less than the national average of five A*-C, 9-4 passes or attainment score 8 at GCSE.
- You grew up in public care.
We actively encourage applications from mature students. Further consideration will be given to the life experience of mature applicants and the circumstances in which they gained prior qualifications.
Alternative Entry
Alternative Entry Scheme
If you don't have the required level 3 qualifications you can complete our Alternative Entry Scheme. If you don’t have the required GCSEs, you will also be asked to take tests in English and maths. Contact the Lifelong Learning Centre for more information. If you are a mature student or want to study part-time the Lifelong Learning Centre offers a free, confidential and impartial pre-entry guidance service. Our experienced staff can also talk to you about how you might meet the entry criteria and what support may be available to you.International
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For information contact the Lifelong Learning Centre Admissions Team.
English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.How to apply
Apply to this course through the Lifelong Learning Centre.
We will treat all applications individually. We’ll take into account an applicant’s life experience and the circumstances in which they have gained prior qualifications and encourage you to cover these things in your personal statement. We will interview shortlisted candidates.
Admissions policy
Lifelong Learning Centre Admissions Policy 2019
Fees
UK/EU: To be confirmed
International: To be confirmed
For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2018, the fee for 2018/19 will be £9,250.
For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2019, the fee for 2019/20 will be £9,250.
The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. For example, the increase of 2.8% in 2017/18 was based on the government’s forecast for the RPI-X measure of inflation.
The UK government has confirmed that non-UK EU students starting in the 2019/20 academic year will have home fee status and be eligible for UK government student loans. The UK government has not confirmed the situation for future years, so keep checking our website for updates.
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.
Depending on your circumstances, non-repayable financial support is available from the Leeds Financial Support scheme.
Career opportunities
There is a growing recognition of Arabic, Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies as areas of great important in our multicultural society. A qualification in this field from the University of Leeds opens a wide range of opportunities for career development in a global market.
On successful completion of the CertHE you can progress onto a range of degree courses in the Arabic, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies (AIMES) department. For more information about specific career opportunities check the degree course you wish to progress to.
Careers support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate.
The University and the Lifelong Learning Centre provide a range of activities to support LLC students looking to:
- explore their career options
- develop or enhance their employability skills
- gain work or voluntary experience
- prepare for promotion, review or a role change at work
- find and apply for jobs
Find out more about the support available to LLC students and the University’s Careers website.
