FAQ's | islamic-banking.com

The course is primarily for those who are seeking to build a career in Islamic banking and finance. The course may also be taken by anyone who wishes to gain a more detailed knowledge about the fundamentals of Islamic economics and banking operations in preparation for further studies in Islamic finance. The course work also deals with Islamic insurance.

Do I need any previous qualification or experience before I can enroll on a course?

No, all of our courses are available to all students of all academic backgrounds. If you are concerned that you may have difficulties, please do not hesitate to contact one of our friendly course advisors who will be more than willing to discuss the options available to you.

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What is the objective of the courses?

It aims at building knowledge of both Islamic economic principles and working knowledge of the basis of Islamic banking and insurance from the beginning. The course material does not support any particular creed or promote any religious doctrine although they emphasise the moral values and principles emphasised in Islamic teachings as applied to business and commerce. For all purposes it aims at providing the basis for evolution and progression of Islamic finance through the universal principles of socio-economic justice found also in other faiths and value systems.

Who should do the Post Graduate Diploma course?

The course covers Islamic banking and Islamic insurance and is primarily for graduates who are seeking a comprehensive knowledge in the concepts and the areas of operations. The course is also suitable for those persons already working in the industry seeking to gain a more detailed knowledge about the concepts of Islamic economics and their application in Islamic banking and insurance operations. The course is also suitable for professionals working in the Islamic finance sector and anyone preparing for Master's studies in Islamic finance. The course consists of 39 lessons structures around six modules.

Who should do the Diploma Course?

The diploma course covers Islamic banking with an overview of Islamic insurance. The course is primarily for those seeking to have more than a basic understanding of the concepts of Islamic economics and a foundation on operating principles that apply to different types of Islamic banking operations. The emphasis is on practical implementation of Islamic finance principles in the real world of finance. The course consists of 24 lessons structured around five modules.

Are any exemptions allowed to enroll on the courses?

We do not normally allow exemption to the courses from any of the modules and lessons unless you have undertaken relevant prior of other courses at IIBI. We also have arrangement with other UK-based professional bodies to allow exemptions for certain lessons of our courses to those students who complete their Islamic finance units. If you wish to be considered for exemption for any lesson or module, you submit your request with your application. Each case will be considered on its merits.

How difficult will the course be?

This is dependant upon the nature of the course you enroll on. As an estimate, the levels of learning for our courses range from providing a basic understanding to a comprehensive level. The courses have been written and structured especially for home study, thus you will always find that the course material is written in a clear and easy to understand format. If you would like to discuss any particular course, please do not hesitate to contact us.

How long will it take to complete the course?

The time limit for the Post Graduate Diploma is 12 months, for the Diploma it is 9 months and for the certificate it is 6 months. Depending on the course you study, each lesson should take you between 20 - 25 hours of study per week to study. Please note: This is only an approximate figure and is dependant upon how much time you can dedicate to your studies and how well you grasp the learning concepts in the course material. Furthermore, at the end of each lesson there is a question paper that needs to be completed and returned to your tutor. You should allow at least 1 - 2 hours of study to complete each question paper. If you are able to devote more time, you will be able to complete the course in the shortest possible time. . If you need to take a break from studying you should contact us with reasons. To view the time limit for each course please visit ‘Course Duration' section of respective course. Also see: Is there any time limit or deadline for completion of a course?

Can I study more than one course at a time?

Yes, this is possible. You will find that by studying this way, you create a steady flow of work for yourself. Many of our courses are very complementary to each other and work well together. Our students tend to start with one course, and very quickly find how easy it is to study from home and move on to another one.

Do I need to attend classes?

No, all the courses are by distance learning and designed to be completed in the comfort of your own home.

Do I get a qualification after I have completed my course?

If you have successfully completed the course, you will receive an attractively presented certificate issued by the Institute of Islamic Banking and Insurance London. Post Graduate Diploma holders will be admitted as an Associate Fellow of the Institute.

LEARNING METHOD

What is the mode of Study?

The mode of study is by Distance Learning. This can be done by email or access online.

What are the advantages of Distance Learning?

There are many advantages of Distance Learning, but the main advantages are the cost and flexibility, facilitating the maximum number of students from all parts of the world to benefit. You can enroll on to a course at any time. With Distance Learning there is no need to attend a classroom environment so there is no waste of time or other resources in transport, commuting to specific location for each class; this is also a great advantage for those with restricted mobility. You can learn at your own pace, so you can get through your course as quickly or slowly as you please, and of course the costs are also a lot less!

How does Distance Learning work?

Once you have enrolled on to a course and completed the payment process, you will receive the course starter pack by post/email for the postgraduate diploma course and access online to the diploma and certificate courses. In the case of the post graduate diploma and diploma you will also receive the name of a personal tutor assigned to you. At the end of each lesson you will find questions on the study material you have covered. When you feel ready you will submit your answers by email or online and your tutor will provide you with feedback, you can then access the next lesson/module.

Can I study a course if I live outside the United Kingdom?

All of our courses are designed to be delivered by Distance Learning. The question papers for your course can be completed from the comfort of your own home. There will be no need for you to attend any physical location like a classroom. So whatever specilaisation you may be seeking and wherever you may be residing, you can study any of our courses.

When will I receive my course study materials?

To will receive the course study material and other information by email of access online as online enrolment procedure and payment process.

Can I contact other students?

All students have the opportunity to join the IIBI discussion forum. The forum is the place for students and members of IIBI to share their thoughts and information with each other.

HOW THE COURSES WORK

When do the courses start?

Our distance learning education courses and system of continuous enrolment means that our applicants can enroll on any day and at any time of the year. This allows you the freedom to plan your studies to fit in with your lifestyle or work commitments. We supply you with the appropriate study materials and, where applicable, you receive support by e-mail through a personal tutor who assesses your course work.

How do I study for my course?

You will study the course by distance-learning using e-mail which is best for distance learning. If you do not have internet access then you may use the postal service but this may delay matters.

How are the courses administered?

Depending on the level of course you have applied for, you may be required to submit assignments to your assigned tutor in the form of answers to questions, or attempt a multiple-choice questions based exam.

Is there any time limit or deadline for completion of a course?

The duration varies from course to course. We do require you to complete your course study within a time-frame. If you can devote more time to your study you should be able to complete the course in less time. If you need to take a break from studying you should contact us with reasons. To view the time limit for each course please visit ‘Course Duration' section of respective course. Also see: How long will it take to complete the course?

Will I be allowed any extension of time if I cannot complete my course within the required time limit?

We will consider requests based on individual circumstances. Normally, this will involve payment of an additional charge by you.

Is there any other interaction between the tutor and the student, besides submitting the answers and tutor feed back?

During the course you may contact the tutor by e-mail for any clarification on the course material or subject matter.

How do I receive the course materials?

After you have enrolled with us we will normally send you the course material by email or provide access online, because there can be delays in the post. This includes everything you need to get started. One-year complimentary online access to the NewHorizon magazine published by the Institute is also provided as part of your study guide.

Do you provide the necessary course materials?

After you enroll with us, we will provide a very comprehensive study material for all the lessons. However, students are always encouraged to do further reading and research on the internet or in the library to be up-to-date with current developments in the Islamic financial sector. The Institute also publishes its own magazine which students are able to view online.

Do I need any additional study material once I have been enrolled?

No, all of our courses are complete. However we always encourage our students to conduct their own further reading and research.

Is any specific reading material required?

The course material that we will provide should be sufficient for your studies; however, we encourage students to do additional reading as well as browse the internet or visit a local library to conduct further research.

Do you provide reference materials or do I have to go out and buy them?

We provide you with a recommended reading list and some useful links. You may find them in your local library or by searching the internet. In some cases you may wish to purchase a book. The Institute also publishes books that students can purchase at a discount of 25%.

Where can I find any additional study resources?

Visits to local libraries normally provide a large source, but students can always browse the internet. We will provide recommended reading list and useful links that students may also look up.

Do students receive tutor support in preparing assignments or other course related queries?

Depending on your course of study, you can get help from your assigned tutor through email.

Is the course offered in any other language, for example in Arabic?

No. The course is offered only in English as most international business is conducted in English. However, the Institute may consider offering the courses in a few other languages in the future.

If I am not able to complete the course within the specified time, can I get an extension of time?

If you do not complete the course in the time specified and require an extension of time, the Institute will normally apply an administration charge to extend the period upto six month to complete the course. Also see: Is there any time limit or deadline for completion of a course?.

Is any practical training offered?

All courses are by distance learning. However, practical training workshops are held in London, United Kingdom on various dates. The goal of our training workshops is to provide attendees the opportunity to apply the theory-based knowledge to practical situations and environments. Our training workshops offer attendees the necessary practical experience to obtain additional qualifications.

EXAMINATION, ASSESSMENT, TUTOR SUPPORT

Are there any examinations?

Your work will be evaluated based on your answers to questions submitted to your assigned tutor or an online exam based on multiple-choice questions. On successful completion of the course work you will be awarded the certificate for the qualification achieved by you.

How will I be assessed throughout my course?

After each lesson there will be an assignment comprising a number of questions. These will need to be answered and submitted to your personal tutor for assessment. This method of continual assessment ensures that your personal tutor can consistently monitor your progress and provide you with feedback for the duration of the course. All of the assignments for your course can be completed from the comfort of your own home.

What are the criteria used to assess my performance throughout the course?

Individual assessment is done by your assigned tutor who will assess if your answers show a good understanding of the concepts and the subject matter. Your answers should be well written and well presented and reference should be provided for any additional information from any reading and research work that you may have done on your own. Some courses may also require you to take an online multiple-choice questions based exam.

What kind of assignments is given to the students?

The assignments are in the form of questions at the end of each lesson. You will have to submit your answers for the questions of each assignment to the tutor assignment. You will normally get a feedback from the tutor within 7–10 working days.

What type of questions will I be asked to answer?

The types of questions you will be asked may vary from: multiple-choice questions, true or false, single word answer, to a short write-up of no more than 300-600 words. Either way, you should be able to successfully answer the questions from the work you have covered in the course materials.

How do I submit my assignments?

The preferred way is by email in the Microsoft word format or online. If you do not have access to e-mail then you will have to use the postal service but this may delay matters. Detailed instruction will be provided once you have enrolled on your course.

Will I receive help through the duration of my course?

All of students are assigned a personal tutor to ensure that you receive feedback and to deal with any queries you may have concerning matters relating to your course.

ENROLLING ON TO A COURSE

How do I enroll? How do I apply?

The enrolment application process can be accessed by visiting our website. Provided you meet the entry requirement, you must first complete and submit the Application Form the online for the particular course that you have chosen to study. Or alternatively you are welcome to print out the application form and post it back to the Institute. Once your application is accepted we will advise you by email confirming the course fee and how to make payment.

Do the courses assume any previous knowledge of banking or insurance?

No previous knowledge of banking or insurance is required. See section on Entry Requirement for each course.

Do I need any qualifications before I can enroll on to a course?

Yes, the minimum should be GCSE or any equivalent and a graduate degree in the case of post graduate diploma. Individuals without qualifications will also be considered taking into account their circumstances and work experience. You will find the basic requirement in the information provided on each course although a good working knowledge of the English language is essential for all courses.

I am a mature student - does that qualify me for your courses?

There is no upper age limit to enroll on to the courses, however, you must be over 18 years old and meet the entry requirements. You will find the basic requirement in the information provided on each course although a good working knowledge of the English language is essential for all courses.

How do I acquire a copy of a course syllabus?

Please look in appropriate section for each course on the website.

What is the entry requirement for a course?

You will find the basic requirement in the information provided on each course although a good working knowledge of the English language is essential for all courses.

When can I start?

You can start a course at any time convenient for you; all courses are based on distance-learning.

Are there any fixed dates to start the course?

There is no fixed date to start any of the courses; all courses are based on distance-learning.

How long do your courses take to complete?

The time to complete a course will vary from student to student depending on individual circumstances. However, you will be required to complete a course within a time limit. You will this information in the ‘Course Duration' section for the relevant course.

Will I get a qualification after I complete my course?

On successful completion of a course you will be awarded the appropriate qualifications offered by the Institute of Islamic Banking and Insurance, London, United Kingdom. If you successfully complete the Post Graduate Diploma course then you will also be made an Associate Fellow of the Institute.

Is there any exemption allow on the courses?

Please refer to the exemptions policy on the courses page and under the relevant course you wish to study.

FEES AND PAYMENT

What is the course fee?

You will find the information in the ‘Course fee' section of the relevant course.

Why are your courses fees lower than other organisations?

Quite simply because we do not have the large overheads that some other organisations have and we operate on a not-for-profit basis. We do not spend thousands of pounds on expensive publicity campaigns and do not employ a large sales team. The quality of our course material is our strength. We are a not-for-profit organisation and we see our mission as helping to build the knowledge base for a viable and sustainable Islamic financial services industry.

Does the course fee cover the cost of registration, course materials and tutor support, where applicable?

Yes, except in the case of ‘certificate' courses in Islamic banking and Takaful where no tutor support is provided.

Is there any extra charges or costs involved for enrolment?

No. You only pay the course fee advised to you and there are no further costs involved. There are no hidden charges. However, there may be a charge if you require extra time to complete the course you are studying.

Can I Pay in Installments?

As the course fee is already lower than other organisations offering comparable qualifications, we require payment in full at the time of enrolment. However, in exceptional cases of hardship the Institute may allow payments in installments. In such cases, access to future lessons will not be allowed until the installment due is paid.

Can I get any financial assistance for my course fee such as scholarships?

No. Presently we do not have any scheme to offer financial assistance or scholarships but we are trying to develop a scheme supported by donations and zakat. We may also consider reducing the fees to students applying from developing countries. This will be communicated in the acceptance letter sent to you after we have reviewed your application form.

How do I make payment?

You may pay the course fees by PayPal, credit card (American Express, Visa, Master Card only), bank draft or bank transfer. Details on how to make payment will be advised in the acceptance letter sent to you after you have submitted your application form and it has been accepted.

What if I am not entirely happy with my course?

If you are not happy with your course then simply let us know within 14 days from your date enrolment for a refund less bank and administration charges. Please note that no refund will be made after you have started on the course. If you would like to transfer your course fee to a different course at the Institute, you are able to do so without penalty privded you meet the entry requirements of the new course. A transfer fee will apply.

If I require extra time to complete my course do I have to pay any additional charge?

If you do not complete the course in the time limit specified then we will apply an administration charge to allow you to extend the time limit to complete the course. Normally, we may allow extension of time limit for upto six months depending on the course you are studying. The charge may be waived in exceptional circumstances, at our discretion.

VISA AND EMPLOYMENT

Do you assist with obtaining student visas?

No. The course is a distance learning programme and you do not have to attend any classes.

What are the career prospects after completing the course?

You will be part of select group who have attained higher education in Islamic Finance. The Post Graduate Diploma in particular will give you an advantage over other graduates when you apply for jobs in the fast growing Islamic financial sector.

Will I get a Job on Completion of the Course?

Our courses are designed to cater the needs of employers and to provide candidates the qualifications to develop or further your career in the burgeoning Islamic finance industry.