Islamic Religious Studies
Islamic Religious Studies (B.A.)
Are you interested in Islam and would like to learn more about traditional scriptural foundations, religious norms and methods, schools of Islam and religious doctrines, religious practices, cultural history and contemporary theological issues? The Islamic Religious Studies degree program at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) is just right for you!
As a student of this degree program, you will receive the reference and technical language skills required to read and understand simple source texts in Arabic. Take advantage of this opportunity to study Islam in depth and become part of a growing community of people interested in these topics. Apply now for the Islamic Religious Studies degree program at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and start your career in this exciting field!
Even though the primary focus of the Bachelor’s degree program in Islamic Religious Studies is not on training to become an imam, there is nothing to prevent this training from being recognized. A second phase of training is under discussion for this case (but not yet planned), roughly corresponding to the practical training phase (“Vikariat”) of the church. Take advantage of this opportunity to study Islam in depth and become part of a growing community of people interested in these topics. Apply now for the Islamic Religious Studies degree program at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and start your career in this exciting field!
- Degree
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
- Duration of studies in semester
- 6
- Start of degree program
- Winter semester
- Study location
- Erlangen
- Number of students
- 1-50
- Subject group
- Language and Cultural Studies
- Special ways to study
- 1-subject Bachelor, 2-subject Bachelor, Part-time degree program
- Teaching language
- completely in German
- Admission Requirements
- No Admissions Restrictions
- Keywords
- History, Islamic studies, Culture, Religion, Language
What is the degree program about?
Awareness of Islam in society and politics has been steadily increasing for some years now. In academia, this interest is reflected not least in the four major centers of Islamic theology in Germany, one of which is located at FAU in Erlangen. The focus of this degree program is on topics dealing with traditional scriptural foundations, religious norms and methods, schools of Islam and religious doctrines, religious practices, cultural history, and contemporary theological issues. As a student of this degree program, you will receive the reference and technical language skills required to read and understand simple source texts in Arabic. The degree program does not focus on a specific school or branch of Islam, but the various different schools and branches are addressed and discussed. Even though the primary focus of the Bachelor’s degree program in Islamic Religious Studies is not on training to become an imam, there is nothing to prevent this training from being recognized. A second phase of training is under discussion for this case (but not yet planned), roughly corresponding to the practical training phase (“Vikariat”) of the church.
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The degree program can be studied as a one-subject or two-subject Bachelor’s degree program.
The degree program comprises compulsory modules and compulsory elective modules.
Compulsory modules are Arabic 1-4 as well as lectures and seminars from the areas of scriptural foundations, religious studies, and social action. In the first four semesters, students acquire basic knowledge of the Arabic language and a broad base of fundamental knowledge in Islamic religious studies.
After the first year (the second semester), students take a preliminary examination (Grundlagen- und Orientierungsprüfung, GOP), which is considered passed if at least two modules (Arabic I, Qur’an/Hadith) have been successfully completed. The second phase of the degree program (fifth and sixth semesters) is characterized by more in-depth study of the subject areas and the language. In the context of the Bachelor’s thesis in the sixth semester, students are encouraged to start conducting independent scientific work.
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One-subject Bachelor’s degree program in Islamic Religious Studies
The Bachelor’s degree program in Islamic-Religious Studies is a program focusing on Islam with the characteristics of an undergraduate theological program (one-subject Bachelor’s degree, 6 semesters). It qualifies students for existing and new professional fields and prepares them for a subsequent research-related Master’s degree program.
The Bachelor’s degree program takes normative, analytical, methodological, discursive and practical approaches to Islam into account. It lays the foundations required in the written form of Arabic as a reference of Islamic source texts. With regard to Islam as a system of religious interpretation, it takes into account systematic, practical, ethical and philosophical aspects.
The Bachelor’s degree program in Islamic Religious Studies develops specific practical skills and personal commitment in particular areas related to religion, for example, pastoral care, ritual practice, community affairs, youth work, and educational management (instrumental, generic, and communicative skills). In addition to the compulsory foundations, compulsory electives allow students to set their own personal focus in their degree program.
Two-subject Bachelor’s degree program in Islamic Religious Studies
The degree program, which can only be studied as a second subject within the two-subject Bachelor’s degree, is aimed at students who wish to gain specific skills in social and cultural sciences through a focus on Islam. The acquisition of knowledge in the first subject is increased by a higher proportion of teaching, since the Bachelor’s degree in Islamic Religious Studies only comprises 70 ECTS credits and writing a Bachelor’s thesis is not possible. The degree is therefore awarded in the first subject (for example, Sociology with a focus on Islam). Why should I study the two-subject Bachelor’s degree program? Because there is a need in society for advice on Islam. An increasing number of experts are required who can advise political actors (municipalities, federal states, political parties, business and the economy, administration and the field of medicine) in specific questions regarding Islam (theological backgrounds and religious precepts, differences between schools and cultures, ways of life, and so on). These are all good career prospects.
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- A keen interest in religion, especially Islam of course
- A willingness to work with other people
- A way of thinking that is geared toward solving problems
- The ability to reflect on one’s own religious positions An interest in the interdisciplinary and comprehensive study of Islam
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The possible careers listed below are only a selection of potential openings. The Bachelor’s degree program in Islamic Religious Studies qualifies graduates for further study in the research-based Master’s degree program in Islamic Religious Studies and teaches fundamental skills for the following areas:
- Academic activities in the field of Islamic religious studies
- Consulting in business and politics
- Community work
- Pastoral care
- Working with children and young people
- Adult education
- Media and journalism
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Possible as a single-subject bachelor’s degree or as a second subject in a two-subject bachelor’s degree. Can also be studied part-time.
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Possible combinations without overlaps
- Art History
- Book Studies
- Business and Economics
- Chinese Studies
- Cultural History of Christianity
- Education
- English and American Studies
- French Studies
- German studies
- Greek Philology
- Hispanic Studies
- History
- Indo-European and Indo-Iranian Studies
- Japanese Studies
- Latin Philology
- Medieval Latin and Neo-Latin
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Scandinavian Studies (BA)
- Sociology
With these subject combinations, there are generally no overlaps in the timetable.
Possible overlaps in the timetable
- Archaeological Sciences
- Computational Linguistics
- Digital Humanities and Social Sciences
- Geography: Cultural Geography as a two subject Bachelor's degree program
- Italian Studies
- Theater and Media Studies
If you combine these subjects, individual courses may overlap in your timetable. For this reason, you can only combine the following subjects with your chosen subject after a consultation. Students are responsible for ensuring that the combination can be studied and that the deadlines set out in Section 11 of the ABMStPOPhil are met. When enrolling, proof of a corresponding consultation with the Central Student Advisory Service or the Student Service Center (Faculty of Humanities, Social Studies, and Theology) must be submitted.
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- Admission requirements (first semester)
- No Admissions Restrictions
- Application deadline winter semester
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30.09.
Language skills
- German language skills for international applicants
- DSH 2 or equivalent
- General language skills
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Nachweis ausreichender Kenntnisse in mindestens 2 Fremdsprachen (darunter Englisch) bis zum Ende des 4. Semesters
- Details and notes
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The application deadline for the winter semester for international applicants is July 15th.
In addition to the general qualification for university entrance (Abitur), there are other access options for studying at FAU.
Do you need help or more information?
Our Student Advice and Career Service (IBZ) is the central point of contact for all questions about studying and starting a degree programme. Our Student Service Centres and subject advisors support you in planning your studies.