Frequently asked questions

The flagship programme of IFA Education: two years of serious study for people who want to understand Islamic finance in depth and put it to work. It begins with the foundations of contracts and transactions and works up to advanced instruments and today’s hardest questions. See the curriculum.

Students of Sharī’ah, economics or a related field; professionals in finance, law, policy or business; entrepreneurs building businesses on Islamic principles; regulators shaping how Islamic finance is governed; imams and community leaders managing zakāh, waqf and community funds; and anyone who wants to understand Islamic finance in depth.

No. Students arrive from different starting points. Sharī’ah graduates gain modern finance, contracts and regulation. Finance and economics graduates gain fiqh al-mu’āmalāt and the objectives of the Sharī’ah. Professionals gain the missing link between their expertise and Islamic principles.

No. The Diploma is taught in English. Arabic helps but is never a barrier: every Arabic term is translated and explained.

Islamic finance scholars and industry experts, side by side, led by Shaykh Dr. Sajid Umar, Chair of the Islamic Finance Advisory, with visiting faculty from around the world. Meet the instructors.

IFA Education grew out of the work of the Islamic Finance Advisory (IFA), a trusted body for Sharī’ah advisory, fatwa and standard-setting, and it works to the same gold standard. IFA oversees the teaching and its quality.

The Diploma in Islamic Finance, signed by IFA’s Panel of Scholars.

Two years: six terms of ten weeks, each followed by revision and an exam. Cohort 2 begins on Monday 11 January 2027 and the last term ends in November 2028. There are breaks for Ramadan, the first two weeks of Dhul Hijjah, December and the summer.

A new 2-hour lesson every Thursday from 7pm (UK time), recorded so you can watch it when it suits you. Every other Tuesday there is a live session with the instructors at 7pm (UK time). We recommend 1–2 hours of independent study a week alongside the lessons.

Yes. The lessons and live sessions are online. Once a term there is a seminar day in London or a major UK city, live-streamed for students abroad.

Each term, weekly assessments count for 60% and an end-of-term exam for 40%. The final core is a capstone project: an applied or research project that brings your learning together.

You learn directly from instructors and guest contributors, through discussions and Q&A. Those who show commitment and excellence are supported through mentoring and introductions to practitioners.

There are three ways to pay: £125 a month (24 payments, £3,000 in total), £1,295 a year (2 payments, £2,590 in total), or £2,400 in one payment. These are the only payment plans.

Scholarships are funded by partner sponsors, so the number available each year depends on sponsorship and none are guaranteed. Where places are available, they go to individuals who demonstrate outstanding potential or meaningful contribution to advancing the Islamic finance space. To secure your place, we recommend enrolling rather than waiting on a scholarship.

If you can, we encourage you to seek sponsorship or support from your institution, employer or community networks.

Register your interest and your prospectus opens straight away. Then complete the short online form. If you’re ready to enrol, we send you your enrolment link; if you have questions first, you can book a live chat with our team.

Enrolment for the January 2027 intake closes on Friday 8 January 2027. Term 1 begins on Monday 11 January 2027.

Yes. Within 14 days of enrolling you can cancel for a full refund. Our Terms and Conditions set out withdrawals and refunds after that.

The student portal is at portal.ifaeducation.com. There is a Student Login button at the top of the homepage too.