Entry requirements
- A UK 1st or 2nd Class Honours Degree (2:1 preferred) or recognised equivalent. Candidates will be expected to meet .
- English language test requirements: Applicants must submit an IELTS Academic score with their application which must have been taken no more than two years before the proposed start date of the programme being applied for. The minimum requirements for English language proficiency are as follows: An overall band score of 6.5, with a minimum score of 6.0 in each component in an IELTS Academic test certificate.
- Alternatively, applicants can submit scores from the following English language tests: TOEFL iBT with an overall score of 92 and a minimum of 24/30 for Reading & Writing, and 20/30 for Speaking & Listening; PTE Academic with an overall score of 62 and a minimum of 59 in Communicative Skills Papers; Cambridge English CAE/CPE with an overall score of 176 and a minimum of 169 in each sub-test; and Trinity ISE III with a Standard in all sub-tests.
In accordance with UK visa rules, IIS exempts candidates from the English language requirements if they are nationals of, or have completed undergraduate studies taught in, the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada (only if you are a national), Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. In order to qualify for exemption based on prior study, you must have completed your degree on campus (not via distance learning) and no earlier than the summer two years prior to the proposed date of enrolment (i.e. September 2025 for a 2027 enrolment).
Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from candidates from the ITREB Tajikistan and Afghanistan jurisdictions.
Fees and Funding
GPISH is a fully funded scholarship programme. Successful applicants receive housing in London, as well as a living allowance that is calculated to meet the UK Visas and Immigration’s stated cost of living. Programme-related fees and travel costs are also covered. Students who wish to contribute towards their fees may make an unconditional donation to the IIS via the Aga KhanA title granted by the Shah of Persia to the then Ismaili Imam in 1818 and inherited by each of his successors to the Imamate. Foundation offices in their country of residence.
IIS and its partners are firmly committed to equal opportunities for all students, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, ethnic origin, race, colour, nationality, political beliefs, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, disability and age. If you have a disability that might have an impact on your studies, please do let us know so we can ensure reasonable adjustments, if needed, can be made. If you have not already disclosed your disability on the application form, please contact Student Services at admissions@iis.ac.uk.
Complaints
For complaints about the admissions process, please refer to the Complaints Policy on IIS website, under ‘Policies and Documents’.
Disclaimer
This prospectus contains information about the GPISH programme that the Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS) in collaboration with SOAS University of London intends to run for students. The Institute has made all reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided is both helpful and accurate. In order to ensure quality, the IIS regularly reviews the modules offered and, when deemed necessary, may change or withdraw a module or add a new programme.
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