Joining Higher Years

General Policy

Al-Qalam normally only accepts new students into Year 1 only. This policy is intended to give every student the strongest possible foundation and the greatest opportunity to benefit from the programme.

Reason 

Every institute develops its own syllabus, teaching methodology and sequence of study. Although different institutes may teach many of the same subjects and books, they often differ in the order in which topics are introduced, the emphasis placed on particular concepts, the reference works used, and the methods by which students are trained to study and revise.

For this reason, studying at an institute involves more than simply completing a list of textbooks. Students gradually become familiar with the institute's methods and academic approach, with each year building upon the previous one.

Joining the programme part-way through can therefore present challenges, even for students who have studied elsewhere. A student may be ahead in some areas but unfamiliar with the methodology and foundational concepts upon which later years are built.

Furthermore, accepting a student is an amanah (trust) from Allah. We have a responsibility to ensure that every student receives the guidance and support necessary to benefit fully from the programme. Where a student joins part-way through, there may be gaps in their previous training that are not immediately apparent or cannot realistically be addressed alongside the normal pace of the course. 

Exception

However, we recognise that there are occasions where a student's previous studies closely match our syllabus and methodology. In such cases, admission into a year 2 may be possible.

The entry requirements are outlined below. Applicants will be required to complete an assessment to demonstrate that they meet these requirements before an offer of admission can be made.

Admission into a higher year is granted only where we are confident that it is in the student's best interests.

Requirements

To Enter Year 2

Nahw

FSTU Nahw (Complete)

FSTU Nahw Tarkib Workbook (Selected Examples)

Sarf

FSTU Sarf (Complete)

Literature (For Full-Time Only)

Qisas an-Nabiyyeen (Selected Passages)