Skip to main content

ICMA Centre launches UKs first collaborative degree in Investment Banking and Islamic Finance

The ICMA Centre at the University of Reading has launched the UK's first collaborative MSc in Investment Banking and Islamic Finance, to be taught jointly with INCEIF (International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance) in Kuala Lumpur.

The degree is responding to the growing interest in Islamic finance, and also the increase in Islamic banking services, investment and other financial services based on Islamic principles.

The MSc is the first in the UK to use Islamic material taught by Islamic specialists and aims to capture the increasing demand for the subject with an academic base and practical views on issues such as Islamic finance, economics and law.

Students will benefit from having the opportunity to spend three months studying in Kuala Lumpur alongside Islamic finance professionals. The MSc will not require any previous knowledge of Islamic law or concepts but will explain the current issues within their overall Islamic economic and legal context. Graduates will also receive a thorough understanding of Western banking practices allied to the principles of Islamic finance. They will then be well qualified to join specialist Islamic financial institutions, investment managers and finance divisions of multinational companies.

In addition, participants on the course will cover the materials necessary to qualify for the Certificate Islamic Finance Professional (CIFP). This certificate aims to give participants a better insight on world views and cross-cultural perspectives for a robust Islamic finance industry.

Professor John Board, Director of the ICMA Centre said: "This partnership brings together two institutions with great reputations for education focused on the financial markets. We are delighted to launch this programme in partnership with INCEIF. We are launching this MSc at a time of great interest in Islamic finance and we expect a considerable amount of interest in this degree."

Agil Natt, President & Chief Executive Officer of INCEIF, said: "Our unique mission is to elevate and advance the practice of Islamic finance globally. We aim to do this by being the knowledge leader in Islamic finance not only from the religious aspect but also from the ethical perspective to everyone, from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai, Tokyo, London and the rest of the world, irrespective of faith and creed." For more information please visit https://www.icmacentre.ac.uk/ibif

PHOTO: The formal signing ceremony - Agil Natt, President & CEO of INCEIF and Prof Gordon Marshall, Vice Chancellor of the University.

Published 17 June 2008

You might also like

Industry Insights: Jake King-Smith, Goldman Sachs - Careers in Investment Banking

17 October 2019
The first Industry Insight event of this year was presented by Jake King-Smith and organised by the ICMA Centre in partnership with the University of Reading Finance Society. During the talk, Mr. Smith took us through his career from Merrill Lynch to Goldman Sachs, as well as giving us advice to secure a position in Investment Banking.
Industry Insights reviews

Professor Chris Brooks Wins Best Paper Award

17 April 2017
The ICMA Centre's Professor Chris Brooks has won a best paper award for his research, “Commodity risks and the cross-section of equity returns”.

ICMA Centre Students Celebrate Graduation Success!

2 July 2009
Champagne and Celebration was the order of the day, as the ICMA Centre celebrated the success of its students in style. Students graduated at the ceremony on 2 July in the Great Hall at the University's London Road Campus. Prior to the event, graduating students and their guests were invited to the ICMA Centre for a champagne reception.