Sharia Law
Islamic Shariah Law prohibits interest-related transactions. A spokesperson from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) stated that (for pre-2012-entry students) “student loans do not incur a real rate of interest and the government does not make any profit out of these loans”. However, for students commencing study from 2012/13 onwards, interest will be charged.
Students would need to conduct their own research and consult a religious adviser/scholar. They may be advised to investigate alternatives such as interest-free loans from Islamic banks; private trusts; look for part-time work; utilise family resources; as well as the non-loan funding allocated via their funding provider (e.g. Student Finance England).
Some banks offer Shariah-compliant accounts, for example:
Postgraduate students
Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ has partnered with Aziz Foundation to offer scholarships to British Muslim postgraduate students wanting to study at Masters level. Students will need to have secured a place on their course at Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ and for the scholarship. Applications are open until 28 March for the first cycle, with a second cycle open from 2 April until 14 June 2024. The scholarships are available for up to three postgraduate students per year, please check which career areas it focusses on.
Future plans for student funding
Following discussions with the National Union of Students (NUS) and FOSIS, the Department for Business, Information and Skills has now completed a consultation exercise. The purpose was to obtain views from students, Muslim communities, and the wider public, on the acceptability of an Alternative Finance product based upon the Takaful Model.
The feedback received indicated that the proposal would meet the needs of the majority of students concerned about interest charges. The Government will now begin to examine what may be required to allow this product to be offered to students through the Student Loans Company. Additionally, legal changes will also be sought and the Government will continue to work with Islamic finance specialists to refine the Takaful model into a functioning product.
Given the complexity of these issues and the time needed to resolve them, it is unlikely that any alternative finance product would be available any time soon.
Useful contact
(Imam) Mohammed Laher, Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ Muslim Chaplain
E: muslimchaplain@dmu.ac.uk