The Islamic Finance industry has grown rapidly as more of the world’s current 1.6 billion Muslims seek investment that comply with their religious belief. Today, Islamic finance has moved beyond borders and religious and is growing 50 per cent faster than the transitional banking sector. The global Islamic banking assets, which stands at USD 1.3 trillion in 2011 is expected to reach USD 2 trillion by 2014 and has registered an average annual growth at 19% over the last 4 years.

“The Islamic Finance industry has grown significantly in Malaysia over the past 30 years. Today, Malaysia is accredited as being the global leader in Islamic Banking and Finance.”

Programme Aim

The MSc in Islamic Banking & Finance offers an innovative approach to acquiring contemporary knowledge in Islamic Banking & Finance. The programme is led by qualified practitioners of Islamic Banking and Finance as well as experience academic researchers. Students will be able to enhance their knowledge as well as develop and gain industry experience that will give them the cutting edge in the Islamic Banking and Finance field. The programme aims not only to develop scholars in Islamic Banki and Finance but to equip them with the tools and techniques to methodologically resolve particular issues in this field.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this programme, graduates will be able to:-

1. To justify how research In Islamic Banking and Finance is developed
2. To relate the contrasting epistemological perspectives that underpin Islamic Banking and Finance research.
3. To recognize and deal ethical issues arising in the field of Islamic Banking and Finance.
4. To establish theoretical debates around the status of knowledge claims based on existing Islamic Banking and Finance research.

Globally, over 300 Islamic Banks and investment firms manage more than USD 800 Billion. They will hold 40-50% of the savings of the world’s Muslim population in 8-10 years. Reuters 2012

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

1. A recognized bachelor degree or equivalent and
2. Proficiency in English (IELTS score of 6.0 or more). Alternatively you may enroll with the Binary University’s English Language Centre, the level of entry will depend on the placement test results.

AREA OF RESEARCH

1. Operational risk management in Islamic Banks
2. Service quality measurement in Islamic Banks
3. Islamic financial instruments development
4. Performance and efficiency of Islamic banks and takaful
5. Performance measurement and profitability of Islamic banks
6. Applying AAOIFI Accounting standards in Islamic banking sector
7. Corporate and Shari’ah governance for Islamic banking and finance
8. Islamic banking and finance law
9. Performance of Islamic mutual funds
10. Fiqh muamalat in Islamic banking and finance

CAREER PROSPECTS

A career in Islamic banking and finance goes beyond a capable banker. Opportunities exist within different levels of financial and academic institutions, both in Malaysia and internationally.

Globally, there are over 500 Islamic banks and Islamic financial institutions, and there is serious interest in Islamic banking and finance from non-Muslims countries including China, Japan, Canada, United States and United Kingdom

Within these institutions, candidates can explore lucrative careers in: