Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies

What Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies does

The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) is an independent academic institution incorporated by Royal Charter and registered as a UK charity (no. 293072), founded in 1985 and headquartered on Marston Road in Oxford. It operates as a centre for the advanced study of Islam and the Muslim world, delivering research, scholarship, fellowship, and teaching programmes rather than commercial technology products. Its core offerings include postgraduate and undergraduate scholarship programmes (OCIS-Oxford Scholarships, Khazanah-OCIS Merdeka Scholarships), stipendiary Visiting Fellowships (including the Abdul Aziz Al-Mutawa, Muhammad Bin-Ladin, Imam Bukhari, and Imam Tirmizi fellowships), short courses in Modern Standard Arabic, Qur'anic studies, Islamic worship, and Islamic finance, and the annual Young Muslim Leadership Programme (YMLP) residential summer course. Research infrastructure spans a specialised library, mosque facilities, exhibition spaces, and thematic projects including the Atlas Project, Muslims in Britain, Islamic Finance, Maldives Heritage Survey, and Science, Technology and Environment in Muslim Societies. Publications include the peer-reviewed Journal of Islamic Studies and the Makers of Islamic Civilization series, both disseminated through Oxford University Press.

The Centre's revenue mechanics are those of a registered charity rather than a commercial entity. Direct income is limited to course fees (e.g., £420 per 36-hour Arabic course, £120 for the 8-week History of Early Islamic Public Law course), while most religious education courses are free. The bulk of operating capacity is funded through bilateral scholarship agreements (Khazanah, Foreign and Commonwealth Office / Chevening, Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science), intergovernmental partnerships (ISESCO, Muslim World League, KAICIID), donations, and grants. The customer base is segmented horizontally across academic scholars and researchers, university students (undergraduate and postgraduate), adult learners, and the Young Muslim Leaders persona, with marketing conducted through the institutional website, bilingual newsletters, social media (Instagram, YouTube, Facebook), academic conferences, and the University of Oxford's communications infrastructure. His Majesty King Charles III has served as Patron since 1993, and the Board of Trustees is co-chaired by HRH Prince Turki Al-Faisal, lending institutional prestige rather than operational direction.

Name

Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies

Legal name

Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies

Website

https://oxcis.ac.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies is an independent, Royal Charter-incorporated UK charity in Oxford conducting advanced study of Islam and the Muslim world through scholarships, fellowships, short courses, research, and academic publications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education and Academic Research

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Services (611), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAHAKAI

Islamic Colleges & Sharia/Fiqh Institutes

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Religious & Theological Colleges

Keywords

• Islamic studies research
• Academic scholarship programmes
• Visiting fellowship programmes
• Arabic language courses
• Religious education courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Oxford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies is an independent academic institution providing advanced study of Islam and the Muslim world through scholarship programmes (OCIS-Oxford and Khazanah-OCIS Merdeka), stipendiary visiting fellowships, short courses in Modern Standard Arabic and religious education, the Young Muslim Leadership Programme, peer-reviewed academic publications (Journal of Islamic Studies, Makers of Islamic Civilization), and thematic research projects including Islamic finance, Muslims in Britain, and the Maldives Heritage Survey. The Centre delivers these educational and research services from its purpose-built Oxford campus under Royal Charter incorporation.

Product overview

The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies is an independent academic institution for the advanced study of Islam and the Muslim world, incorporated by Royal Charter and registered as a UK charity. Its product portfolio consists primarily of educational and research services rather than commercial technology products. Core offerings include degree-level education through scholarship programmes (OCIS-Oxford Scholarships, Khazanah-OCIS Merdeka Scholarships), research fellowships (Visiting Fellowships Programme with multiple named fellowships), and academic publications (The Journal of Islamic Studies published with Oxford University Press, Makers of Islamic Civilization series, Occasional Papers). The Centre also provides outreach and educational services including the Young Muslim Leadership Programme (YMLP) summer residential course, short courses in Modern Standard Arabic at multiple proficiency levels, Islamic Finance Summer School, and religious education courses (Qur'anic Arabic, Qur'an recitation, Essentials of Islamic worship). Research infrastructure includes a specialized library, mosque facilities with published prayer times, exhibition spaces, and multiple thematic research projects covering areas such as Islamic finance, Muslims in Britain, and science and technology in Muslim societies. The institution does not operate as a technology products or SaaS company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OCIS – Oxford Scholarships: Scholarships supporting British Muslim students and students from developing countries in Asia and Africa to study at the University of Oxford
• Khazanah-OCIS Merdeka Scholarships
• The Journal of Islamic Studies
• Young Muslim Leadership Programme (YMLP)
• King Charles III Garden

Products and services

• Modern Standard Arabic Courses Arabic language courses offered at four levels (Level 1A, Level 1B, Level 2, and Arabic for Academic Purposes) running over three terms from October to June, taught by native speakers. Priced at £420 per 36-hour course with a 10% discount for University of Oxford and Oxford Brookes students/staff, OCIS Scholars, YMLP Alumni, and current/former OCIS Visiting Fellows.
• Islamic Finance: Markets & Development Summer School A summer school exploring applied Islamic finance concepts, experimental economics, law, markets, innovation, regulation, and economic impact measurement.
• Short Courses - Religious Education Courses including Qur'anic Arabic (tajwid), Qur'an recitation for beginners, Essentials of Islamic worship, and History of Early Islamic Public Law. Religious education courses are free but require registration. History of Early Islamic Public Law is priced at £120 for an 8-week course.
• OCIS-Oxford Scholarships Scholarships launched in 2009 supporting British Muslim students and those from developing countries in Asia and Africa to pursue degrees at the University of Oxford. Up to five undergraduate and five postgraduate scholarships available annually.
• Khazanah-OCIS Merdeka Scholarships Scholarships established in 2008 to mark Malaysia's 50th independence anniversary, enabling outstanding Malaysian students to undertake postgraduate study at Oxford. Since 2008, 28 full scholarship grants have been provided.
• Visiting Fellowships Programme Stipendiary fellowships supporting scholars to conduct independent research at Oxford over two terms, including the Abdul Aziz Al-Mutawa, Muhammad Bin-Ladin, Imam Bukhari, and Imam Tirmizi Visiting Fellowships, plus up to six OCIS-Chevening Visiting Fellowships annually for scholars from specified countries in Asia and Africa.
• Young Muslim Leadership Programme (YMLP) An annual residential summer course at the Centre designed to develop leadership skills and understanding of Islamic tradition and contemporary issues among young Muslims. YMLP Alumni receive a 10% discount on Modern Standard Arabic courses.
• The Journal of Islamic Studies A peer-reviewed academic journal publishing articles on Islam and the Muslim world, produced in partnership with Oxford University Press.
• Makers of Islamic Civilization A publication series documenting influential figures and contributions to Islamic civilization, published by Oxford University Press.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• Victoria and Albert MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023Dr Mariam Rosser-Owen, Curator responsible for the Arab World collections at the V&A Museum, gave a lecture on 'Crafting Medieval Spain: the Torrijos ceiling' in June 2023.
• Victoria and Albert MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2019Academic collaboration for public lectures; Ms Susan Stronge, Senior Curator in the Asian Department at the V&A Museum, gave a lecture on 'Picturing the court: Mughal artists and material culture in the 17th century' at the Centre in November 2019.
• Royal Asiatic SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2018Mr Edward Weech, Librarian at the Royal Asiatic Society, gave a lecture on 'Systems of religion and morality in the collections of the Royal Asiatic Society' in October 2018. The Royal Asiatic Society, founded in 1823, promotes research into the histories and cultures of Asia.
• Muslim World League (Makkah)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2018Partnership for the International Forum on 'Peace in Revealed Religions' in May 2018. The two-day forum explored the value of peace in Abrahamic faiths, part of the Centre's commitment to improve understanding between different cultural, religious, and intellectual traditions. Senior participants included HE Dr Mohammad ibn Abdulkarim Al-Issa (Secretary General of the Muslim World League).
• King Abdullah International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2018HE Dr Faisal Bin Abdulrahman bin Muaammar, Secretary General of KAICIID Vienna, participated as a senior representative at the International Forum on 'Peace in Revealed Religions' co-hosted with the Muslim World League.
• Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2017ISESCO was formally established in 1981 to promote cooperation between OIC member states in education, science, and culture. The Centre and ISESCO established the ISESCO-OCIS Prize for Educators. In September 2017, UNESCO was presented with the 2017 prize at a ceremony in Paris for its contribution to the Promotion of Peace and Co-existence.
• UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2017Award recipient of the ISESCO-OCIS Prize for Educators 2017, presented at ceremony in Paris in September 2017. The prize recognised UNESCO's contribution to the Promotion of Peace and Co-existence, notably UNESCO's 'Different Aspects of Islamic Culture' collection.
• Yayasan Khazanah (Khazanah)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008The Khazanah-OCIS Scholarship Programme (Merdeka Scholarships) was established in 2008 to mark the 50th anniversary of Malaysia's independence. The programme enables outstanding Malaysian students to undertake postgraduate study at the University of Oxford. Since 2008, 28 full scholarship grants have been provided to students. The tenth anniversary was celebrated in July 2018 in Kuala Lumpur with guests including His Majesty Sultan Muhammad V and HRH Sultan Nazrin Shah.
• Foreign and Commonwealth Office / Chevening FellowshipscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Chevening Visiting Fellowships Programme is run in partnership with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Up to six fully funded OCIS-Chevening Visiting Fellowships are typically available annually for scholars from specified countries in Asia and Africa. Chevening Fellows normally spend two terms of self-directed research at the Centre.
• University of OxfordcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Centre operates as an independent institution affiliated with the University of Oxford. It works with various Oxford faculties and colleges, including St Antony's College (Middle East Centre), and contributes to the University of Oxford's academic calendar with seminars listed in the Oxford Gazette.
• Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of ScienceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation with the Kuwait Foundation for the Advisory of Science for the 'Islam and Science' seminar series.
• Research Centre for Islamic Legislation and Ethics (CILE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner for Islamic Ethics seminar series, arranged in partnership with the Middle East Centre at St Antony's College and CILE at the Qatar Faculty for Islamic Studies.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM): Malaysian public university offering Islamic studies, Islamic finance, and Arabic programmes; relevant comparison given OCIS's Khazanah partnership and dedicated Islamic finance research and summer school.
• Al-Azhar University: Cairo's historic Islamic university is the pre-eminent global centre for Islamic theology and Sharia studies, comparison to OCIS as a vastly larger incumbent in Islamic higher education with broader scope and degree-granting authority.

Direct peers

• International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT): Herndon, Virginia-based institute conducting Islamic scholarship and educational reform, with publications and academic programmes comparable to OCIS as a Western institution producing Islamic research and graduate-level education.
• SOAS University of London: London's School of Oriental and African Studies is a UK university with substantial Islamic and Middle Eastern studies, Arabic language, and related theological and social-science research, directly comparable to OCIS as a Western academic home for Islamic studies.
• Cambridge Muslim College: Cambridge-based Muslim theological training institution offering programmes in Islamic studies and chaplaincy; comparable to OCIS as a UK university-affiliated Islamic higher education body with traditional and applied curriculum.
• Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education: Dundee-based higher education institution focused on Islamic studies, Arabic, and education, closely comparable to OCIS as a UK-based, dedicated Islamic higher education provider with scholarship and short-course offerings.
• Institute of Ismaili Studies: London-based research and educational institution dedicated to Islamic studies, with scholarly publications, graduate programmes, and teacher training directly comparable to OCIS's research, publication, and educational missions.

Others

• Muslim World League: Riyadh-based international Islamic NGO with which OCIS co-hosted the 2018 Peace in Revealed Religions forum; relevant as a strategic partner and convening organisation rather than a direct competitor in higher education.

Emerging players

• Bayan Claremont (Bayan Islamic Graduate School): US-based Islamic graduate school offering accredited master's-level Islamic studies education, comparable to OCIS as a smaller, specialised Islamic higher education provider focused on graduate study.
• Leiden University - Leiden Institute for Area Studies: Leading European university with the Leiden Institute for Area Studies and LUCIS (Leiden University Centre for the Study of Islam and Society), directly comparable to OCIS as a Western European research hub for Islamic studies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCa-d_tV8yqw_3_X5UuJG-2A
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Oxford-Centre-for-Islamic-Studies/201031029992353
• Instagraminstagram.com/oxfordcentreforislamicstudies
• Xx.com/OCISOxford

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies