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Sharia Law

Some students express concern about student loans due to their faith and Sharia Law. 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 Sharia-compliant accounts, for example: 

Future plans for student funding

 is in the planning stage to be a student loan scheme that is certified as Sharia-compliant, using the Islamic finance principle of Takaful. Students who can’t take out interest-bearing loans for religious reasons can consider this alternative option. The Department for Education is working with the Student Loans Company to plan the timeline. From the 2026/27 academic year, Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) will replace the post-18 student finance system in England. The aim is to introduce Alternative Student Finance as soon as possible after LLE is introduced.

Postgraduate students

º£½ÇÉçÇø is partnered with the 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 º£½ÇÉçÇø and  for the scholarship. For students whose course started between June - August 2025, applications for the first cycle closed on 4 April 2025. For students whose course starts in September 2025 or January 2026, applications for the second cycle are open from 8 April until 20 June 2025. Please .

Useful contact

(Imam) Mohammed Laher, º£½ÇÉçÇø Muslim Chaplain

E: muslimchaplain@dmu.ac.uk