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

DMU 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 DMU 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, DMU Muslim Chaplain

E: muslimchaplain@dmu.ac.uk