Short Courses

Taʿlim Curriculum

Student Support

Study at the IIS

Explore transformative learning opportunities through our graduate programmes, short courses and fellowship schemes—apply today to further your academic and professional aspirations.

Overview

Secondary Teacher Education Programme (STEP)

Graduate Programme in Islamic Studies and Humanities (GPISH)

Designed to introduce participants to a social, cultural, and civilisational approach to the study of Islam and Muslim societies with a particular focus on Ismaili contexts.

Zahid Ali Fellowship

Annemarie Schimmel Fellowship

Visiting Fellowship Programme

Post Graduate Research Fellowship

Farhad Daftary Doctoral Scholarship Programme

Mohammed Arkoun Doctoral Scholarship

Dissertation Writing Scholarship

The IIS produces a range of educational materials and resources for use by religious education teachers and students located in over 25 countries.

Throughout their time at the IIS, students are provided with support for their academic, personal, and professional development.

Study at the IIS

Explore transformative learning opportunities through our graduate programmes, short courses and fellowship schemes—apply today to further your academic and professional aspirations.
Research

Aga Khan Library

Special Collections Access

Scholarly contributions

Ismailis in Iran

Ismailis in Iran retraces the nearly thousand-year-long history of the Nizari Ismailis in Iran.

Research at the IIS seeks to contribute to the field of Islamic studies in general with a particular focus on Shiʿi and Ismaili studies.

Central Asian Studies

Constituency Studies

Ismaili Heritage

Ismaili Special Collections

Ismaili Studies

Qur’anic Studies

Shiʿi Studies

South Asian Studies

Overview

Publications listing

Publications series

World of Islam Audiobooks

Reading Guides and Lists

The Aga Khan Library service supports teaching, learning, and research at The Institute of Ismaili Studies.

We hold a significant repository of special collections related to the heritage of Ismaili communities and of other Muslim traditions.

Our Scholarly contributions section features a rich collection of articles that reflect our commitment to intellectual exploration and lifelong learning.

Ismailis in Iran

Ismailis in Iran retraces the nearly thousand-year-long history of the Nizari Ismailis in Iran.
Latest news

Upcoming events

Multimedia centre

Update Magazine

IIS Update Magazine Edition 23

Explore how digital technologies support innovation at the IIS and delve into fresh translations of our scholarly research. Read the latest Update now.

Stay updated with the latest research, events, and academic insights from the Institute.

Explore our upcoming events, conferences, workshops, and book launches at The Institute of Ismaili Studies.

Islamic History and Thought Lecture Series

Arabic and Islamic History Lecture Series

Explore our multimedia content ranging from interviews with authors of publications to lectures delivered by IIS scholars and guest speakers as well as of select events hosted by the Institute.

Stay informed about our programs, publications and faculty news by exploring the latest IIS Update.

IIS Update Magazine Edition 23

Explore how digital technologies support innovation at the IIS and delve into fresh translations of our scholarly research. Read the latest Update now.
Partners

Careers

Our Timeline

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Celebrating the legacy of His Highness the Aga Khan IV through Special Collections at the IIS

Overview

Our Founder

Governance

Our People

Our Alumni

Policies and documents

Overview

His Highness the Aga Khan

Ismaili Community

We collaborate with other institutions of the Ismaili Imamat and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).

We recruit talented and committed people from a wide range of professional and cultural backgrounds.

Discover the rich history and milestones of the Institute through our interactive timeline.

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Celebrating the legacy of His Highness the Aga Khan IV through Special Collections at the IIS
Shop

Book Launch – Ismailis in Iran

Join author Shayesteh Ghofrani at the Ismaili Centre, London on 23 April as she shares her experiences and research that led to this exciting new book.

Find out more

Call for papers: Elemental: Ismaili Perspectives on Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Ether

This conference represents a foundational step for the IIS in establishing a dedicated conversation on environmental research and praxis by generating research on Ismaili conceptualisations of the elements, as well as contributions to environment-related discourses and practices.

Read more

A photographic celebration of Aga Khan IV

The Ismaili Special Collections Unit has launched a photo gallery in celebration of the legacy of His Highness Aga Khan IV, the founder of The Institute of Ismaili Studies.

Find out more

Aga Khan IV arriving at the IIS in 1981

Read IIS publications on the go with new online shop

We are excited to announce our foray into ecommerce with a new online bookshop. The IIS Shop is now available to users in the United Kingdom to purchase digital versions of some of our eminently readable materials.

Find out more

About us

The Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS) was established in 1977 as an academic institution of higher education. It is dedicated to the study of Islam with a particular focus on the history, philosophy, law, and mysticism of Ismaili and broader Shiʿi intellectual and cultural heritages within the larger Muslim society.

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Study with us

Graduate studies

The IIS currently offers two graduate programmes which attract students from Ismaili communities world-wide.

Short Courses

Our Short Courses are designed to introduce participants to a social, cultural, and civilisational approach to the study of Islam and Muslim societies, with a particular focus on Ismaili contexts.

Fellowships and Scholarships

The Institute offers various scholarship and fellowship programmes to suitable candidates with a focus on Islamic studies or other areas of interest to the IIS.

Discover our research

Research at IIS seeks to contribute to the field of Islamic studies in general, with a particular focus on Shiʿi and Ismaili studies.

Find out more

Explore our publications

The Institute of Ismaili Studies publishes works by its own scholars as well as from the academic community outside the Institute.

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Gallery

From Hirabad to Mubarak Colony: Zebunnisa's Story of Migration and Transformation

Discover the growth and change of the Ismaili community in Hyderabad through the eyes of Zebunissa and the guidance of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.

Explore full story

Podcast

Exploring Muslim Sicily with Nuha Alshaar and Shainool Jiwa

The IIS scholars Dr Nuha Alshaar and Dr Shainool Jiwa discuss the recent publication Muslim Sicily: Encounters and Legacy on Radio ReOrient.

Listen Podcast here

11th Century map of Sicily

Podcast

Remembering Aga Khan IV

Dr Daryoush Mohammad Poor recently featured on The World radio to discuss the work and legacy of His Highness the Aga Khan IV.

Listen to full interview here

Upcoming events

Book launch

Ismailis in Iran book launch

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IHTLS

Conceptual Photography and the Craft of Reading Islamic Historical Texts

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Screening

‘The Professional’ screening and discussion

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IHTLS

Religion That Matters

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Latest News

Call for papers: Elemental: Ismaili Perspectives on Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Ether

A photographic celebration of Aga Khan IV

IIS hosts filmmakers for Songs of the Sufi screening

Connect with the month of Ramadan

Assassins: Beyond the Legend

Aga Khan IV — An Educational Legacy with a Contemporary Relevance

IIS scholar performs at the British Museum