Flexible and Customized Study Plans

International Open University offers an organized and structured intensive Higher Diploma (BMARB) flexible study plan. We give the utmost importance to provide the best study guide possible to meet our students’ needs and circumstances. The purpose of IOU is not only to see its students graduate with our customized programs, but also to see them pass on the knowledge gained at IOU to others and implement that knowledge throughout their lives.
To achieve this goal, we have designed flexible and customized Islamic studies for our students to choose from, which are interchangeable each semester. A student who chooses one plan for one semester is allowed to choose another plan the following semester. The only mandatory requirement is that the student completes the entire program within a maximum period of three years (6 semesters).

SEMESTER PLAN 1: Regular/Normal Semester Study:

The first IOU Higher Diploma (BMARB) semester has five courses in two semesters. Each semester lasts for approximately five months. For each module, there is one recorded lecture by the instructor. There are also recorded supplementary sessions conducted by thefaculty members for each of the modules. Students following this semester plan are expected to devote a minimum of four hours per week, per module to listen to the lectures, read the assigned texts for the session, take the session (module) quiz, and prepare class assignments (if any). This requires eighteen to twenty-four hours,per week, of studying.
NOTE:
1. The plan above is beneficial for students who want to complete the Higher Diploma (BMARB) in 1 year and start their M.A. in Arabic as well as those who wish to gain knowledge in an organized and structured manner.
2. This is an ideal study plan for students under normal circumstances

SEMESTER PLAN 2: Part Time Study:

Part-time students are allowed to take as few as one course per semester.however they may take up to 3 courses per semester in this plan. The students must complete the entire program in a maximum of three years. We, therefore, recommend that students take half of the full load (i.e. three courses) and devote nine to twelve hours per week studying. If, due to personal circumstances, a student is unable to take three courses and takes only one or two courses per semester, then he/she will have to take more courses in subsequent semesters so that the entire program can be completed within three years.
NOTE:
1. This plan is recommended for busy students (e.g., working, studying, married). We advise students to go at a slower pace if they have time restrictions which prevent them from concentrating on a larger number of courses.
2. Although the students have an option to pause their studies after a semester or two, we do not recommend they do so. If a student is busy and is unable to devote time for a regular study load, then we recommend that he/she choose the part time semester plan.