Academic and Student Services
The Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS) Library
The IIS Library is one of the most significant central archives of Ismaili materials in the world. The collection comprises nearly 25,000 items from reference works, books, periodicals and journal articles to theses on various aspects of Islamic history, theology, philosophy, law and literature, with a focus on Shi‘i works and esoteric traditions.
Besides a core collection in Islamic studies, the Library has a specialised holding of Ismaili printed materials comprising nearly 1,000 volumes of texts and monographs, over 700 articles and off-prints, as well as a small collection of Ismaili journals. A special collection of rare books and documents is also being developed.
The manuscript collection of the Institute’s Library consists of nearly 1,500 volumes. Besides a small nucleus of manuscripts that contain the text of the Holy Qur’an, the scope of the collection encompasses a variety of subjects including jurisprudence, theology, philosophy, logic, grammar, medicine, astronomy and alchemy, as well as poetical and biographical works.
Institute of Education (IOE) Library
The Newsam Library houses the largest collection of materials on education in the United Kingdom. The Reference collection provides reference works, indexes to journal articles, legal guidance, statistics of education in the UK and recent official government publications.
The library subscribes to a wide range of journals on education published both in the UK and many other countries. An increasing number are available in electronic format. The other subjects collection contains material on education-related topics such as philosophy, psychology, sociology and linguistics. The Archives house historical papers from organisations and individuals involved in education. Most special collections are discrete historical collections bequeathed to the library. The library also holds theses and dissertations by Institute students.
IT Facilities and Support
The IOE provides facilities for students including Mac and PC-based general computing facilities, including standard software and email applications, networked file storage and Internet access. In addition, STEP participants will have access to computing facilities within the IIS.
Academic Writing Support
All STEP students are offered academic writing support from both the Academic Writing Centre at the IOE as well as a tailored support programme from the IIS to developing language proficiency and reading skills. A pre-sessional programme is also available for those students requiring additional help for a period of up to three months prior to commencement of the STEP.
Academic Advisors
All students are allocated an academic advisor at the IIS, who will track and monitor the academic progress of their students throughout the two years. Advisors act as mentors and provide students with the appropriate support that will guide them in their journey to become professional teachers.
Student Services
STEP participants are registered as students of the Institute of Education and may access all of the student resources of the IOE and the University of London. These include:
- International student support
- Student welfare
- Disabilties support
- Academic literacy support
- Counselling services
The Institute of Ismaili Studies provides various other student services to complement those offered by the IOE.
Gateways