The programme is designed to produce scholars and experts in Usul al-Din and/or Comparative Religion who are committed to spiritual, moral, intellectual and creative excellence. In handling the programme, the department emphasizes integration of knowledge by harmonizing the traditional and contemporary methods of study; considering both the Islamic heritage and relevant aspects of modern disciplines such as philosophy, ethics and hermeneutics. This is meant to prepare graduates in facing contemporary challenges and issues related to the creed, ideology, beliefs and religious practices.

This is a full time and a part-time programme that requires a minimum of 3 years (6 semesters) and  5 years (10 semesters) respectively to complete. The maximum period allowed for the programme is 6 years (12 semesters) for the former and 8 years (16 semesters) for the latter.

Candidates are trained in research methods, Islamisation of human knowledge and a specialized area in Usul al-Din or Comparative Religion to prepare them for the challenging taks of producing original research in the form of a dissertation/thesis. The expected length of the dissertation/thesis is around 80,000 – 1000,000 words and it can be written either in English or Arabic. Areas in which supervision is available include classical and modern Islamic thoughts, ethics, Da’wah, Sufism, Islamic sects, contemporary challenges to the Islamic faith, interfaith dialogue and comparative study between Islam and other religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity.