Candidates who wish to apply for the Doctor of Philosophy program by research must have one of the following qualifications:

1. A Master’s Degree from UKM or any institution of Higher learning recognized by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and/or having accreditation recognized by an overseas Accreditation Body, or an institution having accreditation as prescribed by a program; or
2. other qualifications equivalent to a Master’s Degree or having other qualifications with experience recognized by the Senate; or
3. Faculty students who is currently attending a full time Master’s program (fully research) and get an approval from the Program Evaluation Committee of the Faculty to convert his status to a Doctorate programme with the approval of Dean of the Faculty; or
4. Bachelor’s Degree with excellent results from the University or any higher learning institution recognised by the Senate; or
5. other qualifications recognised by the Senate and through Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL); or
6. meet the requirements of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA); or
7. Candidates WITHOUT qualifications or work experience in the field of Islamic Studies, but interested in conducting cross-disciplinary studies with the field of Islamic Studies, must take appropriate prerequisite courses and meet the minimum requirements set by the Program; and
8. fulfils other requirements prescribed by the programme (if applicable); and
9. Fulfils Language Requirements.