Some three million Islamic manuscripts are thought to survive in collections around the world. Most of them are unedited and unpublished. This course offers an in-depth, hands-on introduction to the practical skills needed to unlock these resources: to consult unedited texts, collate manuscript witnesses to produce textual editions, use paratextual evidence to study scholarly networks and activities, and appreciate the materiality of manuscripts as unique cultural artefacts.
Subjects covered will include:
- An overview of the history of Islamic book culture
- Major bookhands of the Islamic world: Naskh, Nastaʿlīq and Maghribī
- Signs of manuscript production: Collation statements, quire marks and colophons
- Bibliographical data: Title pages, tables of contents, and prefaces
- Ownership and provenance: Dedication statements, ownership inscriptions, and seals
- Manuscript consumption: Marginalia, abbreviations, readers’ statements and teaching certificates
- Non-verbal knowledge encoding: Tables, figures, numerals and illustrations
- Online and print resources for the study of Islamic manuscripts
Participants will gain familiarity with manuscripts representing a wide range of periods, locations and textual genres from across the Islamic world. Although Arabic-script manuscripts in various languages will be discussed, and many of the key concepts apply across the range of Islamic manuscripts, this course will focus on Arabic-language materials.
No prior palaeographical or codicological experience is needed, but students should have at least an intermediate reading knowledge of Arabic to benefit from the course.
Course tutors: Dr Bink Hallum & Jenny Norton-Wright
Fees
The fee for the London International Palaeography School 2026 includes the provision of documentary materials.
| Rate per course | |
|---|---|
| Standard | £675 |
| Concession* | £490 |
*student/unwaged
Please get in touch with the Summer Schools Administrator if you have any questions (iesevents@sas.ac.uk)
Bursaries 2026
We are pleased to offer a limited number of bursaries for attendance at the IES London International Palaeography School. We are grateful for the support of the Bibliographical Society, who have kindly provided funds for these bursaries.
- Bursaries will be offered for a fee reduction.
- Applications will be judged on the basis of financial need, as well as benefit to the applicant. We will use your ‘Statement of Motivation’ and ‘Statement of Need’ to help us make the awards.
- Decisions will be made by senior academic staff in the IES.
- You are usually expected to write a short blog after attending LIPS about your experience.
If you have any questions about the Bursary scheme, please email iesevents@sas.ac.uk.
Applications should be submitted by 7 April 2026, and you will be notified of the outcome by the end of April 2026.
Palaeography 