The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies
Analysis
The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Oxford. It was registered in November 1985, 41 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and arts/culture/heritage/science, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable trust. It says it makes grants to individuals, provides buildings/facilities/open space and sponsors or undertakes research.
In the financial year ending March 2025, The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies reported income of £6.0m and spending of £8.1m, spending 136% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income fell from £8.6m to £6.0m (-31%), an average of -8.8% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2025, when income rose by 47%. Over the whole period it spent 111% of the income it received.
Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies sits at the 99th percentile: it is larger than about 99% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 98th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Art Services Grants Limited (£5.9m), Hampstead Theatre Limited (£6.0m) and Arundel Castle Trustees Limited (£5.9m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 66%, investments 29% and charitable activities 5.2%. Charitable activities took 95% of spending and raising funds 4.1%. Reserves of £711k would cover about 1 months of spending at that rate. It employed 66 people.
Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 66%
- Charitable activities 5.2%
- Investments 29%
In the charity's own words
The principal activites of the charity are dedicated to the encouragement by academic means of a more informed understanding of the culture and civilization of Islam and of contemporary Muslim societies. For these purposes the Centre is committed to the promotion of scholarship, teaching, research, publication and dialogue and co-operation in the world of learning.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Art Services Grants Limited | London | £5.9m |
| Hampstead Theatre Limited | London | £6.0m |
| Arundel Castle Trustees Limited | Arundel | £5.9m |
| Harewood House Trust Limited | Leeds | £6.0m |