The Institute of Martial Arts and Sciences is a completely new concept in martial arts. It has been formed by a group of high-ranking martial arts instructors, educators, researchers and academics with the following goals in mind:
- To encourage education and research in the martial arts
- To promote professionalism throughout the martial arts and amongst martial arts instructors in particular
- To afford martial artists the opportunity of obtaining recognised and accredited qualifications
- To act as a platform to encourage academic debate
The institute seeks to unite all schools and styles of martial arts under the banner of mutual trust, respect and cooperation, encouraging the exchange of different ideas and opinions towards the advancement of existing knowledge.
GRADES OF MEMBERSHIP
Fellow (FIMAS) The candidate must possess a recognised advanced academic degree/professional qualification (or equivalent) and must hold the rank of at least 5th Dan black belt (or equivalent) in one or more martial arts.
Member (MIMAS) The candidate must possess a recognised academic degree/professional qualification (or equivalent) and must hold the rank of at least 1st Dan black belt (or equivalent) in one or more martial arts.
Associate (AIMAS) The candidate must have, or be studying towards, a recognised academic degree/professional qualification (or equivalent) with at least one years experience and training in one or more martial arts OR must hold the rank of at least brown belt (or equivalent) in one or more martial arts, and be willing to undertake further martial arts training and academic study, in accordance with the primary goals of the Institute mentioned above.
The institute will deliver both “in-house” and UK accredited qualifications at various levels in different aspects of the martial arts and related fields including:
Teaching/coaching qualifications
Health and Safety
Child Protection
Equality and Diversity
Martial arts/Self Defence
Grad.IMAS (degree level qualification)
Etc.
The institute also works in conjunction with universities and institutes both in the UK and elsewhere to enable suitably qualified and experienced martial artists to study towards university research degrees in martial arts studies at both undergraduate/post graduate levels (Grad.IMAS/Bachelors/Masters/Doctorate)
Dissertations/Thesis for these research degrees must be of the length stipulated by the awarding university, must be bound and presented in accordance with requirements, and candidates will have to undergo a viva (oral examination) where they will be required to answer certain questions regarding their research and defend it in an confident and competent manner.
Some of these research degree programmes will be delivered by an ELCAS accredited provider (Enhanced Learning for the Armed Forces scheme) and opportunities will also exist for successful candidates to eventually be considered for appointments as Adjunct Professors attached to the Faculty of Martial Arts.
Interested parties should contact the Institute via the email address mentioned above