Research programmes

Make your mark in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies with an independent research project completed under expert supervision.

What can I study?

We offer two research-based postgraduate programmes depending on your existing level of expertise, the amount of time you wish to study for, and the outcome you’d like to achieve.

Masters by Research (MScR) in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies

Our Masters by Research (MScR) is a one-year programme that allows you to develop your research skills through the submission of a portfolio of 30,000 words. There are two pathways through the programme: one involving two written assignments (each approximately 6,000 words) and a 15,000 word dissertation; and the other comprising a single 30,000 word dissertation.

Find out more about our MSc by Research in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies

PhD in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies

The highest postgraduate degree awarded by the University of Edinburgh, the PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) programme is typically completed in a minimum of three years (full-time), or up to six years (part-time). We can support research in a wide range of topics, supervising your completion of an original thesis of not more than 100,000 words, which you will defend in an oral examination (viva voce).

Find out more about our PhD in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies