Postgraduate study
Choose from a range of taught and research-led programmes, including one-year masters degrees, and our PhD in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies.
What's it like to study here?
With over 260 years of history in teaching and research, we are globally recognised as a leading centre for postgraduate study in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies.
Join our community and you’ll be part of a friendly, international group with interests spanning the languages, history, culture, religion and politics of the Middle East and the wider Islamic world.
Highlights include regular seminars by staff, research students and visiting speakers, the annual W.M. Watt Lecture, and a wide range of cultural events, conferences and collaborations, helping you develop the fluency and confidence to operate at the highest professional and academic levels.
Our research resources and facilities are outstanding, and we have excellent links with a number of centres and networks, from the Alwaleed Centre and the Centre for Medieval & Renaissance Studies at the University of Edinburgh, to the Edinburgh Iranian Festival.
What can I study?
Taught programmes
Combining a course in critical readings, training in research skills and methods, option courses spanning a wide range of specialisms, and optional language learning, this masters programme will help you gain an advanced, interdisciplinary understanding of the history, modern politics and culture of the Islamic Middle East, as well as the paradigms behind the various disciplines within the field.
Full-time, one year (all students) ꟾ part-time, two years (eligibility criteria apply)
Find out more and apply on the University of Edinburgh Degree Finder
This bold new masters programme will encourage you to engage with the contemporary Muslim world in all its global and regional diversity. Combining core and optional courses, and a dissertation, it is truly interdisciplinary in bringing together Area Studies, Social and Political Science, Religious Studies and History to explore the unique characteristics of contemporary Muslim societies.
Full-time, one year (all students) ꟾ part-time, two years (eligibility criteria apply)
Find out more and apply on the University of Edinburgh Degree Finder
Research programmes
Tailored to your area of interest, this masters programme comprises two written assignments (each approximately 6,000 words) and a 15,000 word dissertation. You’ll also take courses in Research Skills and Methods, and Research Problems and Methods in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies.
Full-time, one year (all students) ꟾ part-time, two years (eligibility criteria apply)
There's lots more information about our Masters by Research (MScR) and what to do in advance of applying, on our website. You are strongly advised to read this information and follow our guidelines before making a formal application on the University of Edinburgh Degree Finder.
Take me to more information about the MScR and guidelines on what to do in advance of applying
Designed to support you make a definite and original contribution to the field of knowledge in IMES, our PhD programme will enable you to pursue independent research under the supervision of one or more of our expert staff, with optional training in research skills and methods. We offer supervision in a wide range of specialist and interdisciplinary areas, from diaspora studies, and Islamic history, to the Persian, Arabic and Turkish languages, and the politics of the modern Middle East.
Full-time, three years (all students) ꟾ part-time, six years (eligibility criteria apply)
There's lots more information about our PhD, and what to do in advance of applying, on our website. You are strongly advised to read this information and follow our guidelines before making a formal application on the University of Edinburgh Degree Finder.
Take me to more information about the PhD and guidelines on what to do in advance of applying
Entrance requirements, fees, funding and more...
You can find out about entrance requirements, start dates, fees and scholarship opportunities for all these postgraduate programmes on the University of Edinburgh’s Degree Finder. Degree Finder links straight through to EUCLID, the online system for applying to postgraduate programmes at the University.
Applications to start a programme in September 2023 are now open. Selected PhD programmes are also available for January 2023 entry. See Degree Finder for details.
Find out more on the University of Edinburgh Degree finder
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Not sure which programme is right for you?
We're happy to help you decide between taught and research-led masters programmes.
Email us about postgraduate study in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies
The programme was, for me, a genuinely life-changing experience. In its demanding but sympathetic environment, I went from basic spoken Palestinian Arabic to working on literary translations. But perhaps more importantly I found in IMES a department in which enthusiastic students had space to grow, flourish, and explore. I can't recommend it highly enough.
Research Excellence Framework 2021
In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), our research was submitted in the categories of:
- Modern Languages and Linguistics
- Politics
- Sociology
- History
- Theology
The results reaffirm Edinburgh’s position as one of the UK’s leading research universities - third in the UK based on the quality and breadth of its research in Modern Languages and Linguistics alone, according to Times Higher Education's REF power ratings.
The Research Excellence Framework is the UK’s system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.
Our REF performance recognises that our excellent work has a direct impact both nationally and internationally in politics, business and the third sector.
QS World Rankings by Subject 2022
The University of Edinburgh is ranked 3rd in the UK for Modern Languages.
We are also 3rd in the UK in the broad subject area of Arts & Humanities.
Globally, we’re in the World Top 10 for Arts & Humanities (9) and Modern Languages (10).
The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings are based on the results of major global surveys of employers and academics, along with research citations.
They are International Ranking Expert Group (IREG) approved.
Are you currently studying with us?
There’s lots more information for taught and postgraduate research students on our LLC Student Information Hub. You will need your student log in to access the site.
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Where to next?
Take me to all postgraduate study options in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures