MA Classical and Middle East Studies

Year 1

You will take two courses on Islamic history. You will select two survey courses on the history and culture of the Greek and/or Roman worlds. Additionally, you will choose two courses from a wide range of options.

Year 2

You will take two courses, covering either Modern Middle Eastern History or Islam and Islamic and Middle Eastern Cultures; you will also select a course in ancient history, and a further course from ancient history, Greek or Roman art and archaeology or classical literature in translation.

Additionally, you will choose two courses from a wide range of options.

Year 3

You will select two classics honours courses, and two courses on Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies or related subjects. You will complete a further two courses from Middle Eastern studies and/or classics.

Year 4

A third of your final year’s study will consist of a dissertation on a topic of your choice in either classics or Middle East studies. You will also complete four relevant honours courses from classics and Islamic and Middle Eastern studies.

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2020/21)

Our facilities

You will be taught in the School of History, Classics & Archaeology and in other lecture rooms and classrooms around the University's Central Area. The School building is home to a Student Research Room and subject collections.

Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies (IMES) has its own library in 19 George Square, and you'll also have access to over 23,000 IMES resources in the University's collections, as well as its excellent computing and audiovisual resources, support services and social spaces. Additionally, you can apply for access to the outstanding collections of the National Library of Scotland and the National Museum of Scotland. Both are located near the University.

Study abroad

There are plenty of opportunities to study abroad in Year 3 by applying for one of the University’s many international exchanges. These cover practically every continent on the globe, from Europe, North and South America to Australasia.

These are unique opportunities to immerse yourself in different university systems and cultures.

What are my options for going abroad?

How will I learn?

Courses are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and small group tutorials. Some classes take you out of the classroom and into the local museums and libraries. Especially at honours level, teaching is often closely inspired by the cutting-edge research of our academic staff.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed by exams and coursework, and sometimes by practical exercises.

Programme details

Find out more about this programme's aims, what you will learn, how you will be assessed and what skills and knowledge you will develop.

To give you an idea of what to expect from this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme details (2020/21)

Graduates will be very well placed to pursue important postgraduate research. They will also bring important critical analytical skills and cultural and theoretical understanding into the wider marketplace, in the non-governmental sector, the Civil Service, industry, commerce, heritage industries and education.

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: AAAB-ABBB by end of S5 or AAAA-AABB/ABBBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: AAB - ABB.
• IB: 39 points with 666 at HL - 34 points with 655 at HL.

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 34 points with 655 at HL.

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

• SQA: Highers: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5s: English at C.
• A Levels: no specific A Level subjects required. GCSEs: English at C or 4.
• IB: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: English at 5.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme.

International Foundation Programme

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 at C
• SQA Standard Grade at 3
• SQA Intermediate 1 at A
• SQA Intermediate 2 at C
• GCSE/IGSCE at C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate Grade C
• IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified*:

• IELTS Academic module overall 6.5 with 5.5 in each component.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Special Home Edition) 92 or above with 20 in each section. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency overall 176 with 162 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with a distinction in all four components.

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

English language qualifications must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the degree you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

English language requirements

*(Revised 27 April 2020 to include TOEFL-iBT Special Home Edition.)

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Please note that some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for MA Classical and Middle East Studies

Additional costs

If you study abroad in Year 3, your costs will vary by country.

Funding

For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.

Fees and funding

• Enquiry Management Team
• Email: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk