MA Middle Eastern Studies
UCAS code: T600
Duration: 4 years
Delivery: Full-time
School: Literatures, Languages and Cultures
College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Introducing MA Middle Eastern Studies
Located at the crossroads between Europe, Africa and Asia, the Middle East has played a pivotal role on the world stage from ancient times.
The University of Edinburgh is recognised in the UK and internationally as a leading institution for the study of the Middle East, Middle Eastern languages and the Islamic world.
Taking an Area Studies approach to the region, our MA programme is designed to develop your knowledge and understanding of the Middle East's historical, literary, cultural and political aspects, both past and present.
Your study will involve:
discussion of key issues
practice in applying concepts (both in discussion and in writing)
the analysis and interpretation of source material
In Year 1 (with an option to continue into Year 2), you will also have language tuition in up to two of the three main languages of the Middle East:
Arabic
Persian
Turkish
Year 1
You will take classes in at least one Middle Eastern language, choosing from:
Arabic
Persian
Turkish
You will also choose courses in:
Islamic history
the religion of Islam
Islamic and Middle Eastern cultures
You will have the option to choose two courses from a wide range of subjects offered by the University of Edinburgh.
Year 2
You will take Modern Middle Eastern History and option courses of your choice.
You may continue with your language studies, taking either Arabic 2, Persian 2 or Turkish 2 as appropriate.
Year 3
You will continue to study a range of courses on subjects relating to the Middle East, including:
history
politics
religion
cultural studies
If international travel restrictions allow, you may have the option to study abroad.
Year 4
You will continue with your Honours studies, choosing from a wide range of Middle East-related options from subject areas including:
history
politic
religion
arts
cultural studies
You will also complete a dissertation on a subject of your choice and under the supervision of an academic adviser.
Our facilities
Teaching takes place in and around the University of Edinburgh's Central Area.
Edinburgh is a world-leading festival city filled with cinemas, theatres, galleries, libraries and collections, including the National Library, Museum, and Galleries of Scotland.
You will have access to the University's excellent:
computing and audiovisual resources
support services
social spaces
You'll also have access to over 23,000 Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies resources in its collections, including Islamic manuscripts.
We also have our own library in 19 George Square.
Study abroad
If international travel restrictions allow, you may have the option to study abroad. Regardless of location, you will study a range of courses on subjects relating to Islam or the Middle East.
How will I learn?
Courses are taught through a combination of:
lectures
tutorials
seminars
Throughout, you are encouraged to:
undertake independent reading to supplement and consolidate what is being taught formally
broaden your individual knowledge and understanding of the subject
How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed by a combination of exams and coursework, including:
essays
exercises
presentations
You will also complete a dissertation in your final year.
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.
Graduating with an understanding of the Islamic world, and of the Arabic language, is an excellent primer for a range of careers in:
the media
non-government organisations
industry
commerce
education
the diplomatic and civil services
With increasing migration in response to changing global dynamics, there is high demand for our graduates both at home and abroad.
There are also opportunities to continue studying at postgraduate level, with Year 4 in particular developing the research skills you'll need if you choose this path.
Standard entry requirement
The standard entry requirement is:
- SQA Highers: AAAA-AABB by end of S5 or AAAA-AAAB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
- A Levels: AAB - ABB.
- IB: 36 points with 665 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.
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.
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.
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 Middle Eastern Studies
Additional costs
If you study abroad, there will be additional costs. Grants may be available for participating students to help with the extra costs of studying and living abroad.
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.
- Enquiry Management Team
- Email: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
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