MA in
MA Middle Eastern Studies and Intensive Languages SOAS University of London
Introduction
Mode of Attendance: Full-time or part-time
The MA in Middle Eastern Studies provides exceptional opportunities for studying this diverse and fascinating area at the postgraduate level through a variety of disciplinary approaches. The main emphasis of the programme is on the modern period through the modules in history, geography, politics, economics and anthropology. Some exposure is provided, however, to the pre-modern culture and society of the area through modules in religious studies, Islamic art and archaeology, and history. The Intensive language programme has many language modules for students to pick and choose from, including introduction, intermediate, advanced Arabic, Hebrew, Persian and Turkish. Students will also spend the summer taking an Advanced Study Abroad module, worth 45 credits, while also having a choice of studying two years full-time or four years part-time.
May be combined with:
The following Intensive Language pathways are available with the MA Middle Eastern Studies:
- Arabic
- Persian
- Turkish
Gallery
Admissions
Curriculum
Structure
Students must take 315 credits in total, comprised of 255 taught credits (45 of which are taught abroad as part of a Summer School) and a 60-credit dissertation as outlined below.
In their first year, students on the two-year Intensive Language programmes take 60 credits of intensive language instruction and 60 credits in the discipline. During the summer, they participate in a Summer School abroad. In the second year, they take another 30 language credits as well as 60 credits in the discipline; they also complete their dissertation in the discipline.
Please note that on all Area Studies degrees, including Middle Eastern Studies:
- A maximum of 60 credits can be taken in any one subject area.
- A minimum of three subject areas must be covered.
Year 1 (two years full time)
Discipline Component
A major module(s) from the list below to the value of 30 credits.
Plus
A minor module(s) from the list below to the value of 30 credits.
Language Component
Students take 60 credits in the selected language.
Summer Abroad
Students participate in a Summer School abroad for the selected language.
Year 2 (two years full time)
Discipline Component
A minor module(s) from the list below to the value of 30 credits.
Plus
A module(s) from the list below to the value of 30 credits.
Or
A module(s) from Postgraduate Open Options to the value of 30 credits.
Language Component
Students take 30 credits in the selected language.
Dissertation
- Dissertation in Middle Eastern Studies
Anthropology and Sociology
Available as minors only
- Issues in the Anthropology of Gender
- Culture and Society of Middle East
Art and Archaeology
Available as majors or minors
- Art and Architecture of the Seljuks and Ottomans (12th -15th centuries)
- Arab Painting
- Art and Architecture of the Fatimids
- Islam and the West: Artistic and Cultural Contacts
Development Studies
Available as a major or minor
- Problems of Development in the Middle East and North Africa
Economics
Available as a major or minor
- Political Economy of Development and Change in the Middle East
- Topics in the Political Economy of Contemporary Middle East
Gender
Available as a minor only
- Gender in the Middle East
- Gendering Migration & Diasporas
History
Available as majors or minors
Please note that the 'Modernity and Transformation' courses can be taken together or individually, only as majors.
- Reading Classical Arabic Historians: Themes and Trends in Islamic Historiography
- Critical Perspectives on Palestine Studies I: History and Politics
- Critical Perspectives on Palestine Studies II: Culture and Society
- Encountering the Other: the Middle East during the Crusading Period
- Israel and the Palestinians
- Jerusalem: Life in a Contested Place
- Outsiders in Medieval Middle Eastern Societies: Minorities, Social Outcasts and Foreigners
- Turkey: Continuity and Change
- Modernity and the Transformation of the Middle East I
- Iran: History, Culture, Politics
- Islam in South Asia
- Modernity and the Transformation of the Middle East II
Language
You may select modules to the value of 60 credits from the languages below.
Students are allowed to take any of the NME language courses offered in any given year
- Arabic 300 (PG)
- Arabic 400 (PG)
- Arabic 600 (PG)
- Arabic 500 (PG)
- Arabic 200 (PG)
- Intermediate Arabic/English Translation Project (PG)
- Higher Intermediate Arabic/English/Arabic Translation Project (PG)
- Advanced Arabic/English/Arabic Translation Project (PG)
- Elementary Hebrew (PG)
- Hebrew 2 (PG)
- Hebrew 4 (PG)
- Intensive Turkish Language (PG)
- Ottoman Turkish Language (PG)
- Advanced Translation (Turkish)
- Turkish 3 (PG)
- Persian 3 (PG)
- Persian for Readers of Arabic Script (PG)
- Intensive Persian Language
- Intermediate Persian Language (PG)
- Practical Translation Persian into English
- Practical Translation English into Persian
- Elementary Persian Texts (PG)
- Avestan I
- Pahlavi Language
Law
Available as majors or minors
- Islamic Law (MA/LLM)
- Law and Society in The Middle East and North Africa
- Human Rights and Islamic Law
Literature
Available as majors or minors
- Hebrew Literature from the Arab World (PG)
- Modern Palestinian Literature (PG)
- Social and Political Dimensions of Modern Arabic Literature
- Arabic Poetry and Criticism
- Reading Classical Arabic Historians: Themes and Trends in Islamic Historiography
- Medieval Arabic Thought
- Classical Persian Poetry: Texts and Traditions (PG)
Media
Available as minors only
- Communication, Culture and Politics in the Middle East: Theoretical and Analytical Approaches
- Film and Society in the Middle East
- Mediated Culture in the Middle East: Politics and Communications
- Theoretical Approaches to International Journalisms
- Theoretical and Contemporary Issues in Global Media and Post-National Communication
- Transnational Communities and Diasporic Media: Networking, Connectivity, Identity
Politics
The two 15 credit modules below together constitute the major option for Politics of the Middle East
- Political society in the Middle East
- State and transformation in the Middle East
Available as a minor only
- Comparative politics of the Middle East
- International politics of the Middle East
- The Politics of State Violence: An Interdisciplinary Perspective
Available as majors or minors
- Israel and the Palestinians
- Turkey: Continuity and Change
- State and Society in Central Asia and the Caucasus
- Geopolitics and Security in Central Asia and the Caucasus
- Critical Perspectives on Palestine Studies I: History and Politics
- Critical Perspectives on Palestine Studies II: Culture and Society
Study of Religions
Available as majors or minors
- Zoroastrianism: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives
- Christians and Muslims in Syriac Texts
- Modern Trends in Islam
- Religion, Nationhood and Ethnicity in Judaism
Translation Studies
Available as a minor only
- Practical Translation Arabic into English
- Practical Translation English into Arabic
Important notice
The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session.
Career Opportunities
Employment
A postgraduate degree in Middle Eastern studies from SOAS gives students competency in language skills and intercultural awareness and understanding. Familiarity with the region will have been developed through a combination of the study of language, literature, history, cinema, politics, economics or law. Postgraduate students leave SOAS with the linguistic and cultural expertise needed to continue in the field of research along with a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and management careers in business, public or charity sectors including written and oral communication skills; attention to detail; analytical and problem-solving skills; and the ability to research, amass and order information from a variety of sources.
Graduates in MA Middle Eastern Studies have entered various professions after leaving SOAS. Some have been able to pursue careers directly related to their study area while others have made use of the general intellectual training provided by the advanced study of cultures for involvement in analysing and solving many of the problems contemporary societies now face. Among a variety of professions, career paths may include academia, charity work, community, government, NGOs, media and publishing and UN agencies.
Graduates have gone on to work for a range of organisations including:
- Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage
- Asfari Foundation
- Banque Saudi Fransi
- Ministry of Defence
- WAND - Women Power and PEace
- World Economic Forum
- Guardian and New Statesman
- DFID
- ICRC
- CARE International
- The Risk Advisory Group
- Refugee Legal Aid Program
- BBC
- Kwintessential
- UNESCO
- International Committee of the Red Cross
- Al Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation
- Amnesty International
- Janusian/Risk Advisory Group
- European Parliament
- The British Institute of Persian Studies
- Dubai Women's Establishment
Types of roles that graduates have gone on to do include:
- Assistant Director of Middle East Studies
- Chief Curator of Collections and Exhibitions
- Chief Economist
- Chief Editor
- Civil Servant
- Community Manager, Middle East
- Director of Public Affairs
- Humanitarian Worker
- Intelligence Analyst
- Legal Counsel
- News Presenter
- Political Advisor to the Secretary-General
- Political Risk Consultant
- Professor of Islamic Studies
- Programme Manager, International Trade
- Research & Campaigns Assistant, East Africa Team
- Senior Consultant
- Strategist
- Teacher
- Vice President for University Advancement
- Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator
English Language Requirements
Certify your English proficiency with the Duolingo English Test! The DET is a convenient, fast, and affordable online English test accepted by over 4,000 universities (like this one) around the world.