MA in Middle Eastern Studies University of Groningen

Wars in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, revolts in Egypt, Lebanon, and Tunisia, power struggles in Turkey, Saudi-Arabia, and Israel – conflicts in the Middle East are daily news.

Do you want to become a specialized expert on the region and its conflicts and meet the huge societal demand for knowledge and insights in the Middle East? Then join our Master’s program Middle Eastern Studies in Groningen.

The one-year Master’s program in Groningen focuses on contemporary developments in the Middle East, with particular emphasis on the theme of conflicts. The program is interdisciplinary and research-driven, using insights from fields such as International Relations, Religious Studies, and Anthropology to help you to understand this highly dynamic and fascinating region.

If you have a Bachelor’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies, the Master’s program enables you to specialize in the theme of conflicts and to increase your familiarity with important theoretical and methodological approaches to the region. If you have a Bachelor’s degree in another (related) discipline, the Master’s program facilitates you to familiarize yourself with the Middle East and apply your expertise to this region, which is of huge importance in today’s world.

The program offers core modules on contemporary developments in the Middle East, conflicts in the region, the role of international organizations, and the theme of religion and politics. We discuss cases such as Syria, Israel-Palestine, and Iran. We also give you ample space to pursue your own interests and develop your own expertise, for example through papers, tutorials, and internships, for example, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, embassies or think tanks, media agencies, and societal organizations working on issues such as migration, refugees, terrorism and security.

Why study this program in Groningen?

• Focus on contemporary developments in the Middle East; emphasis on the theme of conflicts
• Highly qualified staff and research-driven education
• Ample space to pursue own interests and develop own expertise
• Internship integrated into the program
• Small-scale program, strongly committed staff, dedicated students

Research

Teaching in the Master's program is research-driven. The staff members are highly qualified and have diverse disciplinary backgrounds. Their expertise is directly related to the profile of the Master's program, focusing on, for example, jihadism in Syria and political Islam in Egypt.

The one-year Master's program offers four core modules in the first semester; all focusing on different aspects of the contemporary Middle East and conflicts in the region. The second semester enables you to further develop your skills and expertise through an internship or a tutorial and a Master's thesis.

Courses

• Contemporary Developments in the Middle East (5 EC)
• Conflicts in the Middle East (10 EC)
• International Organizations and the Middle East (10 EC)
• Religion and Politics in the Middle East: text analysis (5 EC)
• Master Thesis (20 EC)
• Tutorial / internship / study abroad (10 EC, optional)

Program options

• Master's Honours Programme (honors program)
• Master's placement (specialization)

Study abroad

• Study abroad is optional
• Maximum of 10 EC

To be recommended for placement.

Job prospects

There is a huge demand for expertise in the Middle East, for example in relation to foreign policy, refugees, and terrorism, and security. Our alumni work both in the Middle East and Europe. Relatively many students find a job in politics and diplomacy, for example at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or an embassy or consulate. Quite a number of alumni have acquired a job in local authorities or NGOs in the development and refugee sector.

Others work in media, the security and counter-terrorism field, or the cultural sector. The huge consequences of conflicts in the Middle East, both in the region itself as well as in the West provide ample opportunities to acquire Middle-East-related jobs and positions.

Job examples

• Policy adviser at the Middle Eastern department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Embassy Employee in Turkey, Jordan, Israel or The Hague
• An employee at an NGO in the Development Sector
• Security analyst at the Police or the NCTV
• COA employee working with asylum seekers
• Middle East reporter for newspaper, radio, or TV