Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (Modern Middle Eastern Studies)

The Modern Middle Eastern Studies pathway is designed for highly motivated students who would like to develop their knowledge and understanding of the Modern Middle East, together with the research skills necessary to carry out independent primary research work in the Humanities or Social Sciences to a high academic standard. Graduates will be well placed to pursue further research in a PhD programme, to use their skills and knowledge in NGOs, charities, government, education, or in any other field where cultural understanding, linguistic skills and high-level critical thinking, analysis and communication skills are needed.

Learning Outcomes The pathway in Modern Middle Eastern Studies will equip its graduates with the skills and knowledge to research independently and effectively on aspects of Modern Middle Eastern Studies, using the methods of the Humanities and Social Sciences. They will have further developed their skills in reading Arabic, Hebrew or Persian source materials. Graduates will also be able to show a sophisticated understanding of the wider fields of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies and the ability to communicate their knowledge and their research findings effectively.

Continuing All applicants should submit, via the Applicant Portal, a workable and relevant research proposal and demonstrate that they have the required academic knowledge and skills to carry out their project.

Those students who are enrolled in an MPhil by Advanced Studies at the University of Cambridge and wish to continue to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies will be required to obtain at least 67 per cent overall in their MPhil by Advanced Studies degree and satisfy any pre-existing requirements also set by the Degree Committee, i.e. English language requirement.

Admission is at the discretion of the Degree Committee, which judges each applicant on their own merits and in accordance with its own set of rules and regulations.