Once studied for the light it could shed on the world of the Old Testament, the ancient Near East has now emerged from the sidelines as the fountainhead of modern civilisation. It was in the ancient Near East more than 5000 years ago that people first learned to live in cities, invented writing and developed the first high civilisations.
Though the origins of humanity's spiritual and intellectual adventure were once sought in the Bible and in Greece, the fascinating discoveries of Near Eastern archaeologists over the last 150 years have revealed the crucial roles played in forming our common heritage by the peoples of the Ancient Near East, especially the Sumerians, the Babylonians and the Hittites.
The three-year degree in Ancient Near Eastern Studies has been formulated to take advantage of the unique opportunities offered by London, the home of the largest group of specialists in the various branches of Ancient Near Eastern Studies in Europe. Not only do many different academic departments of the University of London employ teachers in these fields, but Bloomsbury also houses the British Museum, with its collections of Near Eastern antiquities unrivalled in the world.
The Ancient Near Eastern Studies degree is taught jointly with University College London (UCL). It provides a multi-disciplinary introduction to the ancient Near East, its languages, history, cultures and archaeology, while also offering final-year students the opportunity of specializing in their field of interest.
Programme Code: Q400BA/ANESt
Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings
Mode of Attendance: Full-time
BTEC: DDM
Access to HE: Minimum of 30 Level 3 Credits at Distinction
Scottish Highers: AAABB
Scottish Advanced Highers: AAB
Irish LC: 340 points from 5 Higher level subjects at grade C1 or above
Advanced Placement: 4 4 5 (Two semesters - UCAS Group A) plus US HSGD with GPA 3.0
Euro Bacc: 80%
French Bacc: 14/20
German Abitur: 2.0
Italy DES: 80/100
Austria Mat: 2.0
Polish Mat: Overall 75% including 3 extended level subjects
Professor of Babylonian, Andrew George, gives a brief summary of what students can expect to study on the BA Ancient Near Eastern Studies.
Learning Akkadian, the language of the Babylonians, finding out all about ancient Mesopotamia, and adding more ancient languages if you want.
People who are good at languages and want to know more about the long-lost civilizations of the ancient Near East
One of the best libraries for the subject in the country, and the British Museum's next door.
It's one of very few British universities where you can learn long-dead languages like Akkadian, Sumerian and Hittite.
Irving Finkel's The Ark Before Noah (Hodder, 2014).
The best and luckiest train to be Assyriologists. Others get jobs which require first-rate analytical and language skills.
Degree programmes at SOAS - including this one - can include language courses in more than forty African and Asian languages. It is SOAS students’ command of an African or Asian language which sets SOAS apart from other universities.
At SOAS in the first year the student begins the study of the major language of the ancient Near East, Akkadian (Babylonian and Assyrian) in the cuneiform script, and takes a module in the literatures of the Near East. Meanwhile, at UCL the student commences the study of the history of ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt (History Department), and takes an introductory module in Near Eastern archaeology (Institute of Archaeology).
In the second year further Akkadian is taken at SOAS, and it is possible at this stage to begin a second language (normally Hittite), as well. At UCL the student continues the history of the ancient Near East and studies the archaeology of the Near East in the historical periods.
During the third year follow-up modules in Akkadian and archaeology or history are taken and a study project written on an ancient Near Eastern subject. To complete the final year a wide range of options will normally be available to permit specialisation in either language or history or archaeology, or a combination of two of these. The student whose primary interest is in language may study Sumerian, Hieroglyphic Egyptian, biblical Hebrew, North-West Semitic epigraphy, Aramaic or Ugaritic, subject to availability. Non-language options include further modules in ancient history, Egyptology and the archaeology of the ancient Near East.
Must be passed to proceed to the following year
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introductory Akkadian Grammar | 155900426 | 15 | Full Year |
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Literatures of the Islamic Near and Middle East | 155900991 | 15 | Term 2 |
It is possible to begin a second language at this stage(usually Sumerian or Hittite)
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akkadian Texts 1 | 155900937 | 30 | Full Year |
Choose from the List of Modules below to the value of 30 credits
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent Study Project In Ancient Near Eastern Studies | 155900990 | 30 credits |
Choose a Akkadian Module from the List of Language and Literature below to the value of 30 credits
Choose one Archaeology or History module from the list of options under the Teaching & Learning tab
Choose from the List of Modules below to the value of 30 credits
Language modules are also available at UCL, please see the Teaching & Learning tab for more details.
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introductory Akkadian Grammar | 155900426 | 15 | Full Year |
| Akkadian Texts 1 | 155900937 | 30 | Full Year |
| Akkadian Texts 2 | 155900938 | 30 | Full Year |
| Akkadian Texts III | 155900939 | 30 credits | |
| Introductory Sumerian | 155900103 | 30 | Full Year |
| Introductory Hittite | 155900109 | 30 credits | |
| Hittite Texts I | 155901288 | 30 credits |
Modules available from UCL, please see the Teaching & Learning tab for more details.
Modules avaliable from UCL, please see the Teaching & Learning tab for more details.
The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. If you are a current student you can find structure information on the previous year link at the top of the page or through your Department. Please read the important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.
2019
Language and literature
History and culture
Archaeology
As a student specialising in the Ancient Near Eastern, you will gain 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 and culture (which can include literature, film, music, art and religion) of various parts of the Middle East.
Graduates leave SOAS not only with linguistic and cultural expertise, but also with a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and management careers in both business and the public sector. These include 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.
For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please visit the Careers Service website.
If you still have questions about this programme or studying at SOAS get in touch.
Undergraduate applications should be made through UCAS.