Programme Code: T600
Start of programme: September
Mode of Attendance: Full-time
The BA Middle Eastern Studies is a three-year programme that offers students the opportunity to study the history and culture of the Middle East alongside with acquiring competence in one or more Middle Eastern languages. This degree is ideal for students who desire a broad knowledge of the region with a basic grounding in two or more of its languages. The programme accommodates a wide variety of topics through which to engage with the region's diversity and provides a firm foundation for further language study.
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.
In the first year of the programme, students take a module in a modern Middle Eastern language (Arabic, Turkish, Persian or Hebrew), a module in Arabic or Israeli culture, and the remaining modules in Middle Eastern literature and history.
In the second year, students are encouraged to choose a further language module and take an introductory module in Islam; two modules are chosen from the List of Optional Modules, which include further language modules and modules in art, history, religion, music, politics, economics and law.
In the final year, modules in the Cinematic culture of the Middle East and North Africa is taken, a third language module can be taken and an extended essay can be written on an agreed topic. An Independent study project is also available. The language and extended essay options can, however, be replaced with optional modules. There is a further open option to complete the third year.
Year 1
Core Module
This module must be passed in order to proceed to the following year of study.
Compulsory Module
Choose ONE of the following module
AND
Language Open Options
Choose from the List of Language Modules below to the value of 30 credits
AND
Guided Option
Choose a module from the List of Optional Modules below to the value of 30 credits
Year 2
Core Module
This module must be passed in order to proceed to the following year of study.
Compulsory Module
AND
Guided Options
Choose from the List of Language Modules below to the value of 30 credits
OR
Choose from List of Optional Modules below to the value of 30 credits
AND
Guided Option
Choose from List of Optional Modules below to the value of 30 credits
OR
Open Option
Choose related Language or Non-Language open option modules to the value of 30 credits
Year 3
Compulsory Module
AND
Guided Options
Choose from the List of Language Modules below to the value of 30 credits
OR
Open Option
Choose related Language or Non-Language open option modules to the value of 30 credits
AND
Compulsory Module
Choose from List of Optional Modules below to the value of 30 credits
AND
Open Option
Choose related Language or Non-Language open option modules to the value of 30 credits
List of Language Modules
List of Optional Modules
Before selecting a module, you must first check that it is at the correct level. You must also ensure that any pre-requisites are met.
Additional Optional Courses Only Available in Year 3
Programme Specification
Important notice
Year abroad
There is no year abroad for this programme Teaching & Learning
Contact Hours
All full-time undergraduate programmes consist of 120 credits per year, taught in modules of 30 credits (taught over 20 weeks) or 15 credits (taught over 10 weeks). The programme structure shows which modules are compulsory and which optional.
As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study (see Approaches to teaching and learning at SOAS). It will also include class time, which may include lectures, seminars and other classes. Some subjects, such as learning a language, have more class time than others.
In the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, undergraduate modules take various forms. Modules may be taught through 1 or 2 hours of lectures a week, and some may have an additional 1-2 hours of weekly seminars. Languages classes may be 4-5 hours per week in the first and second year, typically less at higher levels.
More information is on the page for each module.
Tuition Fees
Full details of undergraduate tuition fees can be found on the Registry's Undergraduate Tuition Fees page.
Fees for 2019/20 entrants. The fees below are per academic year. Please note that fees go up each year.
Programme |
Full-Time |
UK/EU Students |
Overseas Students |
BA, BSc, LLB |
£9,250 |
£17,750 |
BA/BSc Language Year Abroad |
£1,385 |
£8,875 |
Scholarships
Application Deadline: 2019-04-30 00:00
Application Deadline: 2019-01-31 00:00
For further details and information on external scholarships visit the Scholarships section
As a student specialising in the Middle East, 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.
Students graduating with this degree have opportunities to work in education, the Middle Eastern media, the BBC, in the press, the Civil Service and non-governmental organisations, and wherever a knowledge of the Middle East is a key skill.
For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please visit the Careers Service website.
A Student's Perspective
My course and the department is fantastic, and the lecturers go the extra mile to help you out
Yumna Islam