Please note this programme is not accepting applications for 2019/20.
Students may be interested in applying for the BA Turkish and ... combined degree programmes. Single-honours BA Turkish is a four-year programme of study covering both classical and modern Turkish literature and language. At the completion of their studies students should have attained a high level of fluency in Modern Turkish, including familiarity with earlier forms of Turkish, and a solid command of Turkish literature, including broad knowledge of the historical and cultural background. A specialization in Ottoman language and literature is also available.
Programme Code: T680 BA/T
Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings
Start of programme: September annually
Mode of Attendance: Full-time
Entry requirements
- Subjects Preferred: A good pass in a foreign language at A-level, or equivalent, is preferred.
- Interview Policy: Candidates with "non-standard" qualifications may be invited for interview.
- A Levels:
- AAB - ABB
- A Level language preferred
- IB:
- 35 (6/6/5)
View alternative entry requirements
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
- duration:
- 4 years
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.
The degree is an intensive four-year programme of 120 credits per year. In the first year the student begins the study of the Turkish language and takes a survey module in literature. A module in Turkish culture or one other appropriate module complete the year. The second year is spent at the Boghazici University in Istanbul, where a full programme of study is scheduled. In the third year the student continues to learn the modern Turkish language and usually begins the study of Ottoman Turkish or modern Turkish literature. In the fourth year the student may choose from a wide range of options, as available. These options permit students to steer the syllabus towards their interests.
Year 1 (Students without previous knowledge of Turkish)
Core Module
This module must be passed in order to proceed to the following year of study.
Compulsory Module
OR
A department-wide introductory course with the value of 30 credits
AND
Guided Option
Choose a module from List B1 or B2 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 1 (Students with previous knowledge of Turkish)
Core Module
This module must be passed in order to proceed to the following year of study.
Compulsory Module
OR
A department-wide introductory course with the value of 30 credits
AND
Guided Option
Choose a module from List B1 below to the value of 30 credits
AND
Guided Option
Choose a module from List B1 or B2 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 2
Year Abroad at Boğaziçi University with the value of 120 credits
Year 3
Core Module
This module must be passed in order to proceed to the following year of study.
Module |
Code |
Credits |
Term |
Turkish 3 |
155900548 |
30 |
Full Year |
Compulsory Module
Choose ONE of the following modules
OR
Choose a genre-based department-wide literature module to the value of 30 credits
AND
Guided Option
Choose a module from List B1, B2, C below to the value of 30 credits OR choose one of the two compulsory options above not already selected to the value of 30 credits
AND
Choose a module from List B1, B2, C 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 4
Compulsory Module
AND
Compulsory Module
Choose a module from List A below to the value of 30 credits
AND
Choose a module from List A, B2, B3 or C 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
List of Modules (subject to availability)
Not all options are available every year; students are advised to consult the Turkish tutors before selecting units
List A: Turkish modules
List B1: Introductory modules in Turkish and Middle Eastern-related modules
Department of the Languages and Cultures of Near and Middle East
Department of History
Department of the Study of Religions
Department of the History of Art and Archaeology
Department of Politics and International Studies
List B2: Intermediate modules in Turkish and Middle Eastern-related moduless
Some modules require successful attendance of a relevant introductory module; students are advised to check the relevant module descriptions for prerequisites and consult the relevant module tutor before selecting modules.
Department of the Languages and Cultures of Near and Middle East
Department of History
Department of the Study of Religions
Department of the History of Art and Archaeology
Department of Music
Department of Politics and International Studies
School of Law
Module |
Code |
Credits |
Term |
Islamic Law |
155200037 |
30 |
Full Year |
List B3: Advanced modules in Middle Eastern history, politics and economics
Some modules require successful attendance of a relevant introductory module; students are advised to check the relevant module descriptions for prerequisites and consult the relevant module tutor before selecting modules.
Department of the Languages and Cultures of Near and Middle East
Department of History
Department of Politics and International Studies
Department of Economics
List C: Optional language modules
Department of the Languages and Cultures of Near and Middle East
Module |
Code |
Credits |
Term |
Persian 3 |
155900802 |
30 |
Full Year |
Hebrew 4 |
155900714 |
30 |
Full Year |
Intercollegiate language modules
Please see the Teaching & Learning tab for more details on intercollegiate modules in Greek, Russian, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Serbian and Croatian, Hungarian and Romanian.
Programme Specification
Important notice
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.
Year abroad
Two semesters are spent at Boğaziçi University, Istanbul, Turkey in the third year (http://www.boun.edu.tr/en-US/Index). There students are expected to attend a minimum of four modules each semester and are required to sit the local examinations at Boğaziçi University.
All students need to submit an application to Boğaziçi University by May of the previous year and they are assisted by the BA Convenor in doing so. A detailed Briefing Document is also provided in advance.
It is possible to apply for university accommodation at Boğaziçi University (details provide in the Briefing Document), though most students prefer to make their own arrangements even though Istanbul is no longer a cheap city. Rents and cost of living in Istanbul are almost comparable to London, though still a little cheaper.
The SOAS BA convenor determines progression to the final year on the basis of performance and, if required, following consultation with colleagues at Boğaziçi. Students are expected to pass at least 6 semester-long modules or their equivalent. If they do not, then they need to submit an Independent Project to be agreed with the SOAS BA convenor, normally an essay of approximately 10,000 words in English, by September 1. The topic of the project is decided in consultation with the subject tutors at SOAS.
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.
Intercollegiate Modules
Modern Greek (KCL)
- Modern Greek language I 4AABL001
- Modern Greek language II 5AABL002
- Modern Greek language III 6AABL003
Russian (UCL; http://www.ssees.ucl.ac.uk/russunit.htm)
- Foundation Russian
- Intermediate Russian
Ukrainian (UCL)
- SEEU1001 Ukrainian Language
- SEEU2001 Ukrainian Language 2a - Comprehension (15 credits)
- SEEU2002 Ukrainian Language 2b - Production (15 credits)
- SEEU4001 Ukrainian Language 3a - Comprehension (0.5) SEEU4002 Ukrainian Language 3b - Production (15 credits)
Bulgarian (UCL)
- SEEB1001 Bulgarian Language Level 1
- SEEB2001 Bulgarian Language Level 2a - Comprehension (15 credits)
- SEEB2002 Bulgarian Language Level 2b - Production (15 credits)
- SEEB4001 Bulgarian Language Level 3a - Comprehension (15 credits)
- SEEB4002 Bulgarian Language Level 3b - Production (15 credits)
Serbian/Croatian (UCL)
- SEEY1001 Serbian and Croatian Language Level 1
- SEEY2001 Serbian and Croatian Language Level 2a - Comprehension (15 credits)
- SEEY2002 Serbian and Croatian Language Level 2b - Production (15 credits)
- SEEY4001 Serbian and Croatian Language Level 3a - Comprehension (15 credits)
- SEEY4002 Serbian and Croatian Language Level 3b - Production (15 credits)
Hungarian (UCL)
- SEEH1001 Hungarian Language Level 1
- SEEH2001 Hungarian Language Level 2a - Comprehension (15 credits)
- SEEH2002 Hungarian Language Level 2b - Production (15 credits)
- SEEH4001 Hungarian Language Level 3a - Comprehension (15 credits)
- SEEH4002 Hungarian Language Level 3b - Production (15 credits)
Romanian (UCL)
- SEER1001 Romanian Language Level 1
- SEER2001 Romanian Language Level 2a - Comprehension (15 credits)
- SEER2002 Romanian Language Level 2b - Production (15 credits)
- SEER4001 Romanian Language Level 3a - Comprehension (15 credits)
- SEER4002 Romanian Language Level 3b - Production (15 credits)
As a graduate who specialised in Turkish, you will have gained competency in language skills and intercultural awareness and understanding. Familiarity with the region will have been developed through a study of language in combination with literature, development studies, economics, geography, history, history of art and archaeology, law, linguistics, music, politics, social anthropology or religion.
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, both in business and in 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. Graduates have found employment in the Foreign Office, in education, the media with the BBC or the Turkish Radio station, in the press, in multinational business companies. Others have chosen non-governmental organisations such as Amnesty International.
For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please visit the Careers Service website.
A Student's Perspective
Here you have the possibility not only to read about other cultures, you can experience them. Besides that, SOAS offers such a wide choice of exciting courses with interesting teachers, you will find nowhere else in the world and all that in the heart of London.
Sonja Bartsch, Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg