Near and Middle East Section & School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics

MA Middle Eastern Studies and Intensive Languages

Apply now

Book an Open Day

Ask a question

You are viewing: Key information

Key information

Duration

Two years (full-time), four years (part-time, daytime only)

Start of programme

September

Attendance mode

Full-time or part-time

Location

Russell Square, College Buildings

Fees

Home student fees: £12,220 per year
Overseas student fees: £24,350 per year

Please note that fees go up each year.
See postgraduate fees for further details.

Entry requirements

We will consider all applications with 2:2 (or international equivalent) or higher. In addition to degree classification we take into account other elements of the application such as supporting statement. References are optional, but can help build a stronger application if you fall below the 2:2 requirement or have non-traditional qualifications.

Afghanistan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: 80% or 3.3/4.0

Argentina: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Titulo / Grado de Licenciado

Equivalent to 2:ii: 7/10

Information for prospective students from Argentina

Australia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2:2 or Credit or 65%

Information for prospective students from Australia

Austria: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2.5/5.0 and overall Pass (Bestanden)

Bahrain: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: 75% or GPA 3.0/4.0

Information for prospective students from Bahrain

Bangladesh: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor’s from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology or Master's degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: 60% or GPA 3.0/4.0

Information for prospective students from Bangladesh

Belgium: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licentiaat or Licencié

Equivalent to 2:ii: 13/20 or 65%

Information for prospective students from Belgium

Botswana: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree (5-year) or Master's from University of Botswana

Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 3.5/5.0 or 65% or B- or Good

Brazil: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Título de Bacharel / Título de Licenciado (4-year)

Equivalent to 2:ii: 7/10 or 70%

Information for prospective students from Brazil

Brunei: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: Lower Second Class Honours with 50% overall

Information for prospective students from Brunei

Bulgaria: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: 4.3/6

Information for prospective students from Bulgaria

Cameroon: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Diplôme d'Ingénieur/ Diplôme d'Études Supérieures de Commerce (5-year)

Equivalent to 2:ii: 12-13 assez bien (fair); 70-74; or B+

Canada: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 3.0/4.0 or 74-77% or overall B

Information for prospective students from Canada

China Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree (4-year)

Equivalent to 2:ii:
73% or 2.6/4.0 (C9 unis)
75% or 2.8/4.0 (Double First unis)
80% or 3.25/4.0 (all other unis)

Information for prospective students from China

Colombia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licenciado / Titulo (4-year)

Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.5/5.0

Information for prospective students from Colombia

Croatia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Baccalaureus / Baccalaurea (Bachelor degree)

Equivalent to 2:ii: Overall score 3/5

Cyprus: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: 6.5/10

Czech Republic: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree (180 ECTS)

Equivalent to 2:ii: 1.75/4.0 or High C 'dobre’ (good)

Information for prospective students from the Czech Republic

Denmark: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: 7/12 or 8/13 or grade C

Information for prospective students from the Denmark

Egypt: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: 70% or 3.0/4.0

Information for prospective students from Egypt

Estonia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bakalaurusekraad / University Specialist's Diploma / Professional Higher Education Diploma

Equivalent to 2:ii: 4.0/5.0

Finland: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor / Kandidaatti / Kandidat (180 ECTS credits)

Equivalent to 2:ii: 3/5 or 2/3

France: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licence or Diplôme from a grande école

Equivalent to 2:ii: 11.5 out 20

Information for prospective students from France

Gambia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree (2-year)

Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 3.0/4.3 or 64% or B

Germany: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree (180 ECTS)

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2.6/5

Information for prospective students from Germany

Ghana: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2:2 (Second Class Lower Division) or GPA 3.25/5.0 or 60%

Information for prospective students from Ghana

Greece: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: 6.50/10

Information for prospective students from Greece

Hong Kong: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: Upper second class or GPA 2.7/4.0 or 75% or B Minus

Information for prospective students from Hong Kong

Hungary: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor (Alapfokozat) or Diploma (Egyetemi Oklevél)

Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.5/5.0

Iceland: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree (Baccalaureus or Bakkalarprof)

Equivalent to 2:ii: 7.0 out of 10

India: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: CGPA: 55-60% or 5.5/10 - 6.0/10

Information for prospective students from India

Iraq: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree (Licence/Karshani)

Equivalent to 2:ii: 0.7

Israel: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: 70% or C+

Information for prospective students from Israel

Italy: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Laurea (180 ECTS)

Equivalent to 2:ii: 100/110

Information for prospective students from Italy

Japan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: 70% or C+ or 3.0

Information for prospective students from Japan

Jordan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.0/4.0 or 70%

Information for prospective students from Jordan

Kazakhstan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelors (Bakalavr Diplomi) or Specialist Diploma

Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 3.0/4.0 or GPA 4.0/5.0 or B

Information for prospective students from Kazakhstan

Kenya: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2:2 or 60%

Information for prospective students from Kenya

Kuwait: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.0/

Information for prospective students from Kuwait

Latvia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bakalaura Diploms (Bachelor's) or Profesionālā Bakalaura Diploms

Equivalent to 2:ii: 7/10

Lebanon: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree / Licence

Equivalent to 2:ii: 75% or Grade B-/C+ or GPA 2.8/4.0 or 14/20

Information for prospective students from Lebanon

Liberia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: 75% or 2.8/4.0

Libya: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor Degree from selected institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: 75% or GPA 3.0/4.0

Lithuania: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelors / Bakalauro (180 ECTS)

Equivalent to 2:ii: 7.5/10

Information for prospective students from Lithuania

Malawi: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: 70% or GPA 3.0/4.0

Malaysia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.0/4.0 or B (Class 2 Division 2)

Information for prospective students from Malaysia

Malta: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: Lower Second Class with 65% or Category IIB

Mexico: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Titulo de Licenciado

Equivalent to 2:ii: 8/10 or 80%

Information for prospective students from Mexico

Morocco: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licence / Licence d'Etudes Fondamentales / Licence Professionnelle

Equivalent to 2:ii: 13/20

Information for prospective students from Morocco

Nepal: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree / Bachelor degree (4-year)

Equivalent to 2:ii: 70%

Information for prospective students from Nepal

Netherlands: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: 6.5/10 or GPA 3.0

Information for prospective students from the Netherlands

New Zealand: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: Majority of credited modules B- or above

Nigeria: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: Lower Second Class or 55% or GPA 3.0/5.0 or 2.5/4.0 or 4.0/7.0

Information for prospective students from Nigeria

Norway: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelors / Bachelorgrad (180 ECTS) or Candidatus /a magisterii

Equivalent to 2:ii: Grade C (with at least 80 ECTS) at grade B or 3.2

Information for prospective students from Norway

Oman: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.0/4.0

Information for prospective students from Oman

Pakistan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor (4-year) / Master's from HEC recognised institution

Equivalent to 2:ii: CGPA 2.7 or 65%

Information for prospective students from Pakistan

Philippines: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master’s from recognised institution or Centre of Excellence / Bachelor from prestigious institution or Centre of Excellence

Equivalent to 2:ii:
Prestigous Universities: GPA 3.3/4.0 or 1.75/5.0 or Grade B or 83%
Recognised Universities: GPA 3.5/4.0 or 2.0/5.0 or Grade B or 87%

Poland: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licencjat or Inżynier (3-year)

Equivalent to 2:ii: 4.25/5

Information for prospective students from Poland

Portugal: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licenciado (180 ECTS)

Equivalent to 2:ii: 15/20

Qatar: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 or 70% or 7/10

Information for prospective students from Qatar

Romania: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Diplomă de Licenţă / Diplomă de Inginer / Diplomă de Urbanist Diplomat

Equivalent to 2:ii: 8/10

Information for prospective students from Romania

Russia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Diplom Bakalavra or Specialist Diploma

Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.8/5.0

Information for prospective students from Russia

Rwanda: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor (4-year)

Equivalent to 2:ii: Lower Second Class Honours or 65-69% or 14/20

Saudi Arabia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 or overall 70%

Information for prospective students from Saudi Arabia

Singapore: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: CAP 3.5/5.0 or 3.0/4.0

Information for prospective students from Singapore

Slovakia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bakalár / Bachelor

Equivalent to 2:ii: 70% or 2.0 overall or C

South Africa: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor (4-year)

Equivalent to 2:ii: 60%

Information for prospective students from South Africa

South Korea: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 2.7/4.0 or 3.0/4.3 or 3.3/4.5

Information for prospective students from South Korea

Spain: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Título de Grado / Título de Licenciado / Título de Ingeniero / Titulo de Arquitecto

Equivalent to 2:ii: 6.5/10 or GPA 1.75/4.0

Information for prospective students from Spain

Sri Lanka: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor Special Degree or Professional Degree (4-year)

Equivalent to 2:ii: 55% or 2:2 or GPA 3.0/4.0

Information for prospective students from Sri Lanka

Sudan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor (5-year)

Equivalent to 2:ii: 65%+ or B

Sweden: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree / Kandidatexamen / Yrkesexamen

Equivalent to 2:ii: B (90 credits) and C (90 credits) or Very Good (70 credits) and Good (110 Credits) or C (180 credits)

Information for prospective students from Sweden

Switzerland: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Diplom / Diplôme / Lizentiat / Staatsdiplom / Diplôme d’Etat

Equivalent to 2:ii: Overall 4.5/6 or 7/10 or 2.5/5

Information for prospective students from Switzerland

Syria: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licence / al-ijaza-fi / Bachelor

Equivalent to 2:ii: 70%+ or 'Good'

Taiwan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: 68-70% or GPA 2.8/4.0-3.0/4.0

Information for prospective students from Taiwan

Thailand: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 3.0/4.0

Information for prospective students from Thailand

Tunisia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Diplôme National d'Ingénieur / Diplôme National d'Architecture / Licence / Maîtrise

Equivalent to 2:ii: 12 out of 20

Turkey: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Lisans Diplomasi

Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 2.6/4 from the top universities and 3.0/4 from all others

Information for prospective students from Turkey

Uganda: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2:2 (Lower Second) or B or GPA 3.0/5.0

Information for prospective students from Uganda

Ukraine: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree or Specialist Diploma

Equivalent to 2:ii: 8/12 or 3.8/5

United Arab Emirates: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 3.0/4.0 or 3.2/5.0

Information for prospective students from the United Arab Emirates

United States of America: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 3.0/4.0

Information for prospective students from the USA

Vietnam: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree (4-year)

Equivalent to 2:ii: Overall score of 6.5/10

Information for prospective students from Vietnam

Yemen: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: Overall 'Good' (71-77%) or Aden University 80-83% (or 3.0/4.0)

Zambia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: 65% or B or Credit or GPA 1.7/2.5 or 3.3/5.0

Zimbabwe: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree

Equivalent to 2:ii: 2:2 or 65%

Information for prospective students from Zimbabwe

See international entry requirements and English language requirements

Course overview

The MA in Middle Eastern Studies provides exceptional opportunities for studying this diverse and fascinating area at the postgraduate level through a variety of disciplinary approaches.

The main emphasis of the programme is on the modern period through the modules in history, geography, politics, economics and anthropology. Some exposure is provided, however, to the pre-modern culture and society of the area through modules in religious studies, Islamic art and archaeology, and history.

The MA Middle Eastern Studies with Intensive language programme has many language modules for students to pick and choose from, inlcuding introduction, intermediate, advance Arabic, Hebrew, Persian and Turkish. Students will also spend the summer taking an Advanced Study Abroad module, worth 45 credits, while also having a choice of studying 2-years full-time or 4-years part-time.

Why study Middle Eastern Studies and Intensive Language at SOAS

SOAS is ranked 1st in London and 9th in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2023 for Middle Eastern and African Studies.
We are ranked 6th in the UK for employability (QS World University Rankings 2023).
We are ranked top 10 in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2023 for African and Middle Eastern Studies
Modern Languages and Linguistics at SOAS has been ranked 10th in the UK in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.
We are ranked 4th for research environment - with 100% of our research ranked as 'internationally excellent' and 85% as 'world-leading' - and 8th for research outputs in the REF 2021.
SOAS is a specialist in the studies of Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and South East Asia
Access comprehensive cross-regional expertise and gain an understanding of the interconnectedness of these regions in an increasingly globalised world.
You will be eligible to apply for internships, available to students starting 2023/24.

Degree combinations

May be combined with

MA Middle Eastern Studies can be combined with the following Intensive Language pathways:

Structure

Students must take 315 credits in total , comprised of 255 taught credits (45 of which are taught abroad as part of a Summer School) and a 60-credit dissertation.

In their first year, students on the two-year Intensive Language programmes take 60 credits of intensive language instruction and 60 credits in the discipline. During the summer, they participate in a Summer School abroad. In the second year, they take another 30 language credits as well as 60 credits in the discipline; they also complete their dissertation in the discipline.

On the MA Middle Eastern Studies and Intensive Language:

a maximum of 60 credits can be taken in any one subject area
a minimum of three subject areas must be covered.

The programme structure shows which modules are compulsory and which optional.

Important notice

The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The modules are indicative options of the content students can expect and are/have been previously taught as part of these programmes. However, this information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.

Year 1

Two- years full-time

Select 30 credits from the list of minors below plus 60 credits of language modules and the two compulsory modules below:

Module	Credits
Remapping Area Studies in Asia, Africa and the Middle East	15
The Middle East in Ten Weeks	15

Summer abroad

Students participate in a Summer School abroad for their selected language equivalent to 45 credits at one of our partner institutions.

Year 2 - (for students taking a 30 credit major)

Select 30 credits in the chosen language plus 30 credits from the major list or open options and the dissertation.

Module	Credits
Dissertation in Near and Middle Eastern Studies	60

Year 2 - (for students taking a 15 credit major)

Select 30 credits on the chosen language, 15 credits from the major list, 15 credits from the minor list plus another 30 credits from the lists below or an open option and the dissertation

Module	Credits
Dissertation in Near and Middle Eastern Studies	60

Year 1 (four years part-time)

Select 60 credits in the chosen language, students then participate in the summer abroad module (45 credits) at one of our partner institutions.

Year 2

Select 60 credits in the chosen language and take the 2 compulsory modules below:

Module	Credits
Remapping Area Studies in Asia, Africa and the Middle East	15
The Middle East in Ten Weeks	15

Year 3

Discipline component

Select 30 credits from the minor list plus another 30 credits from the lists or open options.

Year 4 - (for students taking a 30 credit major)

Discipline component

Select 30 credits fom the list of majors and the dissertation.

Module	Credits
Dissertation in Near and Middle Eastern Studies	60

Year 4 - (for students taking a 15 credit major)

Discipline component

Select 15 credits from the major list plus 15 credits from the minor list and the dissertation

Module	Credits
Dissertation in Near and Middle Eastern Studies	60

Guided options - major and minor list

Anthropology and Sociology

Available as minors only

Module	Credits
750C Ethnographic Locations: Near and Middle East	15

Art and Archaeology

Available as majors or minors

Module	Credits
Arab Painting	15
Art and Architecture of the Seljuks and Ottomans (12th -15th centuries)	15
China and the Silk Road: Art and Archaeology	15
Islam and the West: Artistic and Cultural Contacts	15
Islamic Visual Culture	15

Development Studies

Available as a major or minor

Module	Credits
Problems of Development in the Middle East and North Africa	15

Available as minors only

Module	Credits
Water and Development: Commodification, Ecology and Globalisation (Development Studies)	15
Water Justice: Rights, Access and Movements (Development Studies)	15

Economics

Available as a major or minor

Module	Credits
Political Economy of Development and Change in the Middle East	15

Available as a minor only

Gender

Available as minors only

Module	Credits
Gender, Protest, and Revolution in the Middle East	15
Queering Migrations and Diasporas	15
Queer Politics in Asia, Africa and the Middle East	15

History

Available as majors or minors

Module	Credits
Historical Perspectives on Gender in Asia, Africa and the Middle East	15

Available as a minor only

Module	Credits
The Afghanistan Wars, 1979 to the Present	15

Languages (Languages, Cultures and Linguistics)

Languages are offered as minors only, students may take any of the language modules offered in any given year (select 60 credits).

Module	Credits
Arabic 1 (PG)	30
Arabic 2 (PG)	30
Arabic 1 A (PG)	15
Arabic 1 B (PG)	15
Arabic 2 A (PG)	15
Arabic 2 B (PG)	15
Arabic 3 A (PG)	15
Arabic 3 B (PG)	15
Arabic 4 B (PG)	15
Arabic 4 A (PG)	15
Arabic 5 A (PG)	15
Arabic 5 B (PG)	15
Arabic 6 A (PG)	15
Arabic 6 B (PG)	15
Hebrew 1 A (PG)	15
Hebrew 1 B (PG)	15
Persian 1 A (PG)	15
Persian 1 B (PG)	15
Persian 2 A (PG)	15
Persian 2 B (PG)	15
Turkish 1 A (PG)	15
Turkish 1B (PG)	15
Turkish 2 A (PG)	15
Turkish 2 B (PG)	15
Ottoman Turkish Language (PG)	30
Practical Translation: English into Other Languages	15
Practical Translation: Other Languages into English	15
Higher Intermediate Arabic/English/Arabic Translation Project (PG)	30
Advanced Arabic/English/Arabic Translation Project (PG)	30
Intensive Advanced Summer Arabic (PG)	45
Intensive Higher Advanced Summer Arabic (PG)	45
Intensive Intermediate Summer Arabic	45

Law

Available as majors or minors

Module	Credits
Human Rights and Islamic Law	30

Available as minors only

Module	Credits
Gender, Law and Society in The Middle East and North Africa	15
Israel, Palestine, and International Law (15Cr)	15

Media

Available as a major or minor

Module	Credits
Mediated Culture in the Middle East: Politics and Communications	15

Music

Available as majors or minors

Module	Credits
Music, Exile and Diaspora: the Jews of Arab Lands	15

Near and Middle Eastern Studies (Languages, Cultures and Linguistics)

Areas covering Culture, History, Literature, Politics

Available as majors or minors

Module	Credits
Cinemas of of the Middle East and North Africa 1	15
Cinemas of of the Middle East and North Africa 2	15
Iran: History, Culture, Politics	30
Modern Trends in Islam	30
Qur'an and Hadith Studies	30
Critical Perspectives on Palestine Studies I: History and Politics	15
Critical Perspectives on Palestine Studies II: Culture and Society	15
From Palestine to Israel	15
Iran: History, Culture, Politics	30
Jerusalem: City in Conflict (PG)	15
Zionism: Critical Perspectives (PG)	15
Classical Ottoman Texts (PG)	15
Classical Persian Poetry: Texts and Traditions (PG)	15
Modern Palestinian Literature (PG)	15
Reading Classical Arabic Historians: Themes and Trends in Islamic Historiography	15
Reading Classical Arabic Historians: Themes and Trends in Islamic Historiography	15
Social and Political Dimensions of Modern Arabic Literature (PG)	15
Critical Perspectives on Palestine Studies I: History and Politics	15
Critical Perspectives on Palestine Studies II: Culture and Society	15
From Palestine to Israel	15
Iran: History, Culture, Politics	30

Politics

The two 15 credit modules below together constitute the major option for Politics of the Middle East

Module	Credits
State and Transformation in the Middle East	15
Political Society in the Middle East	15

Available as minors only

Module	Credits
International Politics of the Middle East	15
Islamic/Democratic Political Thought	15
Market Politics: Political Economies of a Globalizing Middle East	15
Political violence	15
The Politics of Solidarity in the Middle East	15

Religions

Available as majors or minors

Module	Credits
Religion, Nationhood and Ethnicity in Judaism	15
The Holocaust in Theology, Literature and Art	15
Zoroastrianism: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives	30

Teaching and learning

One-year Masters programmes consist of 180 credits. 120 credits are taught in modules of 30 credits (taught over 20 weeks) or 15 credits (taught over 10 weeks); the dissertation makes up the remaining 60 units.

Contact hours

As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study, including reading and research, preparing coursework and revising for examinations. 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. At SOAS, most postgraduate modules have a one hour lecture and a one hour seminar every week, but this does vary.

There are ten weeks of teaching and a Reading Week in each of Term 1 and 2, and two weeks of revision teaching in Term 3, the rest of which is dedicated to exams. 15-credit modules are taught over ten weeks in either Term 1 or Term 2.

Part-time studies

Part-time students divide their workload of the required modules evenly between the number of years of part-time study, with the dissertation module taken in the last year of study. It is also best practice to take the Major module in the last year of study. However, different arrangements are possible with the approval of the convenor of the Major module.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge

How to assess data and evidence critically from manuscripts and digital sources, solve problems of conflicting sources and conflicting interpretations, locate materials, use research-sources (particularly research-library catalogues) and other relevant traditional sources.
Subject-specific skills are an amalgam of the skills described for each of the three options chosen by candidates from the cross-department/faculty choices available in the relevant course-descriptors.

Intellectual (thinking) skills

Students will learn to become precise and cautious in their assessment of evidence and should also come to understand through practice what documents can and cannot tell us.
Students will learn to question interpretations, however authoritative, and reassess evidence for themselves.
Communicate effectively in writing.

Subject-based practical skills

Language-students will learn the chosen language at the appropriate level.
Present seminar-papers.
Listen and discuss ideas introduced during seminars.
Practise research-techniques in a variety of specialised research-libraries and institutes.

Transferrable skills

Writing good essays and dissertations.
Structure and communicate ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
Study a variety of written and digital materials in libraries and research-institutes of a kind they will not have used as undergraduates.
Present (non-assessed) material orally.

Linguistic skills (two-year Intensive Language pathways)

To acquire/develop skills in a language spoken in the Near and Middle East to Effective Operational Proficiency level
To demonstrate awareness of the conceptual and communicative underpinnings of that language and through this interlinguistic and intercultural understanding.
Communicate in written and spoken medium in a relevant language.
Engage with people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds, understand the role of different frames of reference.

SOAS Library

SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.

Scholarships

Title	Deadline date
Felix Scholarships	29 January 2023
International Postgraduate Scholarship - Sub-Saharan Africa	31 May 2023
International Postgraduate Scholarship – East Asia	31 May 2023
International Postgraduate Scholarship – Europe	31 May 2023
International Postgraduate Scholarship – India	31 May 2023
International Postgraduate Scholarship – Japan and South Korea	31 May 2023
International Postgraduate Scholarship – Middle East and North Africa	31 May 2023
International Postgraduate Scholarship – North and South America	31 May 2023
International Postgraduate Scholarship – Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka	31 May 2023

Employment

Graduates of the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics leave SOAS not only with linguistic and cultural expertise, but also with skills in written and oral communication, analysis and problem solving.

Recent graduates have been hired by: