MA Islamic Studies
About this course
MA (Hons) in Islamic Studies, an undergraduate degree exploring the history, thought, culture, and religious traditions of the Islamic world and the Middle East. Students have the option to undertake a year abroad during their studies. The first year covers foundational subjects including Islamic History and Modern Middle Eastern History, alongside a selection of external disciplinary courses. The second year focuses on central beliefs, texts, and cultures through modules such as the religion of Islam and Islamic and Middle Eastern Cultures, while introducing language options including Arabic, Persian, and Turkish. The third year offers further study across disciplines such as history, politics, social policy, social anthropology, international relations, and religion.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: ABB (required: no specific A level subjects required) IB: 34 points with 655 at HL
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What students say
Based on about 24 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 79%
- Assessment and feedback: 69%
- Academic support: 83%
- Organisation and management: 74%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 74%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 225 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 6%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 2%
- London: 38%
- South East: 9%
- South West: 3%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 28%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 75%
- Baccalaureate: 10%
- Access course: 10%
Modules
- Islamic History - a survey of the formation of the Islamic world, from its pre-Islamic origins to the foundation of the first Muslim world empire
- Modern Middle Eastern History - an introduction to the Middle East's political, economic, social and cultural history from 1950 until the present day
- European languages and cultures
- Asian studies
- business, economics and informatics
- politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations
- art and architectural history
- history, classics and archaeology
- Celtic and Scottish ethnology
- linguistics and language sciences
- philosophy, divinity and law
- the religion of Islam - an exploration of the religion's branches, key texts, central beliefs and rituals
- Islamic and Middle Eastern Cultures - an introduction to the literary, aesthetic and intellectual culture of the Middle East, from the eve of Islam to the modern period
- continue to study Arabic
- learn Persian or Turkish
- take a further course in Islamic History
- take a further course in Modern Middle Eastern History
- history
- politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations
- religion
- history of art and cultural studies
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Islamic Studies at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 3 years, £36,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £28,000 and £48,500. The £36,500 median after five years is £6,000 more than the UK median for African and modern Middle Eastern studies.
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Islamic Studies at University of Edinburgh?
91% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Islamic Studies at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 156 UCAS points.
Does MA Islamic Studies at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Islamic Studies at University of Edinburgh?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.