MA Middle Eastern Studies
About this course
MA (Hons) in Middle Eastern Studies, an area studies degree exploring the history, politics, societies, cultures and literatures of the Middle East. Students complete a dissertation as part of the programme, and have the option to undertake a year abroad. The first year covers foundational study through Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Islamic history, spanning the period 550 CE to around 1650, and the religion of Islam - an exploration of the religion's branches, key texts, central beliefs and rituals. Students also select from broader subjects including 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, and philosophy, divinity and law. Year 3 builds on these themes with further study in history, politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations, religion, and history of art and cultural studies.
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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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 46%: 6 offers from 13 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
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
- Arabic
- Persian
- Turkish
- Islamic history, spanning the period 550 CE to around 1650
- 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.
- 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
- 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 Middle Eastern 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 Middle Eastern 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 Middle Eastern 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.
What is the offer rate for MA Middle Eastern Studies at University of Edinburgh?
46% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 6 offers from 13 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Middle Eastern 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 Middle Eastern Studies at University of Edinburgh?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.