BA Middle Eastern Studies
About this course
BA Middle Eastern Studies, an undergraduate degree focused on the history, politics, societies and cultures of the Middle East and North Africa. Core topics include Research Methods. Students must complete a dissertation in their final year. The first year introduces the region through compulsory modules such as The History and Sociopolitics of Palestine/Israel (1882-1967), Cultural Anthropology of the Middle East and North Africa, and History and Politics of the Middle East and North Africa, alongside optional language study in Arabic or Turkish. The second year examines nationalisms and gender politics through compulsory modules like Themes in the Histories of Arab and Jewish Nationalisms and The Politics of Women and Gender in the Middle East and North Africa, with further optional modules available. The final year centres on independent research through the compulsory Dissertation in Modern Languages and Cultures. Optional modules across the course include Introduction to Islam, Introduction to Postcolonial Arab World Literature, Contemporary Debates in Islam, Historical Controversies in the Study of Israel/Palestine, and Understanding the Maghreb: Histories, Cultures, and Societies of North Africa.
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 including one essay based subject
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What students say
Based on about 13 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 89%
- Learning opportunities: 74%
- Assessment and feedback: 74%
- Academic support: 94%
- Organisation and management: 74%
- Learning resources: 68%
- Student voice: 81%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 6 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 50%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 25%
Most common jobs
- Teaching Professionals: 13%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 13%
- Elementary occupations: 12%
- Administrative occupations: 9%
- Sales occupations: 4%
- Find their work meaningful: 79%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 39%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 330 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 36%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 7%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 32%
- South East: 6%
- South West: 5%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- The History and Sociopolitics of Palestine/Israel (1882-1967)
- Cultural Anthropology of the Middle East and North Africa
- History and Politics of the Middle East and North Africa
- Introduction to Islam
- LEAP Arabic 1 (A1)
- LEAP Turkish 1 (A1)
- Themes in the Histories of Arab and Jewish Nationalisms
- The Politics of Women and Gender in the Middle East and North Africa
- Introduction to Postcolonial Arab World Literature
- LEAP Arabic 1 (A1)
- LEAP Turkish 1 (A1)
- Dissertation in Modern Languages and Cultures
- Contemporary Debates in Islam
- Historical Controversies in the Study of Israel/Palestine
- Understanding the Maghreb: Histories, Cultures, and Societies of North Africa
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Middle Eastern Studies at University of Manchester earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £26,000 after 3 years, £32,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,500 and £39,500. The £32,000 median after five years is £1,500 more than the UK median for African and modern Middle Eastern studies.
What do graduates of BA Middle Eastern Studies at University of Manchester do next?
70% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Middle Eastern Studies at University of Manchester?
89% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Middle Eastern Studies at University of Manchester?
The typical offer is ABB at A level. The average entrant had 141 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Middle Eastern Studies at University of Manchester?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.