Program Overview

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MPhil in Modern Middle Eastern Studies

The MPhil in Modern Middle Eastern Studies is a two-year taught course offering intensive Middle Eastern language training, research methods, and thematic study of the region across social sciences and humanities.

About the Course

The course accepts students who are complete beginners in a Middle Eastern language (Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, or Turkish). It also accommodates students in Turkish and Arabic at an advanced level, as well as Arabic at an intermediate level. If a student already has research-level proficiency in one of these languages, they will be required to take a different language.

Course Structure

• Intensive language training takes place in classes and language laboratories through all six terms of the course.
• In the first term, students attend the weekly MPhil Qualitative Research Methods for Modern Middle Eastern Studies lecture and seminar.
• In the second, third, and fourth terms, students attend three tutorial options.
• In the third term, students begin their thesis preparations, meeting with staff members to identify a thesis supervisor.
• During the long vacation, students are urged to pursue intensive language training in an appropriate course in the region.
• In the second year, students continue language training, have tutorials for their third option, and work on their thesis.

Attendance

The course is full-time and requires attendance in Oxford. Full-time students are subject to the University's Residence requirements.

Resources to Support Study

As a graduate student, access is provided to the University's wide range of resources, including libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources, and IT services. The Bodleian Libraries, the largest library system in the UK, holds more than 13 million printed items and provides access to e-journals and special collections.

Supervision

The allocation of University supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. It is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff.

Assessment

Students are evaluated in five areas: a language examination, three written examinations on course options taught through tutorials and lectures, and a thesis.

Course Components

Compulsory Study

• Intensive language training takes place through all six terms of the course.
• In the first term, students attend the MPhil Qualitative Research Methods for Modern Middle Eastern Studies lecture and seminar.
• In the second term, students attend a series of tutorials for one of three options.
• In the third term, students have tutorials for the second of their three options and begin their thesis preparations.

Options

Tutorial options are subject to availability each year and selected in consultation with the supervisor. Tutorials typically involve weekly meetings and between four and six formative essays.

Entry Requirements

Proven and Potential Academic Excellence

Applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honors in any social science or humanities subject.

Degree-Level Qualifications

• A first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honors in any social science or humanities subject.
• For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum overall GPA required is 3.5 out of 4.0.

English Language Proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's higher level. If the first language is not English, evidence that meets this requirement must be provided.

Funding

The University expects to offer over 1,100 full or partial graduate scholarships across a wide range of graduate courses. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential.

Costs

Annual Course Fees

The fees for this course are charged on an annual basis. For the academic year, the annual course fees are:

• Home: Ł23,870
• Overseas: Ł43,730

Additional Costs

Students will normally be expected to spend the summer after their first year attending an intensive language course in the Middle East, with estimated costs between Ł1,400 and Ł3,000.

Living Costs

The range of likely living costs for a single, full-time student is between Ł1,405 and Ł2,105 for each month spent in Oxford.

College Preference

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. The following colleges accept students on the MPhil in Modern Middle Eastern Studies:

• Balliol College
• Blackfriars
• Campion Hall
• Harris Manchester College
• Linacre College
• Magdalen College
• Mansfield College
• Pembroke College
• Regent's Park College
• St Anne's College
• St Antony's College
• St Cross College
• St Edmund Hall
• St Peter's College
• Wadham College
• Wolfson College
• Wycliffe Hall

How to Apply

Before applying, it is recommended to read the guide to getting started and the Application Guide. The application form will include questions that collect information usually included in a CV/résumé.

Referees

Three referees are required, with academic references preferred. Referees will support intellectual ability, academic achievement, motivation, and fitness for the chosen course of study.

Official Transcript(s)

Transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in university-level qualifications to date.

Statement of Purpose

A statement of purpose, maximum 1,500 words, explaining motivation for applying, relevant experience and education, and specific areas of interest.

Written Work

Two essays, maximum 2,000 words each, are required. Academic essays or other writing samples from the most recent qualification, written in English, are preferred.

After You've Submitted Your Application

The application will be assessed against the entry requirements. Whether or not funding has been secured will be taken into consideration during the assessment.