Program Overview

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MSc in Modern Middle Eastern Studies

The MSc in Modern Middle Eastern Studies is a twelve-month, taught master's course, offered jointly by the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies and the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA). This course provides research training for students already familiar with the Middle East region and its languages.

About the Course

The course offers a common foundation in the methods and disciplines relevant to the study of the Middle East. It provides intensive training in several fields of knowledge based on a combination of lectures, tutorials, and essay writing. This will allow students to develop research and writing skills with training in appropriate theoretical and methodological approaches, through supervision of a dissertation on a subject of their choice. The MSc teaches both qualitative and quantitative methodologies through assessed work.

Course Structure

The course offers two pathways: a language and a non-language track.

• Language Track: Designed for students who already have intermediate to advanced-level ability in Arabic and who wish to further develop these skills through intensive classes. Students on the language track take language classes throughout the three terms of the course, plus two optional papers taken in the second and third terms.
• Non-Language Track: Designed for students who already have full research fluency in at least one of the languages of the region - Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, or Turkish - through being either a literate native speaker, or possessing a degree in the language. On the non-language track, students will take three optional papers, one in each of the three terms.

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, you will have access to the University's wide range of resources, including libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources, and IT services. The Bodleian Libraries is the largest library system in the UK, holding more than 13 million printed items and providing access to e-journals. The University's IT Services is available to support students with core university IT systems and tools.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. A supervisor may be found outside the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.

Assessment

Students in both tracks take assessed qualitative and quantitative research methodology modules, and both tracks write a dissertation which will be undertaken independently under the supervision of a member of faculty tutor with relevant expertise. Optional papers will be examined through essays at the end of each term. The language paper for the language track will be examined by a timed examination at the end of Trinity term.

Graduate Destinations

Graduates from the MSc Modern Middle Eastern Studies may choose to pursue careers in academia, government, business, journalism, and the NGO sector. The degree is particularly useful in preparing students wishing to continue study at the doctoral level through its provision of both qualitative and quantitative research training.

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: For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum overall GPA that is normally required to meet the undergraduate-level requirement is 3.6 out of 4.0.
• GRE General Test Scores: No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.
• Other Qualifications, Evidence of Excellence, and Relevant Experience: Applicants must have intermediate or advanced-level proficiency in Arabic for the language track, or full research fluency in at least one of the languages of the region for the non-language track.
• English Language Proficiency: This course requires proficiency in English at the University's higher level.

Funding

For entry in the academic year, the collegiate 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 ｣24,800 for Home students and ｣43,730 for Overseas students.
• Living Costs: In addition to course fees, students will need to ensure they have adequate funds to support their living costs for the duration of their course. The range of likely living costs for a single, full-time student is between ｣1,405 and ｣2,105 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 MSc in Modern Middle Eastern Studies:

• Balliol College
• Blackfriars
• Campion Hall
• 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
• Wadham College
• Wolfson College
• Wycliffe Hall

How to Apply

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents.

• Referees: Three overall, of which at least two must be academic.
• Official Transcript(s): Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date.
• Statement of Purpose: A maximum of 1,500 words, explaining your motivation for applying to the course at Oxford, your relevant experience and education, and the specific areas that interest you.
• Written Work: Two essays of a maximum of 2,000 words each, academic essays or other writing samples from your most recent qualification, written in English.