AMES Recognised Among the UK's Leading Institutions for Asian & Middle Eastern Studies

The Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES) is delighted to have been recognised among the UK's leading institutions for Asian & Middle Eastern Studies in the Complete University Guide 2026 subject rankings.

The Faculty was ranked first for Asian Studies and received leading recognition for African & Middle Eastern Studies.

Published annually, the Complete University Guide is one of the UK's most widely used university guides, helping prospective students and their families compare courses and explore higher education opportunities across the country. The rankings draw on a range of indicators including research quality, entry standards, graduate prospects, and student satisfaction.

Professor Laura Moretti, Head of the East Asian Department, reflected on the recognition as a testament to the Faculty’s commitment to intellectually rigorous and globally engaged teaching. “Our approach is rooted in language learning, cultural understanding, and interdisciplinary enquiry. We equip students not only with linguistic proficiency, but also with the ability to navigate different histories, perspectives, and ways of understanding the world.”

For us, this recognition is about more than rankings.

At AMES, we believe that studying languages, cultures, histories, and societies is one of the most powerful ways to understand a rapidly changing world. Our students engage with regions and communities that are central to contemporary global conversations. Our coursework and tailored support help them develop the linguistic, cultural, and analytical skills needed to navigate complex international challenges.

Through the study of Arabic, Chinese, Hebrew, Japanese, Persian, and the wider histories, literatures, and cultures of East Asia and the Middle East, students are encouraged to think critically, cross boundaries, and interrogate different ways of understanding the world.

As Professor Amira K. Bennison, Head of the Middle East Department, observed, this recognition also reflects “the dedication of our academic and professional services staff, the intellectual curiosity of our students, and the vibrant learning and research environment we continue to build together at AMES.”

Because understanding each other has never mattered more.