Please note that applications for 2023/24 are now closed. MPhil applications for 2024/25 will open in September 2023. The deadline to be considered for funding will be 5 December 2023.
The taught MPhil in Modern Middle Eastern Studies gives you the opportunity to use methods from the Humanities and Social Sciences to research topics relating to the modern Middle East. You will apply the skills gained during your undergraduate studies and advance your research expertise, particularly though the study of primary sources.
You will already be competent in Arabic, Hebrew or Persian, usually to a level at least equivalent to two years of full time study of the language.
For specifics on how to apply, requirements, fees and finance, please see the University Postgraduate Admissions pages for this course
The course entails
- a core module providing an overview of the wider field of Middle Eastern Studies and on-going training and support for your dissertation
- two optional modules providing specialist training in specific aspects of the modern Middle East
- a 15,000-word research dissertation on a topic of your choice
Before you apply, we encourage you to contact us to discuss your research interests. Please see the list of Faculty members below. For more general queries about the degree course please contact the Postgraduate Administrator. If possible, please attach a draft research proposal for your MPhil dissertation when contacting us. The proposal should usually be fewer than 1,500 words in length and can later be submitted as part of your formal application.
The course provides an excellent foundation for doctoral research for those interested in continuing their academic careers. Postgraduates have also found employment in a wide range of fields including development and charity work, the cultural sector and education and other fields where cultural understanding, linguistic skills and high level critical thinking, analysis and communication skills are needed.
Faculty Members with Research Interests in Modern Middle Eastern Studies
Dr Anderson is open to receiving applications for MPhil and PhD projects from students with a training in social anthropology, who want to work on projects that contribute to current debates in anthropology, particularly in relation to the anthropology of Islam, ethics or commerce; or the anthropology of Syria.
Applicants for PhD study should have some prior academic training in anthropology, which is also usually offered as part of the MPhil by advanced study programme.
Dr Ashraf welcomes inquiries from prospective MPhil and PhD students who are interested in projects relating to the history of Iran and the Persian-speaking world, from the early modern to modern periods broadly defined.
Dr Monier is open to supervising research on the following topics:
The politics of the modern Arab World.
State-Society relations in Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain and Oman.
Nationalism and state-building.
Identity politics and sectarianism.
Minorities.
Regional power, geopolitics and inter-Arab relations.
Arabic media.
Dr Olszok is happy to supervise students who wish to work in fields of Arabic literature in which she has expertise.
Prof Peleg welcomes inquiries from potential MPhil and PhD students with research interests relevant to his interests in modern Hebrew literary history, Israeli cinema and Israeli culture more generally, primarily the creation of a native Hebrew culture in Palestine/Eretz Israel at the beginning of the twentieth century and its legacy.
Prof van Ruymbeke welcomes approaches from potential graduate students with research interests relevant to hers. She requests that prospective students email her to discuss their proposed projects before sending in their applications.
Dr Christine van Ruymbeke talks about postgraduate studies in Persian Literature
