The MPhil in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies by Research is a one-year research Masters which gives postgraduate students an opportunity to develop their analytical, research and writing skills in preparation for further academic research in a PhD or entry to professions requiring such skills. The degree suits those postgraduate students who have specific research interests and who already possess some research training.
This MPhil programme is taken by dissertation only. This entails working closely with one supervisor throughout the year on a 25,000-word dissertation to be submitted in mid-August.
The Faculty currently offers the following Masters programmes by research:
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.
For specifics on how to apply, requirements, fees and finance, please see the relevant University Postgraduate Admissions pages.
Supervisors - 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.
Professor Bennison is happy to supervise graduate students in work relating to the pre-modern history of the Maghrib and Islamic cultural history, including the Medieval Islamic West
Professor Khan is happy to supervise projects relating to any area of his research.
Professor Marsham is happy to supervise graduate students in work relating to pre-modern Islamic History.
Professor Montgomery is currently on sabbatical
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
Supervisors - East Asian Studies
Having supervised graduate students in a range of fields, including premodern and modern Japanese history, premodern literature as well as Buddhism, Professor Adolphson would welcome enquiries from motivated graduate students and young scholars from across the world.
** Prof Adolphson will be on sabbatical leave during the academic years of 2021-22 and 2022-23. However, he may be able to accommodate new PhD students during this period. **
Professor Chau is happy to supervise research students in the areas of Chinese religious and ritual life; social and cultural change in contemporary China; Chinese environmentalism; the local state; urban renewal; China and the overseas Chinese and other topics relating to social anthropology of contemporary China.
I regret to say that I no longer accept new graduate students. So please do not apply.
I welcome proposals for graduate work in the areas of late-imperial Chinese literature, print culture, and Chinese religions.
[Dr Ganany will be on sabbatical leave during MT 2022 - LT 2023 and will not be taking new students]
Dr Inwood is happy to supervise students in topics relating to her research on modern and contemporary Chinese literature, culture and media.
Prof. Kushner is pleased to supervise graduate students interested in imperial and postwar Japanese history, 20th century Japan-Taiwan, as well as Sino-Japanese relations, the history of the Cold War in East Asia, and history of war crimes in East Asia.
Prof Moretti welcomes graduate students interested in Japanese premodern and early modern literature. She also strongly encourages projects that investigate early modern Japanese culture more broadly, including visual culture and woodblock prints; book history and/or textual scholarship in Japan; Japanese palaeography and calligraphy, and art.. She is also keen to supervise projects that work on issues of adaptation, canon-making, intervisuality, playfulness, humour, satire, metafiction, didactic prose, medicine in popular culture, and transmedia storytelling.
Dr Nilsson-Wright is happy to supervise graduate students who wish to work on East Asian politics, international relations and diplomatic history, particularly with reference to Japan, North and South Korea and US relations with Northeast Asia.
Dr Steger welcomes inquiries from talented young scholars to work under her supervision. She is willing and able to supervise a wide range of topics related to Japanese contemporary society. Please contact her by e-mail prior to application and submit a draft research proposal (ask for guidelines).
Chinese thought; pre-imperial and early imperial cultural history; natural history; classical Chinese language.
Prof. Sterckx will be on research leave during the academic year 2024-25.
Prof van de Ven is happy to supervise graduate students in a range of topics relating to modern Chinese history. He is interested in the history of war, the history of the Chinese Communist Party, and economic and political history.
However, Prof van de Ven will be on sabbatical leave during the 2021 calendar year. He will resume taking on new PhD students in 2021-22 academic year. Prof van de Ven is not currently taking any MPhil students.
*** Dr Young will be on sabbatical Lent and Easter 2024 and therefore not able to take one-year MPhil applicants intending to commence study in Oct 2023 ***
Dr Young is pleased to supervise graduate students interested in modern and contemporary Japanese and Okinawan literature, particularly where linked to themes and issues of imperialism, decolonisation, gender and sexuality, multilinguality, and translation.
Supervisors - South Asian Studies
Dr Vergiani is happy to supervise graduate students on work relating to his research.