Undergraduate study

Are you looking for something different, to expand your cultural horizons? Are you excited by languages and seeking a challenge? Learn something new with the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES) in Cambridge.

Our undergraduate courses train you to become experts in Arabic Studies, Chinese Studies, Hebrew Studies, Japanese Studies, and Persian Studies. We offer intensive language learning, combined with study of history, literature, society, and much more, leading to an in depth understanding of your chosen area. You also have opportunities to think across these cultures, with a wider focus on the chosen region (East Asia and the Middle East).

On this page:

 

Collage of manuscripts and writing in different alphabets

Who can apply

We welcome applications from prospective undergraduates of all socio-economic and schooling backgrounds.

You do not need to have studied language at GCSEs and at A-levels but of course we value the desire to try out language learning at earlier stages, at school or as extracurricular activities. 

Chinese Studies and Japanese Studies applicants

Chinese Studies and Japanese Studies are intended for students who do not speak Chinese or Japanese as their mother tongue or first language. 

We will consider applications from students who wish to learn Chinese or Japanese from scratch, as well as those possessing prior knowledge of Chinese or Japanese, for instance candidates who have studied Chinese or Japanese at school up to and including sixth form (but not those who are native speakers of Chinese or Japanese). 

As a rule, Chinese and Japanese cannot be combined, although the combination can be allowed under exceptional circumstances in Part II (years 3 and 4). Korean language is available in 2 separate papers (= courses), one in the second and one in the final year. Chinese and Japanese cannot be combined with European languages.  

Arabic, Hebrew, and Persian Studies applicants

Arabic Studies, Hebrew Studies and Persian Studies are intended for students who do not speak Arabic, Hebrew or Persian as their mother tongue or first language. 

Our first-year courses in each language are from scratch. Where candidates have significant knowledge of one of our languages (for instance, they have studied it at secondary school and/or sixth form college) it may be possible to take up a different Middle Eastern language from scratch in the first year, and then switch to or combine it with their preferred language in the second year, subject to an internal faculty assessment at the end of their first year. 

Arabic and Hebrew can be combined with another Middle Eastern language or with a European language. Persian must be combined with another language. There are options to study Hindi in the second year and Sanskrit in the fourth year. 

Why study with us

As an undergraduate student in our programme, you can:

  • gain unrivalled mastery of your chosen language(s)
  • develop in-depth understanding of the chosen culture(s) across a wealth of disciplines that include history, literature, religion, politics, sociology, anthropology, and linguistics
  • realise your intellectual potential in a stimulating, inherently multi-disciplinary environment
  • access a broad range of methodological approaches in the humanities
  • develop sensitivity to the similarities and dissimilarities between other cultures and societies and your own
  • grow cognitive, practical, interpersonal and cross-cultural skills and abilities to enable you to make a significant contribution in your chosen career 

What our students say about AMES in Cambridge

Read what our students say about their reasons for choosing us and the enriching experiences they've had at our Faculty.

 

Choose a College

When applying to Cambridge you must choose a College. Choosing the right College is an important factor in your experience at Cambridge. Your College will be your home, as well as a place of study, during your time here. The University admissions pages include excellent advice about how to make up your mind about which College is right for you.

Read about our Directors of Studies (DoS). They will play an important role in your College.

The degree

Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, BA (Hons) at the University of Cambridge is a 4-year degree.

We are not just a language school. All your instructors are academics skilled in their fields and target language. With them you will learn to integrate language and content to develop deeper understanding of the culture(s) you are interested in. By studying with us you will become an expert in these cultures.

Our degree structure

Year one

  • Basic language instruction across reading, writing, speaking, listening
  • Lectures and seminars in a range of subjects related to your chosen region

Year 2

  • Develop more advanced language and translation skills
  • Deepen your knowledge in subject areas that interest you most

Year 3

  • Spend a year abroad immersed in the language and culture you study
  • Begin research for fourth-year dissertation

Year 4

  • Further hone your language and translation skills
  • Write up dissertation and attend advanced seminars from a range of options

Your Year Abroad

Our degree includes a Year Abroad in the third year during which you spend 8 months in a country or countries relevant to your course. Students develop their plans in consultation with the relevant Year Abroad Coordinator. This is a unique opportunity to experience the culture that you are passionate about at first-hand and to push your language learning to an advanced level, ready for your final year. You also start to do research for your final year dissertation. In some countries there are also opportunities for internships. The Year Abroad is a compulsory part of our programme.

How the Year Abroad is assessed

No matter what your pathway is, you are not required to take exams during your Year Abroad. You will be assessed on what you have learned during your final year. You use the time to:

  • improve your language skills for an oral exam when you return to Cambridge for your final year
  • do preliminary research and reading for your final year dissertation guided by your dissertation supervisor
  • explore first hand the country or the countries of the culture you are passionate about

Costs of the Year Abroad

For Home students undertaking a full year abroad, the tuition fee currently payable to the University of Cambridge will be 15% of the tuition fee for that year. For specific figures see the Year Abroad Tuition Fees section of the Finance section's tuition fees page.

If your Year Abroad consists of studying at a University or a Language Centre in a foreign country related to your East Asian or Middle Eastern language, with prior Faculty approval, the tuition fees of that University might be covered. Expenses related to maintenance (dorm fees, food, etc.) are, normally, not covered.

Depending on the country you travel to, there might be opportunity to apply for scholarships external to the University of Cambridge.

Our teaching

We are proud to offer effective teaching that values each individual and offers a bespoke learning experience.

Being a relatively small Faculty, our classes, even the largest, typically cater for no more than 15 students at a time and are conducted in seminar style. This means that you will have excellent opportunities to interact both with instructors and your fellow students. On top of class learning we offer supervisions, often conducted in a 1:1 setting or in very small groups. This ensures that you get the support you need when you need it.

Our Faculty prides itself on its inclusivity. We deeply care for the wellbeing of all our students and we work closely with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Centre to support students who may need extra support.

Your years with us will give you a change to develop a wide network with fellow students in the Faculty and in the College. 

Educational aims of the programme

  • To provide teaching to undergraduate students in a number of the languages and cultures (across a wide range of disciplines) of East Asia and the Middle East as they have developed through history to the present.
  • To introduce students to current developments in scholarship and research relating to these topics.
  • To provide a stimulating, inherently multi-disciplinary environment in which students can realise their intellectual potential.
  • To give students access to a broad range of methodological approaches in the humanities and to enable them to develop sensitivity to the similarities and dissimilarities between other cultures and societies and their own.
  • To help students develop a range of cognitive, practical, interpersonal and cross-cultural skills and abilities which will enable them to make a significant contribution in their chosen careers and walks of life, including training in academic research.

Career possibilities

Studying Middle Eastern or East Asian Studies can lead to a range of fascinating careers, both conventional and unexpected.

The languages we teach are in high demand. The cultural knowledge and understanding you gain as an essential part of your studies prepares you to immerse yourself in life in the Middle East and East Asia.

We encourage the development of transferrable skills in confident and coherent written and verbal communication and independent thinking.

You will have gained experience in research, sourcing, examining and interpreting evidence and in solving problems creatively and effectively. You may discover and develop areas of interest which might otherwise never have occurred to you.

It's no wonder that our graduates have moved into a wide range of interesting careers, such as:

  • commerce, particularly in the global markets of the Middle East and East Asia
  • international relations, working for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office or international agencies
  • development and charity, working on humanitarian projects
  • media, putting their skills to work reporting, researching or other careers in journalism and related areas
  • cultural sector, for example working in museums and galleries, writing or film making
  • education, sharing their knowledge with others
  • academic, continuing their studies to postgraduate level and beyond

Application details

Find out more about the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, BA (Hons) course on our undergraduate admissions website.

Tips for your UCAS application

Make sure to:

  • choose your key cultural area or language (Japanese or Chinese; Arabic or Hebrew; Arabic, Hebrew or Persian with another Middle Eastern language or a European language you have studied to A level).
  • show your passion!
  • explain what you have done so far to support your interest in the course
  • describe your future ambitions
  • proofread your application

Contact us

Contact our Undergraduate Programmes Administrator at ugpa@ames.cam.ac.uk