Asian and Middle Eastern Studies — Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at the University of Cambridge offers an extensive and comprehensive examination of the cultures, histories, languages, and societies of the Middle East and Asia. This interdisciplinary program is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the complex social, political, and religious developments that have shaped these regions over centuries. Students have the opportunity to study a range of subjects including Arabic, Persian, Turkish, or Urdu language courses, alongside courses exploring literature, history, politics, and religion within the Middle Eastern and Asian contexts. The program emphasizes critical analysis, contextual understanding, and the development of linguistic skills, enabling graduates to engage effectively with contemporary issues affecting these regions. Through seminars, tutorials, and independent research projects, students are encouraged to develop their own perspectives and contribute to academic debates concerning the Middle East and Asia. The program also benefits from the university's extensive resources, including access to special collections, archives, and research centers dedicated to Asian and Middle Eastern studies. Students are encouraged to undertake placements, field trips, and language immersion activities to enhance their practical understanding and cultural awareness. Graduates of this program are well-equipped for careers in academia, journalism, international relations, government, NGOs, and various other fields that require in-depth regional knowledge and language proficiency. The program's flexible structure allows students to tailor their studies to their interests, with options for a wide range of specialization topics. Overall, the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies — Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies program at Cambridge aims to produce critically informed, culturally sensitive, and academically rigorous graduates capable of engaging with one of the world’s most dynamic and historically significant regions.

All prospective MPhil applicants are advised to peruse the staff profiles on our website to familiarise themselves with the research and teaching interests of staff members.

Once admitted onto the MPhil in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies), applicants will have the option of studying one of two streams:

• Muslim-Jewish Relations; or
• Persian Cultural History

* Muslim-Jewish Relations*

Students taking the Muslim-Jewish Relations stream will be introduced to the analytical tools required for studying Muslim-Jewish relations, primary sources in translation and original language, bibliographical method, objectivity in the study of interfaith relations and controversial themes. Topics may include the Jewish languages of the Islamic world; key historical documents in the study of Muslim-Jewish Relations; Muslim and Jewish thought; Law and Society and the Arab-Israeli conflict.

* Persian Cultural History*

Students taking the Persian Cultural History stream will be offered readings in Persian cultural history, identifying persisting trends in Persian literature and cultural production from the medieval period down to modern times. These themes revolve around kingship and the image of the ideal prince, theories of justice and good government, and competing sources of secular and religious authority. Similarly, the motif of love, both earthly and divine, is a common thread running through Persian literature and entails also the extensive use of imagery of the natural world. In the modern world, the course examines a number of issues by studying Iranian cinema and focusing on gender, historical adaptation, nation and approaches to narration and resistance to dominant discourses, reflecting also on how the stories and legends of the classical tradition are adapted for contemporary literature and media.  In discussing these topics, attention is paid to their visual as well as written representation.

For each of these streams, students are required to choose three papers - courses usually run over two terms - in addition to doing a 15,000-word MPhil dissertation under the supervision of a supervisor. The dissertations are submitted no later than mid-August following the start of the course.

MPhil students attend various training courses offered by the Department in codicology, text reading, and other skills. They are also encouraged to attend fourth-year undergraduate lectures and language courses where relevant. They may attend graduate work-in-progress seminars where they have an opportunity to present their own work to their peers for feedback in a supportive environment.

Feedback

Students taking the MPhil in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies), working on essays or examinations and a 15,000 word dissertation to be submitted in mid-August, will receive feedback on their work after the June Degree Committee meeting (for essays and examinations) and after the final Degree Committee meeting of the year in September (for MPhil dissertation results and overall Degree results). Students will receive feedback routinely throughout the year from their Supervisors. Supervisors also produce feedback via termly CGSRS reports on CamSIS.

Assessment

Thesis

For the MPhil in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies), students will submit a thesis of not more than 15,000 words, including footnotes and appendices but excluding bibliography on a subject approved by the Degree Committee. All MPhil dissertations must include a brief Abstract at the start of the dissertation of no more than 400 words.

There may be a viva on the thesis.

Essays

For the MPhil in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies), students may submit essays as part of their degree:

With the approval of the Degree Committee, a candidate may offer, in place of one or more of the examination papers, the same number of essays, each of not more than 5,000 words, including footnotes, but excluding bibliography, or equivalent Alternative Exercises approved by the Degree Committee.

Written examination

For the MPhil in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies), students may take examinations as part of their degree:

Three written examination papers on subjects approved by the Degree Committee, which shall fall within one of the fields specified in the Schedule to these regulations. With the approval of the Degree Committee, a candidate may offer, in place of one or more of those papers, the same number of essays, each of not more than 5,000 words, including footnotes, but excluding bibliography, or equivalent Alternative Exercises approved by the Degree Committee.

Practical assessment

There is no practical assessment associated with this course.

Other

An oral examination on the thesis and on the general field of knowledge within which it falls, but at the Degree Committee’s discretion the requirement for an oral examination may be waived.

• Magistr (Master's Degree) at Pass level. Diploma Specialista (completed post-1991) with a minimum overall grade of good or 4/5 Bachelor's from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and other prestigious institutions with an overall grade of 4/5 Bologna Bachelor's from other institutions with an overall grade of 5/5, Excellent
• Diploma Specialista (completed post-1991) with a minimum overall grade of Excellent or 5/5 Bachelor's from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and other prestigious institutions with an overall grade of 5/5
• IELTS (Academic) 7.5
• TOEFL Internet Score 110
• £50 application fee
• First Academic Reference
• Second Academic Reference
• Transcript
• Research Proposal 
• Attainments in languages. Good reading knowledge of Classical Arabic will be expected.Applicants are required to list the languages they know and their level of competence.
• Sample of Work
• Personal Reference. This is only required if you are applying for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship. Applicants who wish to be considered for the Gates Cambridge (USA) and Gates Cambridge (International) must include a personal reference with their GRADSAF and other supporting documentation.

The University of Cambridge offers a range of financing options for students pursuing the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies with a focus on Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies. Tuition fees vary depending on the status of the student—home/EU or international. For the academic year 2023-2024, the estimated tuition fee for home students is approximately £12,000 per year, while international students can expect to pay around £30,000 annually. These fees are subject to change and should be confirmed on the university’s official website prior to application. In addition to tuition, students should consider personal living expenses, which include accommodation, food, transportation, books, and other daily costs. On average, a graduate student might budget around £14,000 to £18,000 per year for living costs in Cambridge, depending on lifestyle choices.

The university provides various funding opportunities for students in this program. Scholarships and bursaries are available based on academic merit, financial need, or specific demographic criteria. For example, the Cambridge Trust offers numerous scholarships for international students, covering partial or full tuition fees, as well as maintenance stipends. Similarly, the Ghent University-Cambridge Scholarship, Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme, and other subject-specific grants may also be applicable. Students are encouraged to explore external funding sources, including government scholarships from their home countries, such as the Chevening Scholarship for international students wishing to study in the UK.

Work opportunities are also available on a part-time basis for students during their studies, subject to visa regulations for international students. The university’s Career Service provides resources and guidance to help students identify internships, part-time employment, and research assistant positions, which can help offset living costs. Moreover, students may apply for research or teaching assistantships within the department, although these positions are competitive.

Financial planning for postgraduate studies at Cambridge is an important aspect, and prospective students should prepare a comprehensive budget that accounts for tuition, living expenses, study materials, health insurance, and unforeseen costs. The university strongly recommends applying early for scholarships and funding opportunities, as many awards have early deadlines. Additionally, students should keep informed about country-specific funding options, as a number of national and international agencies support students pursuing graduate degrees in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies. Overall, Cambridge’s combination of internal funding options and external opportunities provides substantial support for students enrolling in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, ensuring that financial considerations do not hinder access to high-quality graduate education in this field.

The MPhil in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies — Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at the University of Cambridge is a highly specialized postgraduate program designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the history, culture, language, and politics of the Middle East within the broader context of Asian and Middle Eastern regions. The program aims to equip students with advanced research skills and critical analytical abilities to explore the complex interactions and developments in Middle Eastern societies, Islamic civilizations, and their historical and contemporary contexts. It offers a comprehensive curriculum that integrates various disciplines, including history, politics, religion, and cultural studies, enabling students to develop a multidisciplinary perspective on the region.

Students enrolled in this program have access to a wide range of resources, including extensive library collections, archives, and online databases, facilitating original research and in-depth analysis. The program emphasizes language acquisition, offering training in relevant languages such as Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, or Turkish, which are essential for primary research and understanding regional texts and sources. Faculty members are experts in their fields, with many involved in cutting-edge research, publications, and policy advising, ensuring that students receive instruction rooted in the latest scholarship and regional developments.

The MPhil is structured in a way that combines taught modules, focusing on core themes like Middle Eastern history, politics, religion, and society, with a significant dissertation component that allows students to conduct independent research under supervision. The program typically lasts for one year, requiring full-time study, and culminates in a thesis that demonstrates students' ability to analyze complex issues critically and contribute to academic discourse.

Admission to the program is competitive, requiring a strong academic background in related fields, proficiency in relevant languages, and a clear research proposal. The program is suitable for those seeking careers in academia, research institutions, think tanks, government agencies, or international organizations focusing on Middle Eastern and Islamic affairs. Graduates of this program have gone on to hold influential positions, contributing to policy development, academic scholarship, and regional diplomacy.

Overall, the MPhil in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies — Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at the University of Cambridge offers an intellectually rigorous environment and diverse academic community dedicated to understanding one of the most historically significant and geopolitically vital regions of the world.