The University of Edinburgh - Introduction to Postgraduate Study
17 Dec 2025, 13:00
Edinburgh
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Course summary
Located at the crossroads between Europe, Africa and Asia, the Middle East has played a pivotal role on the world stage from ancient times.
The University of Edinburgh is recognised in the UK and internationally as a leading institution for the study of the Middle East, Middle Eastern languages and the Islamic world.
Taking an Area Studies approach to the region, our four-year Master of Arts (MA) programme is highly flexible. It is designed to develop your knowledge and understanding of
Middle Eastern:
-
history
-
politics
-
societies and cultures
-
literatures
You will develop the skills to analyse, critique and compare key issues and concepts, both in group discussion and in written work.
To help you access and interpret source material, you will take Year 1 classes in at least one of the three main languages of the Middle East:
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Arabic
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Persian
-
Turkish
You can continue to take your language(s) into Year 2, or opt to take courses from other areas.
As you progress through the programme, you will develop your research skills to the level of completing a dissertation in your final year.
You will graduate with a combination of specialist knowledge and the Intercultural Competence valued by employers around the globe.
How to apply
This course has limited vacancies, and is no longer accepting applications from some students. See the list below for where you normally live, to check if you're eligible to apply.
- EU has vacancies
- Wales does not have vacancies
- England does not have vacancies
- International has vacancies
- Scotland does not have vacancies
- Northern Ireland does not have vacancies
- Republic of Ireland does not have vacancies
Apply by
29 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- T600
- Institution code:
- E56
- Campus name:
- Central area campus
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - ABB
ABB. Required subjects: A levels: no specific A Level subjects required. GCSEs: English at C or 4.
Scottish Higher - ABBB
ABBB by end of S5 or AABB/ABBBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Required subjects: Highers: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5s: English at C.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 36 - 34 points
36 points with 665 at HL - 34 points with 655 at HL. Required subjects: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: English at 5.
Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply.
You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference.
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
-
A level - ABB
Required subjects: A levels: no specific A Level subjects required. GCSEs: English at C or 4.
Scottish Higher - ABBB
ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Required subjects: Highers: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5s: English at C.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 34 points
34 points with 655 at HL. Required subjects: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: English at 5.
Find out more about minimum qualification requirements for this course.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | Total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 92 | Total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | Total 176 with at least 162 in each component. | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | Total 176 with at least 162 in each component. | |
| Trinity ISE | ISE II with distinctions in all four components. | |
| PTE Academic | 65 | Total 65 with at least 54 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online. |
Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies. For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher: SQA National 5 at C; SQA Standard Grade at 3; SQA Intermediate 1 at A; SQA Intermediate 2 at C; GCSE/IGSCE at C or 4; Level 2 Certificate Grade C or IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry). Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.
Full details of our English language requirements can be found on our website: https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate/entry-requirements/english-language
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
The University of Edinburgh welcomes students from the UK and all over the world. We accept a wide range of qualifications and our policies support students with diverse backgrounds and experience. UCAS entry grade data is currently not available for our degrees but we publish admissions statistics on our website. We also provide information on widening access offers and entry requirements.
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
- Data from:
- This course and 9 other African and modern Middle Eastern studies courses
- Date range:
- 2022-2024
Grades held by accepted students
- A*A*A*
- Highest grades
- AAB
- Lowest grades
Offer rate for UK school & college leavers
Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.
This course has a required grade that may not be listed in the data. Check the entry requirements for the full qualification requirements.
How do you compare?
See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Channel Islands | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £1820 | Year 1 |
| EU | £28000 | Year 1 |
| International | £28000 | Year 1 |
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees.
EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees.
Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme
The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh
Old College
South Bridge
Edinburgh
EH8 9YL
Visit our website Visit our course page
Course contact details
Student Recruitment & Admissions
Email:futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
Phone:0131 650 4360
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