Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies MSc

Over the course of the programme, you will complete courses and activities totalling 180 credits.

You will take:

• two compulsory courses (20 credits each)
• four option courses (20 credits each)

You will also write a 15,000 word dissertation under supervision (60 credits). This will automatically be entered for the Yasir Suleiman Prize.

Your compulsory courses will give you a grounding in critical readings, research skills and dissertation training in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies.

Your option courses can be chosen from within Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies (IMES) or from other disciplines such as:

• history
• divinity
• politics
• international relations

The variety of options reflects the scope and richness of the degree, and allows you to curate your selections to suit your interests and aspirations.

Courses may include, but will not be limited to:

• Introductory Arabic, Persian or Turkish
• The Middle East in International Relations
• Gender and Media in the Arab World
• Digital Islamic Art History
• The History and Culture of Iran
• Islamic Philosophy
• Globalized Muslim Politics
• Muslims in Europe
• Muslim Societies in Southeast Asia
• Islamic Africa
• The History and Culture of Iran

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

The aim of this programme is to provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to advance to doctoral study, and perhaps pursue an academic career.

You may also choose to apply your skills to a role that involves the Middle Eastern or Islamic communities, or use your transferable communication, research, and other skills in a range of sectors including education, journalism, communication, research, and others.

• Meet our graduates - Lynn Houmdi

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a relevant discipline.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 176 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 65 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 7 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

• borrowing money

  • taking out a loan

  • family support

• personal savings

• income from work

• employer sponsorship

• scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding