Research Degrees (MPhil/PhD) in Near and Middle Eastern Studies

Program Overview

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The MPhil/PhD in Near and Middle Eastern Studies at SOAS University of London offers in-depth research training and study of the Near and Middle East, with an interdisciplinary approach encompassing history, literature, politics, religion, and society. Led by world-renowned academics, the program provides students with the opportunity to conduct research on a wide range of topics, preparing them for careers in academia, government, NGOs, the media, and the private sector.

Program Outline

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Research Degrees (MPhil/PhD) in Near and Middle Eastern Studies at SOAS

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Degree Overview

The MPhil/PhD in Near and Middle Eastern Studies program at SOAS University of London provides in-depth research training and study of the Near and Middle East, an interdisciplinary subject area, with research undertaken in the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics at SOAS.

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Reasons to choose this program:

• SOAS's reputation: SOAS is ranked 1st in London in the Complete University Guide 2021 for Middle Eastern and African Studies, and 6th in UK.
• Unrivaled expertise: SOAS has an unrivalled reputation as the foremost provider of Near and Middle Eastern studies.
• Interdisciplinary approach: The program offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to the study of the Near and Middle East, encompassing various fields such as history, literature, politics, religion, and society.
• World-class faculty: You will be taught and supervised by leading academics in their respective fields, who are actively engaged in cutting-edge research.
• Research opportunities: You will have the opportunity to conduct research on a wide range of topics related to the Near and Middle East, with access to extensive library resources and potential fieldwork opportunities.
• Career prospects: Graduates of the program are well-prepared for a variety of careers in academia, government, NGOs, the media, and the private sector.

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Outline

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Year 1:

• Research Training Seminar Series: Students attend a series of seminars that provide training in research methods, academic writing, and presentation skills.
• Additional Training: Students may also participate in additional training offered in the Centre for Cultural, Literary and Postcolonial Studies (CCLPS) and other relevant departments.
• Core Chapter and Research Proposal: Students prepare a core chapter and research proposal of approximately 10,000 words, which includes a research rationale, outline of the proposed dissertation, schedule of completion, bibliography, and a draft of the core chapter.
• Upgrade Process: Students undergo an upgrade process based on the assessment of their research proposal and an oral presentation.
Upon successful completion, they are formally upgraded to PhD status.

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Year 2:

• Research: Students are engaged in full-time research, which may involve fieldwork, library research, and data collection.

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Year 3:

• Writing up: Students focus on writing their PhD thesis, with guidance from their supervisors.
• Thesis Presentation: Students present their research findings in a departmental research seminar.
• Thesis Submission and Examination: The completed thesis is submitted for examination by two external examiners.

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Duration:

• Full-time: 3 years
• Part-time: 6 years

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Assessment

The assessment of the program is based on a combination of coursework, examinations, and the PhD thesis.

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Coursework:

• Students are expected to complete a series of research methods and theory courses.
• The quality of student participation and engagement in these courses is assessed.

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Examinations:

• Students may be required to take written or oral examinations on the subject matter of their research.

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PhD Thesis:

• The thesis is the most significant component of the assessment and is examined by two external examiners.
• The examiners assess the originality, depth, and quality of the research, as well as the student's ability to analyze, interpret, and present their findings.

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Teaching

The program is taught by a team of world-renowned academics who are experts in their respective fields.

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Teaching methods:

• A combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, and individual supervision is used to provide students with a comprehensive and interactive learning experience.
• Students are encouraged to participate actively in class discussions and to engage with their peers and supervisors.

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Faculty:

• The program benefits from the expertise of leading scholars in the field, such as Professor Muhammad A S Abdel Haleem, Dr George Dedes, and Dr Marlé Hammond.

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Unique approaches:

• The program emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the Near and Middle East.
• Students are encouraged to develop their own research interests and to pursue their research in a way that is relevant to their career aspirations.

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Careers

Graduates of the program are well-prepared for a variety of careers in academia, government, NGOs, the media, and the private sector.

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Some potential career paths include:

• Academic researcher
• Lecturer
• Policy analyst
• Journalist
• Diplomat
• NGO worker
• Consultant

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Other

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Scholarships:

A range of scholarships are available to support students undertaking research degrees at SOAS.

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Recent PhD Theses:

• Word and Image in Visual Art and Poetry from the Arab World
• Creaturely Encounters: Animals in the Libyan literary imaginary
• The Discourse of Compromise: Theoretical Constructs of Free Will and Predestination in the Works of Avicenna, Ghazālī and Ibn ʿArabī.
• The program is designed to be flexible and to accommodate the needs of individual students.
• Students are encouraged to take advantage of the wide range of resources and opportunities available at SOAS, including the Brunei Gallery, the British Library, and the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies.

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Home student fees (full-time): £4,860 per year Home student fees (part-time): £2,430 per year Overseas student fees (full-time): £22,490 per year Overseas student fees (part-time): £11,245 per year Please note that fees go up each year.