Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asian Security Studies (MLitt)

University of St Andrews

The MLitt in Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asian Security Studies (MECCASS) provides students with an in-depth familiarity with the political and security dynamics of the geographic area of the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia.

Course information

The MLitt in Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asian Security Studies is a one-year multidisciplinary degree run by the School of International Relations. It offers an advanced grounding in the security of three fascinating and turbulent regions: the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia. It explores the security, politics, economics, history and culture of these strategically significant areas.

Highlights

The course is designed as a prelude to professional work in diplomacy, government, NGOs, or international business or as a preparation for PhD study.

In most years, the MECCASS teaching staff conduct a study trip for students to either Central Asia or the Middle East, offering unique insights (these trips depend on staff availability and conditions on ground, and cannot, therefore be guaranteed to be available every year; they are funded by participating students).

The course offers an opportunity for language study in Arabic, Persian or Russian on undergraduate levels.

Teaching is deeply informed with real-world experience as the programme regularly brings in practitioners and outside experts.

Careers

Recent graduates from the MLitt in Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asian Security Studies have gone on to work for:

• leading political risk consultancies
• various think tanks in the UK, Europe, Washington, DC
• local NGOs in The Middle East
• OSCE in Kazakhstan, the world's largest regional intergovernmental security organisation
• Governments, in diplomatic or analysis posts.

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students on a taught postgraduate course and offers a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.