PhD Middle Eastern Studies

The PhD is the major postgraduate research degree. It involves three years of full-time study or six years of part-time study and the preparation of a thesis of not more than 80,000 words that makes a significant contribution to knowledge. A satisfactory PhD topic is one that a suitably qualified and properly supervised student can bring to completion within the permitted timeframe. Our PhD Middle Eastern Studies programme enables you to carry out a piece of significant, original research under the supervision of our academics. Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies at Manchester offers wide-ranging opportunities for research and advanced training in the history, politics, gender studies, literatures, religious traditions and cultures of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Training and research supervision in most major cultures and periods of the MENA region are delivered by experts whose publications contribute to their subject on an international level. We regularly organise seminars, workshops and conferences, and offer some specialist training opportunities. Another major research centre, the Centre for Jewish Studies (CJS), brings together a wide range of specialists from across the University, and a large and active body of graduate students working on various aspects of Jewish culture and history, including modern Israeli/Palestinian society. Your research will normally be supervised by two members of staff at the University. Your supervisors will most likely be members of the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures, but if your research requires it, we may arrange for supervision by someone outside the School. Other areas of doctoral supervision can be offered or are available through inter-disciplinary collaboration.