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Study African & Middle Eastern Studies, why & how to study

African & Middle Eastern Studies is an ideal course if you're looking to gain a broad knowledge of these regions and at least one foreign language.

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CONTENTS

  1. What’s African & Middle Eastern Studies?

  2. What African & Middle Eastern Studies degrees can you study?

  3. What do you need to get onto an African & Middle Eastern Studies degree?

  4. What topics does an African & Middle Eastern Studies degree cover?

  5. How will you be assessed?

  6. Why study African & Middle Eastern Studies?

  7. What do African & Middle Eastern Studies graduates earn?

  8. What jobs can you get as an African & Middle Eastern Studies graduate?

  9. What are the postgraduate opportunities?

  10. Similar subjects to African & Middle Eastern Studies

  11. Have any questions?

What’s African & Middle Eastern Studies?

African Studies is the study of the continent's cultures and societies instead of its geology, geography and zoology. The field includes the study of Africa's history, ethnicity, culture, politics and economy.

Middle Eastern Studies is the name given to the study of the history, culture, politics, economies and geography of the Middle East, encompassing Israel, Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Syria.

What African & Middle Eastern Studies degrees can you study?

Undergraduate degrees in African & Middle Eastern Studies often focus on language, culture, politics or history. They include:

  • Anthropology and African Studies BA

  • Art History and Arabic BA

  • Business Management with Arabic BA

  • Modern Greek and Turkish BA

Some degrees will offer the option to study a year abroad or do a year in industry gaining relevant work experience. There will also be those that offer an integrated foundation year.

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  2. Find an African & Middle Eastern Studies undergraduate degree 
  3. Types of undergraduate degrees 

What do you need to get onto an African & Middle Eastern Studies degree?

Entry requirements for African & Middle Eastern Studies degree range from 104 to 165 UCAS points.

  • A Level: A*AA–BCC

  • Scottish Highers: AAAAA–AABBB (or Advanced Highers AAB–AA)

  • International Baccalaureate: 42–26

  • Universities will usually ask that you have studied an A Level or sometimes a GCSE in a European language

  • May exclude general studies A Level

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  2. Entry requirements 
  3. About UCAS points 
  4. Alternatives to A Levels

What topics does an African & Middle Eastern Studies degree cover?

Typical modules from an African & Middle Eastern Studies degree include:

  • Cultural or historical studies relating to the language/area studied (whether ancient or modern)

  • Intensive language learning in the area/s of study

Where combined with another area of study, modules may cover:

  • Archaeology

  • Anthropology

  • Management practice

  • Human resources management

  • Economics

  • Art history

  • Film and media studies

How will you be assessed?

Courses are assessed in a variety of ways, depending on the module:

  • Coursework

  • Essays

  • Group and individual presentations

  • Formal examinations

  • Dissertation

Why study African & Middle Eastern Studies?

Focusing on regions rich in culture and history, an African & Middle Eastern Studies degree will give you broad skills and cultural insights.

Career-specific skills:

  • Languages from Arabic to Turkish, Hebrew to Persian

  • Courses can be combined with other areas of interest, from business and economics to cultural

Transferable skills:

  • Communication skills

  • Drafting and leading presentations

  • Research (independent or collaborative)

  • Critical thinking

  • Teamwork

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  2. Read Reasons to study African & Middle Eastern Studies

What do African & Middle Eastern Studies graduates earn?

A wide range of work awaits African & Middle Eastern Studies graduates, from interpreting to marketing, with entry-level salaries from £18,000–26,000.

Mid-career, average salaries can range from £30,000 for translators to £51,000 for lecturers in higher education.

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  2. See what students do and earn after graduation 

What jobs can you get as an African & Middle Eastern Studies graduate?

Numerous companies offer graduate schemes in this subject, including the governments and embassies of countries in these areas. Potential careers include:

  • Translator, interpreter or writer

  • Business or marketing professional

  • Human resources manager or recruitment consultant

  • Diplomatic service

  • Political analyst

  • Education (teaching or lecturer)

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

If you want to study African & Middle Eastern Studies at the postgraduate level, there are plenty of options. Some master’s degrees also include intensive language study.

  • African Studies MA/MSc/MRes/MPhil or PhD

  • Arab World Studies MSc or PhD

  • Asian and Middle Eastern Studies PhD

  • Late Antique and Byzantine Studies MA/MPhil/MSt

  • Palestine Studies MA/MPhil or PhD

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  2. Find postgraduate courses for African & Middle Eastern Studies
  3. Type of postgraduate degrees

Similar subjects to African & Middle Eastern Studies

If you’re interested in other cultures or languages, you could also consider these subjects:

Have any questions?

If you have questions about studying African & Middle Eastern Studies, you can email our experts at ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk. We’ll be happy to hear from you!

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