Program Overview
Home Study Postgraduate Taught home Courses Arab and Islamic Studies Middle East Studies MRes Please note: This page is for 2027 entry. MRes Middle East Studies UCAS code 1234 Duration 1 year full time 2 years part time Entry year 2026 Campus Streatham Campus Typical offer View full entry requirements We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree or above (or equivalent). Contextual offers Why study MRes Middle East Studies at Exeter? You’ll develop your research skills through in-depth study of the recent and social history of the Middle East Receive core training in social scientific philosophy and methodology and learn how to apply this to the study of the contemporary Middle East You’ll examine how the region has changed and developed over the last 150 years Join an active and collaborative research culture that draws together doctoral researchers, staff and students to produce cutting-edge knowledge about the Arab and Islamic worlds Learn discipline specific methodology and analytical techniques that lay the basis for you to progress to doctoral study Fast Track (current Exeter students) Open Days Get a prospectus Contact Programme Director: Dr Ahmed Dailami Web: Enquire online Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72 Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies - Archival resources at the University of Exeter. 4th in the UK for African & Middle Eastern Studies The Complete University Guide 2026 Top 3 for student satisfaction in six out of seven themes National Student Survey 2025 Home to Europe's most important research collection on the Arab world Entry requirements We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree or above (or equivalent).
Key Program Features
Why study MRes Middle East Studies at Exeter?
- You’ll develop your research skills through in-depth study of the recent and social history of the Middle East
- Receive core training in social scientific philosophy and methodology and learn how to apply this to the study of the contemporary Middle East
- You’ll examine how the region has changed and developed over the last 150 years
- Join an active and collaborative research culture that draws together doctoral researchers, staff and students to produce cutting-edge knowledge about the Arab and Islamic worlds
- Learn discipline specific methodology and analytical techniques that lay the basis for you to progress to doctoral study
Career Opportunities
Careers
Graduates from this programme may find professional employment in a wide range of sectors both in the UK and internationally. A comprehensive background in Islamic Studies is relevant to careers in:
- Academia and education
- International agencies such as the United Nations or the European Union
- International development
- Print and broadcast media
- Politics
- Private sector companies with interests in Islamic countries
Employment and professional development Our excellent Employability and Graduate Development Service provides invaluable support, advice and access to graduate employers. Visit the employment and professional development pages for more information, including podcasts and profiles, about the range of support available. Further study The academic skills developed on the MRes Middle East Studies will enable to you to pursue doctoral study. The Institute has an international profile for our pioneering regional focus on the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula and expertise in Islamic Studies providing an ideal place in which to undertake an MPhil/PhD.
Program Curriculum
Course content
This masters is designed to develop your research skills within the field of Middle East Studies. Your core training will be in social scientific philosophy and methodology, which you will then learn to apply to the study of the contemporary Middle East.
The programme is designed to develop your understanding of the history and evolution of the Middle East as a region, as well as introducing you to approaches to studying the area, and specialised quantitative and qualitative analytical techniques appropriate to this specialism.
This programme also forms part of the ESRC SWDTP – a hub of world-class social sciences research.
The modules below provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Modules Please note that the module information displayed here is from a previous year and is subject to change. Compulsory modules Code Module Credits ARAM233 Dissertation skills 15 SOCM002A Philosophy of the Social Sciences 1 15 POLM063 Qualitative Methods in Social Research 15 POLM651 State and Society in the Middle East 30 POLM809 Applied Quantitative Data Analysis 15 ARAM027 MA Dissertation 60 Optional modules You need to choose a 30 credit ARAMxxx option module as part of your 180 total credits for of the programme. Code Module Credits MRes Middle East Studies Option Modules 2025-6 ARAM054 State and Society in the Middle East 30 ARAM081 Advanced Arabic Language 30 ARAM090 Energy, Logistics, Infrastructure 30 ARAM091 Ecological Struggles 30 ARAM092 Capstone Project 60 ARAM093 Energy Infrastructure Environment Placement 15 ARAM103 New Approaches to Islamic Thought 30 ARAM112A Independent Reading Course - Sem 1 15 ARAM112B Independent Reading Course - Sem 2 15 ARAM147 The Kurds: History and Politics 30 ARAM221 The Palestine Question: Past and Present 30 ARAM232 Theorising the Middle East 15 ARAM244 Politics and Economics of the Middle East 30 ARAM251 Esotericism and the Magical Tradition 30 ARAM257 Philosophising Magic: From Late Antiquity to the Middle Ages 15 EFPM839 Transdisciplinary Collaborations for Creative Futures 30 HASM013 Mental Health in Social and Historical Context 30
Admission Requirements
Entry requirements
We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree or above (or equivalent). We welcome students from any academic background.
Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications . Entry requirements for international students English language requirements International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required IELTS test scores for this course fall under Profile B1 . Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
GBP 15,950/year (international)
Fees
2025/26 entry
UK fees per year:
£12,500 full-time; £6,250 part-time
International fees per year:
£25,300 full-time; £12,650 part-time
Scholarships
The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year , including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships * . We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page .
University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Scholarships
The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year , including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships * . We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page .
University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship
We are pleased to offer University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship towards the cost of your tuition fees. Full details can be found here.
*Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply. See our website for details. .
Find out more about tuition fees and funding »
About The University of Exeter
The University of Exeter
Botswana, Botswana
Visit the university profile page to learn more about this institution.
University Profile- Start Date in 2026
- Language English
- Duration 12 months
- Credits 60 ECTS / 180 credits (1-year programme)