Choose from a range of taught and research-led programmes, including one-year masters degrees, and our PhD in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies. What's it like to study here? With over 260 years of history in teaching and research, we are globally recognised as a leading centre for postgraduate study in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies.Join our community and you’ll be part of a friendly, international group with interests spanning the languages, histories, cultures, religions and politics of the Middle East and the wider Islamic world. Highlights include regular seminars by staff, research students and visiting speakers, the annual W.M. Watt Lecture, and a wide range of cultural events, conferences and collaborations, helping you develop the fluency and confidence to operate at the highest professional and academic levels.Our research resources and facilities are outstanding, and we have excellent links with a number of centres and networks, from the Alwaleed Centre and the Centre for Medieval & Renaissance Studies at the University of Edinburgh, to the Edinburgh Iranian Festival. What can I study? MSc in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Combining a course in critical readings, training in research skills and methods, option courses spanning a wide range of specialisms, and optional language learning, this masters programme will help you gain an advanced, interdisciplinary understanding of the history, modern politics and culture of the Islamic Middle East, as well as the paradigms behind the various disciplines within the field.Full-time, one year (all students) ꟾ part-time, two years (eligibility criteria apply)Find out more and apply on the University of Edinburgh Degree Finder MSc by Research in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Tailored to your area of interest, this masters programme comprises two written assignments (each approximately 6,000 words) and a 15,000 word dissertation. You’ll also take courses in Research Skills and Methods, and Research Problems and Methods in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies.Full-time, one year (all students) ꟾ part-time, two years (eligibility criteria apply)There's lots more information about our Masters by Research (MScR) and what to do in advance of applying, on our website. You are strongly advised to read this information and follow our guidelines before making a formal application on the University of Edinburgh Degree Finder. Take me to more information about the MScR and guidelines on what to do in adva… PhD in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Designed to support you make a definite and original contribution to the field of knowledge in IMES, our PhD programme will enable you to pursue independent research under the supervision of one or more of our expert staff, with optional training in research skills and methods. We offer supervision in a wide range of specialist and interdisciplinary areas, from diaspora studies, and Islamic history, to the Persian, Arabic and Turkish languages, and the politics of the modern Middle East.Full-time, three years (all students) ꟾ part-time, six years (eligibility criteria apply)There's lots more information about our PhD, and what to do in advance of applying, on our website. You are strongly advised to read this information and follow our guidelines before making a formal application on the University of Edinburgh Degree Finder. Take me to more information about the PhD and guidelines on what to do in advan… Browse our directory of IMES PhD graduates and their theses Entrance requirements, fees, funding and more... You can find out about entrance requirements, start dates, fees and scholarship opportunities for all these postgraduate programmes on the University of Edinburgh’s Degree Finder. Degree Finder links straight through to EUCLID, the online system for applying to postgraduate programmes at the University. Selected PhD programmes are available for January 2026 entry. See Degree Finder for details.Applications to start a programme in September 2026 will open in October 2025. Find out more and apply on the University of Edinburgh Degree finder If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Email us about taught postgraduate study Email us about MSc by Research or PhD programmes Not sure which programme is right for you?We're happy to help you decide between taught and research-led masters programmes. Email us about postgraduate study in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Research Excellence Framework 2021 In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), our research was submitted in the categories of:Modern Languages and LinguisticsPoliticsSociologyHistoryTheology The results reaffirm Edinburgh’s position as one of the UK’s leading research universities - third in the UK based on the quality and breadth of its research in Modern Languages and Linguistics alone, according to Times Higher Education's REF power ratings.The Research Excellence Framework is the UK’s system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.Our REF performance recognises that our excellent work has a direct impact both nationally and internationally in politics, business and the third sector. Read more about our performance in REF 2021 QS World Rankings by Subject 2025 The University of Edinburgh is ranked 3rd in the UK and 10th in the world for the Arts & Humanities.The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings are based on research citations and the results of major global surveys of employers and academics.They are International Ranking Expert Group (IREG) approved. Are you currently studying with us?There’s lots more information for taught and postgraduate research students on our LLC Student Hub. You will need your student log in to access the site. Take me to the LLC Student Hub Where to next?Take me to all postgraduate study options in the School of Literatures, Languages and CulturesTake me to funding opportunities for postgraduate study in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures This article was published on 2024-08-13
