Programme details

Postgraduate Taught Programme: The Middle East In A Global Context (Online)

Why should I choose this degree?

This programme is designed for students who hold a degree in any discipline and are interested in studying the region of the Middle East, its histories, cultures, politics and language.

It provides a foundation in the methods and disciplines relevant to the study of the Middle East. It provides intensive training in several fields of knowledge through a combination of online lectures, seminars, tutorials and essay writing, allowing you to develop research and writing skills with training in theoretical and methodological approaches. You also complete a research project (dissertation) on a subject chosen by you in consultation with your supervisor.

Programme structure

The programme can be accessed via three different entry routes, each of which offers distinct advantages. Subject to satisfactory progress, it is possible to transition from the Certificate to the Diploma and then to the MPhil, which effectively spreads the MPhil as a part-time degree.

On the Postgraduate Certificate (total: 30 credits), students complete three core modules (M1-M3) to develop a basic understanding of and fluency with the methods and contexts of the field of Middle Eastern Studies.
On the Postgraduate Diploma (total: 60 credits), students four core modules (M1-M4) plus 2 optional modules, gaining a thorough grounding in both the theory and the practice underpinning current research in Middle Eastern studies.
On the MPhil (total: 90 credits), students complete four core modules (M1-M4) plus 2 optional modules, and build on the knowledge and skills gained through the modules by applying them to the research project (which is worth 30 credits).

Dissertation

The research project (dissertation) is a substantial body of academic work of between 12,000 and 15,000 words. It offers students the opportunity to explore a subject of their choosing in some detail under the supervision of a subject specialist. Given the size and importance of the research project, it is strongly advised that students devote plenty of time to planning and producing the research project from an early stage in the programme.

You should start working on the research project early and work steadily on it throughout the Hilary Term – don't de-prioritise it vis-à-vis other work during the Hilary Term because it has a later deadline. This will enable you to make the best use of the supervisions.

Supervision

Each research project is supervised by at least one member of academic staff.

The selection of a supervisor is the responsibility of the student involved. Prospective supervisors need to be approached as soon as you have a general idea of your dissertation area/topic, but no later than by the end of Michaelmas Term. Once a supervisor or supervisory team has been decided, the student and supervisor(s) fill out a Dissertation Supervision Form, and the student submits it to the School's Postgraduate Office by the end of January.

It may also be possible to have supervisor or co-supervisor in another Department or School. If you have this in mind, speak to the Programme Director in the first instance. A student may ask to split their supervision between two supervisors.

Whether there is one or multiple supervisors, the total number of 1:1 supervisory hours per research project is six over the course of the year. How these six hours are divided between supervisors is to be arranged by mutual consent.

Many students find it more beneficial to have twelve half-hour sessions, since this will allow for a brief, focused discussion at regular intervals, and helps steady progress. Supervision ends at the end of the statutory term, several months before the deadline for the research project.

Research Involving Human Subjects

If your research involves human participants, advance permission should be obtained for this research from the appropriate College Ethics Committee. Consult the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies Research Ethics webpage for further details.