Entry requirements
Selected entry requirements English language: Candidates must be proficient in the English language, which is the language of instruction and examination at the university. Acceptable English Language qualifications include IELTS 6.5, CPE grade C, CAE Grade B or another equivalent A level: BBB preferably to include History and a Modern Foreign Language AS level: Two AS-Levels may be accepted in place of the third A-Level. Unit grade information: The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit grade information which, like all other available information, will inform the consideration of applications. Unit grades will not normally form part of offer conditions, except for Mathematics programmes. GCSE: Minimum grade C in English Language. Key Skills qualification: The University warmly welcomes applications from students studying the Key Skills qualification. However, as the opportunities to take these modules are not open to all applicants, currently this is not an essential requirement of the University. International baccalaureate: 32 points overall preferably to include History and a modern foreign language at grade 6 higher level. Additional entry requirements Additional entry requirements exist for this course. You may view these by selecting from the list below.
Course description
Course description
BA (Hons) Modern Middle Eastern History & Arabic allows you to gain an in-depth understanding of the recent history of a large region that is of central importance in the contemporary world.
You will study the intellectual and political forces, and the internal conflicts which have transformed the Middle East in modern times. In terms of International Relations history, the course also covers the complex and dynamic interactions between the peoples and states of the Middle East and the wider international community.
Furthermore, BA (Hons) Modern Middle Eastern History & Arabic allows you to achieve near-native proficiency in modern Arabic and to study the language within its cultural and historical context. Students start the language as absolute beginners and go through to an advanced level over four years.
Special features
This course is unique amongst British universities because it places the recent past of the modern Middle East in the broader context of the international history of the late 19 th and 20 th centuries, while at the same time allowing students to gain highly advanced competence in one of the key languages of the region.
Native speakers of Arabic will be involved in your language teaching at all levels.
Your study is supported by the multi-media facilities of the Language Centre.
Multi-cultural Manchester, with its various communities of Arabic-speakers, provides excellent general opportunities for personal contact and the pursuit of Middle Eastern cultural interests outside the University
The year of Study Abroad offers you the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the way of life in the Arab world. On top of greatly improving your level of written and spoken formal Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), you will have the chance to gain skills in colloquial Egyptian. Students on BA (Hons) Modern Middle Eastern History & Arabic are eligible for financial support from the University of Manchester towards the cost of tuition fees in Arab countries.
The final-year dissertation in Modern Middle Eastern History allows students to bring to bear their acquired historical knowledge and skills in writing a substantial, independently-researched piece of their own choice with a sustained focus, based at least partly on original historical sources rather than being a mere synthesis of secondary literature. This gives you the opportunity to apply and demonstrate the transferable skills you have acquired in research, analysis and advanced writing skills, which is attractive to future employers.
Personal tutors based in the department of Middle Eastern Studies will help you in planning and reflecting upon your progress.
Course content for year 1
First year study will provide an introduction to the study of Modern Middle Eastern History and intensive Arabic learning. There are also courses introducing Islam and the Mediaeval history of the Middle East. The year also features a core course on the contemporary Middle East and fosters the development of study and IT skills.
Course content for year 2
In the second year, you will take in-depth courses on the modern history of the Middle East that focus on the region's place in international relations. At the same time, you continue intensive Arabic learning at medium advanced level, including reading authentic texts in Arabic.
Course content for year 3
Your third year of study is spent abroad under approved conditions.
Career opportunities
There are numerous possibilities for graduates of the department of Middle Eastern Studies. The general and academic skills acquired in the course units are welcomed by a broad spectrum of employers including the Civil Service, the British Council, non-governmental organisations, international organisations (for example the UN and the EU), business and commerce, banking, law, print and broadcast journalism, tourism management and teaching. Some of our graduates are academics and researchers in various fields, having completed postgraduate studies in areas such as History, Middle Eastern Studies, Development Studies, International Relations, Linguistics or European Studies. BA (Hons) Modern Middle Eastern History & Arabic is also an excellent foundation for living and working in the countries of the Middle East.
