A Middle East and African Studies degree at a UK university offers international students the opportunity to study the cultures, ideology, history, and politics of one of the most vitally important geopolitical regions in the world.
- Related subjects: Politics | International Relations
Available at undergraduate and postgraduate level, Middle Eastern and African Studies graduates will go on to work across a variety of sectors, including business, charity and governmental. At the end of your course, you will be able to think critically in a different way, have a deeper understanding of other cultures and have impeccable research skills.
Learn more about the top five UK universities for Middle Eastern and African Studies below (Times Good University Guide 2022) and, if you are interested in beginning your application to study in the UK, arrange a free consultation with SI-UK London today.
Top Five UK Universities for Middle Eastern & African Studies
1. University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews provides a variety of programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate level, as well as an International Foundation programme in Social Sciences and Humanities.
St Andrews is currently the number one ranked university in the UK and is located on the east coast of Scotland, a popular study destination for international students.
- Course to consider: Middle Eastern History (MLitt)
2. University of Cambridge
The Asian and Middle Eastern Studies BA (Hons) degree at the University of Cambridge offers a flexible approach to its degree structure, allowing you to explore what interests you best. Students will spend their 3rd year abroad and be expected to speak confidently in their chosen language, including Chinese, Arabic or Persian, by the end of year four.
Cambridge regularly ranks as one of the top five universities in the world, and graduates from the University are amongst those targeted by Britain’s leading postgraduate employers (The Graduate Market in 2021).
- Course to consider: Asian and Middle Eastern Studies BA (Hons)
3. Durham University
The Durham University International Relations (Middle East) programme is a one-year MA which aims to help students evaluate concepts, theories and paradigms within the broad field of international relations. Optional modules include Global Political Theory, Ideologies and Political Thought and Contemporary Political Philosophy.
Durham University is made up of 17 colleges, each with its own character and traditions, and 27 departments currently over over 200 undergraduate programmes for international students.
- Course to consider: International Relations (Middle East)
4. University of Birmingham
Focussing on the study of human societies and social sciences within the African continent, the BA Anthropology and African Studies at the University of Birmingham will help students "search for, select from and evaluate sources of information, weigh up arguments, and present your findings effectively."
The University of Birmingham is part of the prestigious Russell Group of UK universities and counts 10 Nobel Laureates amongst current staff and alumni.
- Courses to consider: BA Anthropology and African Studies
5. University of Exeter
The Arab and Islamic department at the University of Exeter offers unprecedented support for studying abroad, providing work placements overseas to support your career development. As one of the most renowned centres for research and teaching in the Arab and Muslim world, the BA Middle East Studies programme will help you develop "an appreciation and understanding of the culture, history and language of the Middle East".
The University of Exeter is in the top 15 in all three major UK ranking tables and 89% of graduates are in or due to start employment or further study fifteen months after graduation (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2018/19).
- Courses to consider: BA Middle East Studies
Study a Middle East or African Degree in the UK
Begin your UK university application by arranging a free consultation with SI-UK London today. Our UK university application experts will ensure your application is ready and submitted without error.