find your perfect postgrad program
Search our Database of 30,000 Courses
The University of Edinburgh: Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies (IMES)
| Institution | The University of Edinburgh View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures |
| Web | https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying |
| Study type | Research |
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD
Summary
A PhD in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies (IMES) is an opportunity to expand upon your interests and expertise in a community that really values research, and to make a definite and original contribution to the field.
**Why Edinburgh**
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.
Our research resources and facilities are outstanding, and we have excellent links with a number of centres and networks, including the Alwaleed Centre and the Centre for Medieval & Renaissance Studies.
**Research excellence**
In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), our research was submitted in the categories of:
- Modern Languages
- Politics
- Sociology
- History
- Theology
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 alone, according to Times Higher Education's REF power ratings.
**Research areas**
We are able to supervise research in a wide range of specialist and interdisciplinary areas.
Our expertise includes:
- Language and literature: classical and modern Arabic literature, classical and modern Persian literature, cultural transmission and translation between Arabic and Persian cultures
- History and historiography: pre-Islamic to modern Iran, early Islamic history, Ottoman history, Safavid history, modern history, in particular Iraq, Iran and Egypt; the Middle Eastern prison, the Middle Eastern press
- Religion: early and classical Islam, Qur’an and Qur’anic exegesis, Hadith, the biography of Muhammad, Sufism, Islam in the Ottoman Empire, contemporary religious authority, Shi'i Islam
- Contemporary Muslim politics: Islamism, sectarianism, social movements, comparative social and political change in the Muslim world
- Arts and cultures of the Middle East, and of Muslim societies: particularly visual arts, cinema
- Gender and sexuality in the Middle East and North Africa, contemporary Arab media
- Shi’i Islam: Shi’i history and contemporary Shi’ism in local and transnationalist perspective
- Islam and Muslims in Europe
- Diasporas and ethnic minorities of the Middle East
In addition, you have the opportunity to undertake interdisciplinary research in areas such as:
- comparative literature
- film studies
- translation studies
**Go beyond the books**
Beyond the Books is a podcast from the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at research and the people who make it happen.
Listen to a mix of PhD, early career and established researchers talk about their journey to and through academia and about their current and recent research. Guests include Bahar Fayeghi (Series 2 - Episode 5), a PhD student in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies who is researching the experience of Afghan women refugees in Iran.
| Level | SCQF Level 12 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on our website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements. |
| Location | Central area campus George Square Edinburgh EH8 9JZ |
Summary
A PhD in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies (IMES) is an opportunity to expand upon your interests and expertise in a community that really values research, and to make a definite and original contribution to the field.
**Why Edinburgh**
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.
Our research resources and facilities are outstanding, and we have excellent links with a number of centres and networks, including the Alwaleed Centre and the Centre for Medieval & Renaissance Studies.
**Research excellence**
In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), our research was submitted in the categories of:
- Modern Languages
- Politics
- Sociology
- History
- Theology
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 alone, according to Times Higher Education's REF power ratings.
**Research areas**
We are able to supervise research in a wide range of specialist and interdisciplinary areas.
Our expertise includes:
- Language and literature: classical and modern Arabic literature, classical and modern Persian literature, cultural transmission and translation between Arabic and Persian cultures
- History and historiography: pre-Islamic to modern Iran, early Islamic history, Ottoman history, Safavid history, modern history, in particular Iraq, Iran and Egypt; the Middle Eastern prison, the Middle Eastern press
- Religion: early and classical Islam, Qur’an and Qur’anic exegesis, Hadith, the biography of Muhammad, Sufism, Islam in the Ottoman Empire, contemporary religious authority, Shi'i Islam
- Contemporary Muslim politics: Islamism, sectarianism, social movements, comparative social and political change in the Muslim world
- Arts and cultures of the Middle East, and of Muslim societies: particularly visual arts, cinema
- Gender and sexuality in the Middle East and North Africa, contemporary Arab media
- Shi’i Islam: Shi’i history and contemporary Shi’ism in local and transnationalist perspective
- Islam and Muslims in Europe
- Diasporas and ethnic minorities of the Middle East
In addition, you have the opportunity to undertake interdisciplinary research in areas such as:
- comparative literature
- film studies
- translation studies
**Go beyond the books**
Beyond the Books is a podcast from the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at research and the people who make it happen.
Listen to a mix of PhD, early career and established researchers talk about their journey to and through academia and about their current and recent research. Guests include Bahar Fayeghi (Series 2 - Episode 5), a PhD student in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies who is researching the experience of Afghan women refugees in Iran.
| Level | SCQF Level 12 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on our website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements. |
| Location | Central area campus George Square Edinburgh EH8 9JZ |
MSc (Res)
Summary
This programme builds on your knowledge in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies or related fields and aims to develop and enhance your research skills and your skills in academic writing.
It is ideal if you have a clear idea of the independent research you wish to undertake at masters level.
You are not required to have any prior competence in a Middle Eastern language, but you will have the opportunity to take courses in Arabic, Persian or Turkish.
**Why Edinburgh**
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.
Our research resources and facilities are outstanding, and we have excellent links with a number of centres and networks, including the Alwaleed Centre and the Centre for Medieval & Renaissance Studies.
**Research excellence**
In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), our research was submitted in the categories of:
- Modern Languages
- Politics
- Sociology
- History
- Theology
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 alone, according to Times Higher Education's REF power ratings.
**Research areas**
We are able to supervise research in a wide range of specialist and interdisciplinary areas.
Our expertise includes:
- Language and literature: classical and modern Arabic literature, classical and modern Persian literature, cultural transmission and translation between Arabic and Persian cultures
- History and historiography: pre-Islamic to modern Iran, early Islamic history, Ottoman history, Safavid history, modern history, in particular Iraq, Iran and Egypt; the Middle Eastern prison, the Middle Eastern press
- Religion: early and classical Islam, Qur’an and Qur’anic exegesis, Hadith, the biography of Muhammad, Sufism, Islam in the Ottoman Empire, contemporary religious authority, Shi'i Islam
- Contemporary Muslim politics: Islamism, sectarianism, social movements, comparative social and political change in the Muslim world
- Arts and cultures of the Middle East, and of Muslim societies: particularly visual arts, cinema
- Gender and sexuality in the Middle East and North Africa, contemporary Arab media
- Shi’i Islam: Shi’i history and contemporary Shi’ism in local and transnationalist perspective
- Islam and Muslims in Europe
- Diasporas and ethnic minorities of the Middle East
**Go beyond the books**
Beyond the Books is a podcast from the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at research and the people who make it happen. Listen to a mix of PhD, early career and established researchers talk about their journey to and through academia and about their current and recent research. Guests include Bahar Fayeghi (Series 2 - Episode 5), a PhD student in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies who is researching the experience of Afghan women refugees in Iran.
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on our website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements. |
| Location | Central area campus George Square Edinburgh EH8 9JZ |
Summary
This programme builds on your knowledge in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies or related fields and aims to develop and enhance your research skills and your skills in academic writing.
It is ideal if you have a clear idea of the independent research you wish to undertake at masters level.
You are not required to have any prior competence in a Middle Eastern language, but you will have the opportunity to take courses in Arabic, Persian or Turkish.
**Why Edinburgh**
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.
Our research resources and facilities are outstanding, and we have excellent links with a number of centres and networks, including the Alwaleed Centre and the Centre for Medieval & Renaissance Studies.
**Research excellence**
In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), our research was submitted in the categories of:
- Modern Languages
- Politics
- Sociology
- History
- Theology
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 alone, according to Times Higher Education's REF power ratings.
**Research areas**
We are able to supervise research in a wide range of specialist and interdisciplinary areas.
Our expertise includes:
- Language and literature: classical and modern Arabic literature, classical and modern Persian literature, cultural transmission and translation between Arabic and Persian cultures
- History and historiography: pre-Islamic to modern Iran, early Islamic history, Ottoman history, Safavid history, modern history, in particular Iraq, Iran and Egypt; the Middle Eastern prison, the Middle Eastern press
- Religion: early and classical Islam, Qur’an and Qur’anic exegesis, Hadith, the biography of Muhammad, Sufism, Islam in the Ottoman Empire, contemporary religious authority, Shi'i Islam
- Contemporary Muslim politics: Islamism, sectarianism, social movements, comparative social and political change in the Muslim world
- Arts and cultures of the Middle East, and of Muslim societies: particularly visual arts, cinema
- Gender and sexuality in the Middle East and North Africa, contemporary Arab media
- Shi’i Islam: Shi’i history and contemporary Shi’ism in local and transnationalist perspective
- Islam and Muslims in Europe
- Diasporas and ethnic minorities of the Middle East
**Go beyond the books**
Beyond the Books is a podcast from the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at research and the people who make it happen. Listen to a mix of PhD, early career and established researchers talk about their journey to and through academia and about their current and recent research. Guests include Bahar Fayeghi (Series 2 - Episode 5), a PhD student in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies who is researching the experience of Afghan women refugees in Iran.
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on our website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements. |
| Location | Central area campus George Square Edinburgh EH8 9JZ |
Edinburgh. Extraordinary futures await.
The University of Edinburgh is one of the world's top universities, consistently ranked in the world top 50, and placed 27th in the 2025 QS World University Rankings.
Our position as one of Britain’s leading research universities was reaffirmed by the results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF). The University of Edinburgh is one of the world’s top research-intensive universities, ranked 4th in the UK for research power (Times Higher Education, Overall Ranking of Institutions), with 90% of our research activity classified as world leading or internationally excellent in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
Our …
Not what you are looking for?
Browse other courses in Area studies, Middle Eastern studies, Humanities, Cultural studies or Islamic studies, or search our comprehensive database of postgrad programs.Postgraduate Bursary Opportunity with Postgrad.com
Are you studying as a PG student at the moment or have you recently been accepted on a postgraduate program? Apply now for one of our £2000 PGS bursaries.
Click here
