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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 | http://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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
**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.
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.
**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 Persian literature, cultural transmission and translation between Arabic and Persian cultures
* History and historiography: pre-Islamic Iran, early Islamic history, Ottoman 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
* 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’ism: 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
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
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.
**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.
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.
**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 Persian literature, cultural transmission and translation between Arabic and Persian cultures
* History and historiography: pre-Islamic Iran, early Islamic history, Ottoman 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
* 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’ism: 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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
**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.
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.
**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 Persian literature, cultural transmission and translation between Arabic and Persian cultures
* History and historiography: pre-Islamic Iran, early Islamic history, Ottoman 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
* 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’ism: 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
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.
**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.
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.
**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 Persian literature, cultural transmission and translation between Arabic and Persian cultures
* History and historiography: pre-Islamic Iran, early Islamic history, Ottoman 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
* 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’ism: 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
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 |

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