Middle Eastern Studies
Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Yemen – conflicts and power struggles in the Middle East are daily news.
Do you want to deepen your expertise on the region and its conflicts and meet the important societal demand for knowledge and insights in the Middle East? Then join our Master's programme Middle Eastern Studies in Groningen.
The Middle East remains one of the most dynamic and consequential regions in the world. From the war in Gaza and ongoing conflicts in Syria and Yemen, to political upheavals in Lebanon, Iran, and Tunisia, and shifting alliances involving Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Israel — the region is at the heart of today's global challenges. Studying the Middle East means engaging with critical questions about power, identity, religion, resources, and resilience. Our MA program offers students the tools to understand these complexities through history, politics, and culture, preparing them for impactful careers in policy, journalism, diplomacy, cultural organisations, academia and beyond.
The one-year Master's programme in Groningen focuses on contemporary developments in the Middle East, with particular emphasis on the theme of conflicts and coexistence. The programme is interdisciplinary and research-driven, using insights from fields such as International Relations, Religious Studies and Anthropology to help you to understand this highly dynamic and fascinating region. The MA Middle Eastern studies alumni are successful in many professional fields.
If you have a Bachelor's degree in Middle Eastern Studies, the Master's programme enables you to specialize in the theme of conflicts and coexistence and to increase your familiarity with important theoretical and methodological approaches to the region. If you have a Bachelor's degree in another (related) discipline, the Master's programme facilitates you to familiarise yourself with the Middle East and apply your expertise to this region, which is of fundamental in today's world.
The programme offers core modules on contemporary developments in the Middle East, conflicts in the region, the role of international organizations, how to understand minorities, sectarianism and the multifaceted links between religion and politics. You will explore cases such as Syria, Israel-Palestine, Iraq and Iran. The programme also offers ample space to pursue your own interests and develop your own expertise, for example through papers for different audiences, tutorials and internships, for example, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, embassies or think tanks, media agencies and societal organisations working on issues such as migration, refugees, terrorism and security.
Additional requirements English: A VWO diploma or a subject certificate for VWO English (mark 6 or higher), minimum requirement of TOEFL iBT 90 (with a minimum of 21 on all items), or IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6 on all items) or Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency.
Students with an international diploma can be admitted after permission by the Admission Board of the programme. The Admission Board will assess whether the programme and level of the obtained Bachelor's degree provide sufficient background for succesfully participation in the Master's programme.
- Reference letter: Names and contact of two referees;
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Motivation letter
- A sample of academic writing in English: i.e. your thesis or 10-15 pages of other academic coursework preferably related to the programme you are applying to.
Job prospects
There is a huge demand for expertise on the Middle East, for example in relation to foreign policy, refugees and terrorism and security. Our alumni work both in the Middle East and Europe. Relatively many students find a job in politics and diplomacy, for example at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or an embassy or consulate. Quite a number of alumni have acquired a job in local authorities or NGO's in the development and refugee sector.
Others work in media, the security and counter-terrorism field or the cultural sector. The huge consequences of conflicts in the Middle East, both in the region itself as well as in the West provide ample opportunities to acquire Middle-East-related jobs and positions.
Job examples
- Policy adviser at the Middle Eastern department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Embassy Employee in Turkey, Jordan, Israel or The Hague
- Employee at an NGO in the Development Sector
- Security analyst at the Police or the NCTV
- COA employee working with asylum seekers
- Middle East reporter for newspaper, radio or TV
