Are you interested in politics, history, culture, and religion—and eager to deepen your understanding of one of the world's most fascinating, dynamic, and globally significant regions? If so, Middle Eastern Studies may be the programme for you.
Gaza, Syria, and Iran; wars, dictatorships, and
revolutions—but also immense cultural diversity, vibrant film
and music scenes, a rich history, and innovative intellectual
traditions. The Middle East is a complex and highly topical region,
frequently in the news yet often presented in a one-dimensional
way. At the same time, the Middle East is deeply interconnected
with the rest of the world and of major importance to Europe and
the Netherlands, whether in terms of politics, conflict and
security, or migration, trade, and culture.
As a result, there is strong demand for professionals who possess
in-depth regional knowledge, speak the language, and are able to
interpret contemporary developments. In the Middle Eastern Studies
programme at the University of Groningen, you are trained to become
exactly such an expert.
The programme offers a broad and diverse curriculum with a strong
focus on contemporary developments in the Middle East and North
Africa, particularly in relation to Europe and the Netherlands. You
will study four core themes:
- Politics: gaining insight into issues such as
colonialism, state formation, authoritarianism, and conflict;
- History: exploring how countries such as Egypt,
Saudi Arabia, Israel, Palestine, Turkey, Iraq, and Iran have
evolved from 1900 to the present;
- Culture: examining art, literature, film, and
everyday life in the region;
- Religion: analyzing the role of Islam, Judaism,
and other religious traditions in the modern Middle East.
Together, these themes provide you with a solid understanding of
current developments in the region and help you engage with issues
that are highly relevant to Europe and the Netherlands, including
migration, international relations, and debates on identity and
diversity.
An integral part of the programme is learning one of the world's
most widely spoken languages: Modern Standard Arabic. You will
study Arabic in Groningen as well as in the region itself. In your
second year, you spend a full semester in the Middle East, choosing
between the Netherlands-Flemish Institute in Cairo (Egypt) or the
Netherlands Institute in Rabat (Morocco). The programme facilitates
your stay, and no additional tuition fees are required.
Middle Eastern Studies provides you with a broad academic
foundation and equips you with the analytical skills of a critical
thinker. You will graduate with unique knowledge and competencies
that are highly relevant in today's globalised world, offering
excellent career prospects in fields such as diplomacy, journalism,
international organisations, business, and the cultural
sector.
- Sign
up now
for the Open Day
on Friday 30 January!
- For international
students only: Apply before 28 February and receive a
decision on your admission within one month. See www.rug.nl/earlybird for
more information.
In the first year, you are introduced to the programme's four core thematic pillars: politics, history, culture, and religion. You engage with contemporary political developments, study the modern history of the region, and explore Judaism, Islam, and the Middle East's wide religious and cultural diversity. In addition, you begin learning Modern Standard Arabic.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| History of the Modern Middle East (5 EC) This course offers a general overview of the history of the modern Middle East beginning in the early nineteenth century. | ||||
| Arabic Beginner (10 EC) Introduction to Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). The student learns to read and write the Arabic script and speaking and listening skills at the beginner level. | ||||
| Academic Debates Middle Eastern Studies (5 EC) Essential skills such as using academic literature, annotating, formulating a research question and structuring an argument will be introduced. | ||||
| Jews and Muslims: Traditions, Identities, and Religious Diversity in the Middle East (10 EC) Basic themes will be discussed, such as the development of Judaism, Jewish rituals, Jewish history in the Middle East, Zionism, and the modern State of Israel. | ||||
| Politics and International Relations in the Middle East (5 EC) This course offers an overview of the politics and international relations of the modern and contemporary Middle East. The sessions examine a range of topics, including protests and social movements, mobilities and migrations, threat and securitisation, and legitimacy and stigmatisation. | ||||
| Arabic Intermediate (10 EC) This course further builds on proficiency in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) as taught in Arabic Proficiency 1 and 2. The vocabulary is further expanded and applied together with the new linguistic insights in the practical skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. | ||||
| Elective: Global Changes 1 OR Cultural Heritage 2 (Faculty wide course) (10 EC) | ||||
| From Scholarship to Journalism: Writing in Middle Eastern Studies (5 EC) | ||||
In the second year, the different themes are explored in greater depth and brought into dialogue with one another. For example, in Islam, Politics, and Modernity you examine the relationship between religion and political developments, while Culture and Soft Power focuses on the interaction between politics and culture. In the second semester, you spend half a year in the Middle East, in either Egypt or Morocco.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Jews and Muslims: Empire, Colonialism, and Modernity in the Middle East (5 EC) This course focuses intercommunal relations in the modern Middle East with an emphasis on Muslim-Jewish relation in both historic and contemporary contexts. | ||||
| Arabic Advanced (10 EC) Language proficiency course as a preparation for the exchange programme in Cairo or Rabat. | ||||
| Culture and Soft Power in the MENA (10 EC) In this course, artistic and audio-visual representations of Middle Easter societies are used to explore cultures in the Middle East. Several audio-visual representations from and about the Middle East will be discussed and analyzed in order to gain insight into some of the central themes of Middle Eastern cultures and societies. | ||||
| Islam, Politics and Modernity in the Middle East (5 EC) The course analyses the connections that Islam has had with such phenomena as modernisation, globalisation, and conflict. | ||||
| Study abroad (30 EC) Semester in Cairo or Rabat. | ||||
In the first semester, you complete a minor: a coherent set of courses designed to broaden or deepen your academic profile. In the second semester, you take advanced courses focusing on conflict and on the relationship between the Middle East and Europe.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Elective: Global Changes 2 OR Cultural Heritage 1 (faculty wide course) (10 EC) Zelfstandig opzetten en uitvoeren van een wetenschappelijk verantwoord literatuur- en bronnenonderzoek over een duidelijk afgebakende vraag, met kritische analyse en reflectie. |
||||
| Minor (30 EC) | ||||
| From Cold Wars to Code Wars: Conflict in the Middle East (5 EC) Europa en het Midden-Oosten: Erfgoed en Wisselwerking. De wederzijdse invloeden tussen Europa en het Midden-Oosten analyseren via politiek, cultuur en religie vanaf eind 19e eeuw tot eind 20e eeuw. | ||||
| Bachelor's thesis (10 EC) Zelfstandig opzetten en uitvoeren van een wetenschappelijk verantwoord literatuur- en bronnenonderzoek over een duidelijk afgebakende vraag, met kritische analyse en reflectie. | ||||
| Europe in the Middle East, the Middle East in Europe (5 EC) This course will cover and contextualise the political, intellectual, demographic, religious, social and cultural consequences of the contacts between Europe and the Middle East from the late 19th c. to the late 20th c. | ||||
| Programme options |
|---|
| Minors (minor) The fifth semester of your studies is dedicated to your Minor: a coherent set of future-oriented course units. It prepares you for a follow-on Master's degree program or for entering the labour market. You can opt for a Career Minor, a Minor abroad, a University Minor or a Faculty Minor. |
| University of Groningen Honours College (honours program) The Honours College will give talented, motivated students the chance to be challenged even more by following Honours programmes and taking part in numerous other activities. The Honours College comprises a broadening part and a deepening part and has a study load of 30 ECTS credit points besides the 180 ECTS credit points from your regular Bachelor programme. |
Students are advised to spend half a year abroad with our exchange programme. It is only possible to deviate from this advice in exceptional cases.
Met het VWO examen Engels voldoe je aan de taaleis.
Met het VWO examen Engels voldoe je aan de taaleis.
Met het VWO examen Engels voldoe je aan de taaleis.
Met het VWO examen Engels voldoe je aan de taaleis.
Taaleis Engels: minimum TOEFL eis iBT 90 (met een minimum van 21 voor alle onderdelen), of IELTS 6.5 (met een minimum van 6 voor alle onderdelen) or Cambridge C1 Advanced of C2 Proficiency met een minimum score van 180. Klik op de link voor meer informatie: https://www.rug.nl/let/studeren-bij-ons/bachelor/aanmelding-en-inschrijving/language-requirements-ba
The degree programme will organize a matching procedure. Attendance is optional. The advice is not binding.
Wil je in september beginnen met een bacheloropleiding aan de Rijksuniversiteit Groningen? Meld je dan uiterlijk op 1 mei aan in Studielink. De opleiding geeft je de mogelijkheid om gebruik te maken van een matchingsactiviteit, om te zien of jij en de studie bij elkaar passen. Welke matchingsactiviteiten er precies zijn, verschilt per faculteit.
Heb je vragen over matching? Kijk dan op www.rug.nl/matching
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 |
The Faculty of Arts believes students can decide for themselves whether they match with their chosen program based on the available bachelor program information, by visiting the Open Days, and by participating in a Webclass and/ or Student for a Day. If you are unable to attend one of these activities, a final opportunity for matching is to contact one of the students of the program in June.
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
A Dutch VWO diploma, a German Abitur, an International Baccalaureate diploma, a European Baccalaureate or another diploma that is sufficient for acceptance to a Dutch university. For other VWO-equivalent qualifications, see: https://www.rug.nl/vwo-equivalent-qualifications. Students with a Dutch 'hbo propedeuse' diploma also need to meet the language requirements mentioned below. |
| language test |
International students will have to satisfy an additional Dutch language requirement, which can be met by passing the State Examination in Dutch as a Second Language (NT2, programme II). This examination guarantees Dutch proficiency at CEFR level B2. However, Dutch proficiency at CEFR level C1 or higher is recommended. |
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 |
After completing the Bachelor's programme, most students go on to pursue a Master's degree. Following the Bachelor in Middle Eastern Studies, you can choose from a wide range of graduate programmes, including:
In some cases, you may be required to complete a specific minor in your third year; always consult the admission requirements of the relevant Master's programme.
As a broadly trained expert on the Middle East, you are well prepared for the labour market. Given the region's importance for Europe and the Netherlands, there is strong demand for your expertise, particularly in areas related to foreign policy, refugee reception, security, and the cultural sector.
Our alumni work both in the Middle East and in Europe. A significant number find positions in politics and diplomacy, for example at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or at embassies. Graduates also regularly work for organizations involved in refugee support, integration, security, and counter-terrorism. In addition, careers in journalism, museums, the private sector, or academia are common. The broad academic foundation provided by Middle Eastern Studies offers you many options for further study and professional careers.
(Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense)
(TV, radio, newspapers)
(Embassies in the Netherlands and the Middle East)
(Refugee support, integration, NGOs in the Netherlands or the region)
(Ministries, intelligence and security services, police)
(Museums, exhibitions, publishing, tourism)
(e.g. Shell, AkzoNobel)
(researcher, PhD candidate)
All staff members are experts in their respective fields. They conduct research that complements the profile of the degree programme well, for example in the field of jihadism, political Islam, cultural heritage, minorities, journalism and Arabic literature. This means that some of your classes will be directly based on the research currently conducted at the Faculty of Arts.
Lees meer over Alana en waarom zij koos voor Midden-Oostenstudies in Groningen!
Marhaban! Mijn naam is Sara, ik ben 24 jaar en kom uit Brabant. Momenteel zit ik in het derde jaar van de bachelor Midden-Oostenstudies. Naast mijn studie werk ik ook zo nu en dan als student-assistent bij de verschillende vakken van onze opleiding.
Bij het volgen van de bachelor Midden-Oostenstudies komen alle onderwerpen die te maken hebben met deze regio samen, van cultuur tot religie en politiek tot geschiedenis. Enerzijds oefent het Midden-Oosten een wereldwijde invloed uit, en anderzijds bemoeit de hele wereld zich met de ontwikkelingen binnen de regio. Bij de studie leer je hierop te reflecteren en ontwikkel je een kritische houding naar beeldvorming en stereotypen.
Het leren van een taal, Arabisch, vormt daarbij een goede
aanvulling binnen het programma.
Alle kennis uit de eerste paar jaar neem je mee tijdens het
buitenlandsemester. Dit is hét moment om het Midden-Oosten
echt te ervaren. Ik vertrok naar Caïro, waar ik veel nieuwe
inzichten heb gekregen en me bewuster ben geworden van waar mijn
interesses liggen. Daarnaast vormde dit semester de uitgelezen kans
om mijn Arabisch te verbeteren en toe te passen in het dagelijks
leven. Ik heb me op persoonlijk en professioneel niveau ontwikkeld
en zal mijn ervaringen dan ook altijd meenemen in de toekomst, wie
weet zal dit een toekomst zijn in het Midden-Oosten!
Ahlan! Mijn naam is Aron, ik ben 20 jaar oud en ben momenteel bezig met het afronden van de BA Midden-Oosten Studies.
Een bijzonder aspect aan deze opleiding is de combinatie van intensief taalonderwijs met vakken die onder meer de geschiedenis en politiek van de regio behandelen. Hoewel ik talen altijd al fascinerend heb gevonden, kwam dit in een stroomversnelling nadat ik dankzij de studie met Arabisch begon. Vanwege de combinatie met de historische bronnen uit andere vakken bestaat er een directe motivatie om de talen zo snel en zo goed mogelijk onder de knie te krijgen.
Binnen de opleiding Midden-Oosten Studies zijn er veel mogelijkheden om je eigen plekje te vinden, zowel op thematisch als geografisch vlak. Ondanks mijn initiële interesse in internationale politiek heb ik tijdens de studie langzamerhand een passie ontwikkeld voor historische ontwikkelingen rondom minderheden in de Maghreb-regio, waar ik uiteindelijk ook mijn scriptie over heb geschreven.
Are you a pre-university pupil and would you like to find out what studying at university is all about? The Middle Eastern Studies degree programme offers a web class! A web class is a course offered by the UG via Brightspace (a digital teaching environment) for pupils in the 5th and 6th years of pre-university education. The course involves ten study hours, which serve as an introduction to Middle Eastern Studies. You read texts, do assignments, and hold discussions with other prospective students and a lecturer.
Interested? Sign up for the web class.
