Wars in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, revolts in Egypt, Lebanon and Tunisia, power struggles in Turkey, Saudi-Arabia and Israel – conflicts 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 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.
Read more about the department of Middle Eastern Studies.
'After I had finished my BA in Art History, I wanted to focus more on current issues. I chose Middle Eastern Studies, the most topical degree programme there is. News items are discussed and extensively analysed in class the very same day they appear. A major plus about the programme was that it taught us a variety of different ways to delve deeper into a subject. For example, I wrote papers and gave presentations, but I also organized a study day on Iran together with my fellow students.
What I also liked a lot was that the programme included the
option to go on a placement. I followed my placement at the
Koninklijke Militaire School Luchtmacht, the Royal Netherlands Air
Force school at Woensdrecht air base, where I taught classes on all
kinds of topics, from Dutch politics to Dutch mission areas in the
Middle East. I also gave several lectures on the United Nations and
thereby contributed to the Missiegerichte Opleiding Mali, the
training programme for military personnel about to go on a mission
to Mali.
Right now I am busy applying for jobs and have already noticed that
this Master’s degree programme prepares you for a wide range
of jobs. So besides imparting a lot of knowledge about current
issues in the Middle East, it also ensure great prospects for the
future!’