Master of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies (Advanced)

at Australian National University

Program Structure

The Master of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies (Advanced) requires the completion of 96 units, which must consist of:

A maximum of 18 units from completion of the following Introductory Language Courses:

Arabic

• ARAB1002 Introductory Arabic 1

• ARAB1003 Introductory Arabic 2

• ARAB2011 Intermediate Arabic 1

• ARAB2012 Intermediate Arabic 2

• ARAB3001 Advanced Arabic 1

• ARAB3002 Advanced Arabic 2

• ARAB3010 Applied Arabic

Persian

• PERS1001 Introductory Persian A

• PERS1002 Introductory Persian B

• PERS2003 Intermediate Persian A

• PERS2004 Intermediate Persian B

• PERS3005 Advanced Persian A

• PERS3006 Advanced Persian B

Turkish

• TURK1001 Elementary Turkish A

• TURK1002 Elementary Turkish B

• TURK2001 Intermediate Turkish A

• TURK2002 Intermediate Turkish B

A minimum of 6 units from completion of the following Introductory Disciplinary Courses:

• MEAS6003 Critical Perspectives on Arabic Culture

• MEAS6004 Iran in World Politics

• MEAS6005 Modern Iraq: State, Politics and Society 

• MEAS6006 Turkish History: Ottoman State to Modern Turkey

• MEAS6007 Syria in the Levant: State, Society, and the Current Turmoil

• MEAS6008 Egypt: Social and Political Dynamics in a Changing Middle East

12 units from completion of the following compulsory Research Training course:

• MEAS8001 Critical Approaches and Methods in the Study of the Middle East and Central Asia

A minimum of 12 units from completion of Research Project courses from the following list:

• MEAS8113 The Gulf Strategic Environment

• MEAS8114 Geopolitics of Central Asia

• MEAS8109 Energy and Security in Central Asia and the Caucasus

• MEAS8115 Islam in World Politics

A minimum of 18 units from completion of Advanced Disciplinary Courses from the following list:

• MEAS8102 Islamic Radicalism

• MEAS8105 Special Topic in Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies 

• MEAS8108 Issues of Development in the Middle East

• MEAS8111 Islam, the West and International Terrorism

• MEAS8112 Dynamics of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

• MEAS8116 Authoritarianism, Democratisation and Protest in the Muslim Middle East

• MEAS8117 Islam in Central Asia

• MEAS8121 Approaches to the Study of Modern Muslim Societies

• MEAS8124 Islamic Banking: Debates and Development

• MEAS8127 'Sectarianism' in the Middle East: Theology, Politics and Identity

A maximum of 6 units of experiential courses from the following list:

• ANIP6503 Australian National Internships Program A

• HUMN8027 Critical Issues in Heritage and Museum Studies

• MGMT7165 Innovation

• MUSC8012 Understanding Learning in Museums and Heritage

• VCPG6001 Unravelling Complexity

• VCPG6003 Leadership and Influence in a Complex World

• VCPG6004 Creating Impact

24 units from completion of THES8103 Thesis

Students must have the written agreement of an identified supervisor in order to enrol in THES8103 Thesis in a specified semester one calendar year in advance of the start date of that semester.

Students who do not have the written agreement of an identified supervisor one calendar year in advance, or whose agreed supervisor either subsequently leaves the university or is on leave from the university, will be transferred to the Master of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies.

Unless otherwise stated, a course used to satisfy the requirements of one list may not be double counted towards satisfying the requirements of another list.

Master Research

This degree has been accredited at AQF Level 9 with a significant component of Research. 

Master Research Training

This degree has been accredited at AQF Level 9 with a significant component of Research. The degree includes a compulsory 12 unit course dedicated entirely to research training.

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry. 

• A cognate Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 6/7, and the approval of an identified supervisor for the research project/thesis. OR

• A Bachelor degree or international equivalent AND a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in a cognate discipline with a minimum GPA of 5/7, and the approval of an identified supervisor for the research project/thesis. OR

• A Bachelor degree or international equivalent with GPA 5/7 AND a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program and the approval of an identified supervisor for the research project/thesis.

Academic achievement & English language proficiency

The minimum academic requirement for full entry and enrolment is a Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 6.0/7.0. 

However, applicants will first be ranked on a GPA ('GPA1') that is calculated using all but the last semester (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes. 

If required, ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of: 

• a GPA ('GPA2') calculated on the penultimate and antepenultimate semesters (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes; and/or

• demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency. 

Prior to enrolment in this ANU program, all students who gain entry will have their Bachelor degree reassessed, to confirm minimum requirements were met.

The cost of studying at Australian National University varies largely depending on the type of university and the degree chosen. More often than not, humanities, arts, and education courses are less expensive than degrees in medical, engineering, or management. Furthermore, students who choose to study at the postgraduate level typically pay higher tuition fees, which again vary depending on the programme chosen.

Most universities provide scholarships or financial aid to students in order to help them offset their tuition costs. Students should be aware that additional course fees and incidental expenses may not be included in tuition. On average, international students can expect to pay A$46,176 annually, to study in Australian National University.

Employment Opportunities

A VMECAS will advance your career in any professional area requiring a solid understanding of the Middle East and Central Asia, whether in diplomacy, the public service, teaching, journalism, development or business. Alongside in-depth study of these geopolitically significant regions and the development of an original research thesis, the degree includes options for training in Arabic, Persian, and Turkish languages, and experiential courses that develop leadership and problem-solving skills.