Middle Eastern Studies, Master Degree, University of Groningen

the Netherlands

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The award	How you will study	Study duration	Course start	Domestic course fees	International course fees
Master Degree	find out	find out	February, September	EUR 2530 per year	EUR 18700 per year

About Middle Eastern Studies, Master Degree - at University of Groningen

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.

Read more about the department of Middle Eastern Studies.

Learn more about Middle Eastern Studies, Master Degree - at University of Groningen

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Entry requirements

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Fees, Funding and Scholarships at University of Groningen

The university is committed to recognising excellence in academic achievement through offering a number of scholarships for international students and researchers. Several scholarships are available for international students who are motivated to study Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD programmes, as well as for exchanges, short courses and research stays at our university.

Besides scholarships awarded by the University of Groningen, a number of grants awarded by the Dutch government, the EU and (inter)national organizations, such as World Bank or the Ford Foundation, can be used for study or research at the University of Groningen as well.

Find out what is available through our grant finder page.

Student reviews of University of Groningen

Find out what students say about University of Groningen

If I had to choose a Master's programme again, I would be on a flight to Groningen.

Ana Quintana, Mexico, Strategic Innovation Management

I gained a Bachelor's degree in Management & Marketing in Mexico City before I came to the Netherlands to undertake my Master's programme. During my Bachelor's studies, I spent a semester in Canada and I wanted to expand my international (study) experiences before starting work. I was keen to focus on innovation which is not usually offered in Mexico hence the combination of Innovation and Strategy in one programme directed me to Groningen.

My Master's thesis dealt with Innovation in family businesses and I now benefit from the intense research modules offered during the programme. Now I am working as a Promotion Manager in charge of the several customer loyalty programs offered by one of Mexico's biggest hotel chains. Although the Master's program was rather theoretical, I feel that it prepared me very well for my current job.

There was nothing about Groningen that I did not like: the city is just beautiful. I especially enjoyed going everywhere by bike, the variety of offers for students and, of course, the Queensday (now Kings Day) celebrations. Groningen has everything to make (foreign) students feel at home.

Looking back a year after my return to Mexico, I feel that I especially enjoyed getting to know Dutch culture. In addition, the courses offered and the beauty of the city made my stay in Groningen an unforgettable experience. If I had to choose a Master's programme again, I would be on a flight to Groningen.

I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to expand my knowledge in the field of law

Lejla Terzimehic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Global Criminal Law

Thanks to the European Commission Scholarship and the Talent Grant from the University of Groningen, I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to expand my knowledge in the field of law that I am most passionate about, at one of the oldest and most prestigious European universities.

Being very intellectually challenging, the master programme truly met my expectations. Sharing knowledge with my colleagues, all coming from different legal traditions, and learning from inspiring professors enriched me with the skills I hadn't attained during my previous education.

What I found to be the most beneficial is that the Dutch education system which, taught us to develop a critical opinion on law-related issues. Moreover, this master programme had a unique approach in tackling controversial contemporary legal issues. Due to its strong comparative emphasis, it encouraged us to keep at constant track with our national law, which is of a huge significance.

Both the master and a 6-month long internship at the International Criminal Tribunal for The Former Yugoslavia strengthened my belief in Justice. Furthermore, besides this academic benefit, I believe that studying abroad unequivocally broadens our horizons and tests prejudices we even are not aware of.