Politics and Society of the Contemporary Middle East - Master Programme
Master's programme · 2 years · 120 credits
Description
Are you interested in the current social and political issues, debates, and processes in the Middle East?
What will I study?
This interdisciplinary Master’s Programme aims to develop in students deep social-scientific knowledge about the Middle East of today. It trains students in critical thinking and gives them the ability to apply this to current events and debates in and about the region.The social-scientific focus of the programme means that students will learn how to apply various theories and research methodologies to study the societies, politics, and contemporary history of countries in the region and their populations both at home and in the diaspora. Particular emphasis is given to the processes, norms and flows that continuously shape the Middle East, such as migration, refugeeship, legal, political, social, and economic conditions, as well as cultural and gender constructs.
The programme uses a comprehensive definition of the Middle East and North Africa region to include some of the members of the Arab League (Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen) in addition to Iran, Israel/Occupied territories, and Turkey.
The programme offers a combination of compulsory and elective courses. It emphasises the students’ development through supervision as well as in contacts with the research network to which the programme offers links. The medium of instruction is English. This means that lectures and seminars will be given in English and that examinations (including the master's thesis) will be in English.
What happens after the programme?
After completing the Master of Arts Programme in Politics and Society in the Contemporary Middle East, you will acquire a Master of Arts Degree in Middle Eastern Studies (120 credits). The programme provides a basis for third-cycle (PhD) studies as well as professional careers in areas such as diplomacy, aid and development work, work linked to migration, integration and societal development, as well as educational and journalistic work with a connection to the Middle Eastern and diasporic contexts.
For further information about the programme, please refer to our website http://graduateschool.sam.lu.se or send us an email: master [at] sam [dot] lu [dot] se
How to apply?
To be eligible for this programme you most hold the equivalent of a Swedish Bachelor’s degree with a major (i.e. at least 90 ECTS credits) in a Social Sciences discipline or in History, Economic History, Economic Development, Area Studies, or equivalent.
A good command of English language both spoken and written, equivalent to English B/6 (advanced) proficiency in the Swedish secondary system, is required. Equivalence assessments will be made according to national guidelines.
We ask you to include a Statement of Purpose in your application.
Please see our website for detailed instructions on how to apply: http://graduateschool.sam.lu.se/how-to-apply
Open for applications
Application opportunitiesOpen for late applications
The regular application round has closed, but this programme is accepting late applications. See all programmes that are currently open for late applications on universityadmissions.se and apply now.
However, if you apply late as a non-EU student, please note that it might be difficult for you to get admitted in time to start your studies in Lund.
Contact
Programme Coordinator
Email: master [at] sam [dot] lu [dot] se
Requirements and selection
Entry requirements
To be eligible for the programme the applicant must have the equivalent of a Swedish Bachelor’s degree with a major (i.e. at least 90 ECTS credits) in a Social Sciences discipline or in History, Economic History, Economic Development, Area Studies, or equivalent.
A good command of English language both spoken and written, equivalent to English B/6 (advanced) proficiency in the Swedish secondary system, is required. Equivalence assessments will be made according to national guidelines.
Selection criteria
English language requirements
Most of Lund University’s programmes require English Level 6 (unless otherwise stated under 'Entry requirements'). This is the equivalent of an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 90. There are several ways to prove your English language proficiency – check which proof is accepted at the University Admissions in Sweden website. All students must prove they meet English language requirements by the deadline, in order to be considered for admission.
How to prove your English proficiency – universityadmissions.se
Country-specific requirements
Check if there are any country-specific eligibility rules for you to study Bachelor's or Master's studies in Sweden:
Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se
Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se
Apply
Start Autumn Semester 2024
Day-time Lund, full time 100%
In English
Study period
30 August 2024 - 7 June 2026
Application
Late applications are being accepted
How to apply
Lund University uses a national application system run by University Admissions in Sweden. It is only possible to apply during the application periods.
Step 1: Apply online
- Check that you meet the entry requirements of the programme or course you are interested in (refer to the section above on this webpage).
- Start your application – go to the University Admissions in Sweden website where you create an account and select programmes/courses during the application period.
Visit the University Admissions in Sweden website - Rank your programme/course choices in order of preference and submit them before the application deadline.
Step 2: Submit documents
- Read about how to document your eligibility and how to submit your documents at the University Admissions in Sweden website. Follow any country-specific document rules for Master's studies or Bachelor's studies
Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se
Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se
- Get all your documents ready:
- official transcripts and high school diploma (Bachelor's applicants)
- official transcripts and degree certificate or proof that you are in the final year of your Bachelor's (Master's applicants)
- passport/ID (all applicants) and
- proof of English proficiency (all applicants).
- Prepare programme-specific documents if stated in the next paragraph on this webpage.
- Upload or send all required documents to University Admissions before the document deadline.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable – refer to the section below on this webpage) before the document deadline.
* Note that the process is different if you are applying as an exchange student or as a part of a cooperation programme (such as Erasmus+).
* If you have studied your entire Bachelor's programme in Sweden and all of your academic credits are in Ladok, you do not have to submit transcripts or your diploma when applying for a Master's programme. However, there may still be other documents you need to submit! See the link below.
* Svensk student?
Läs instruktionerna om att söka till ett internationellt masterprogram på lu.se
Programme-specific documents
Statement of Purpose: In addition to the general supporting documents specified on the University Admissions website, all applicants for the Master of Arts programme in Politics and Society of the Contemporary Middle East are asked to submit a statement of purpose written in English. It should not exceed 800 words. Be sure that your complete name, the name of the Master's programme and your application number are visible on this document.
What to include in your statement of purpose when applying for the programme in Politics and Society of the Contemporary Middle East:
- What are your reasons for applying for this programme? In what ways do you expect to contribute to the programme? What do you expect to get out of it?
- Which country/countries of the Middle East are you interested in and what themes would you want to explore? How would you go about doing that empirically and theoretically?
- What previous experience do you have with the Middle East? Do you speak a regional language (Arabic, Farsi, Hebrew or Turkish)?
This document should be submitted to University Admissions in Sweden, in addition to the general supporting documents specified above. When applying for several programmes, please write a separate statement of purpose for each programme.
Tuition fees
Non-EU/EEA citizens
Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 250 000
First payment: SEK 62 500
Citizens of a country outside of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland are required to pay tuition fees. You pay one instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each semester.
Tuition fees, payments and exemptions
EU/EEA citizens and Switzerland
There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.
Application fee
If you are required to pay tuition fees, you are generally also required to pay an application fee of SEK 900 when you apply at the University Admissions in Sweden website. You pay one application fee regardless of how many programmes or courses you apply to.
- Paying your application fee – universityadmissions.se
- Exemptions from paying the application fee – universityadmissions.se
- Convert currency – xe.com
*Note that there are no tuition or application fees for exchange students or doctoral/PhD students, regardless of their nationality.
Scholarships & funding
Lund University Global Scholarship programme
The Lund University Global Scholarship programme is a merit-based and selective scholarship targeted at top academic students from countries outside the EU/EEA.
Lund University Global Scholarship
Swedish Institute Scholarships
The Swedish Institute offers scholarships to international students applying for studies in Sweden at Master's level.
Scholarship information on the Swedish Institute website
Country-specific scholarships and funding options
Lund University has agreements with scholarship organisations and funding bodies in different countries, which may allow applicants to apply for funding or scholarships in their home countries for their studies at Lund University.
External scholarships
Testimonials
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