single degree

Bachelor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies

A single three year undergraduate award offered by the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences

BMECAS
  • Length 3 year full-time
  • Minimum 144 Units
Admission requirements
  • Length 3 year full-time
  • Minimum 144 Units
Admission requirements

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies requires completion of 144 units, of which:

A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 144 units must include:

12 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

MEAS1001 Introduction to the Modern Middle East 

MEAS1002 Islam : History and Institutions 

 

36 units from completion of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies courses from the following list:

BUSI2024 Dynamics of Business in the Middle East

MEAS2000 Iranian History and Culture

MEAS2001 New States of Eurasia: Emerging Issues in Politics and Security

MEAS2002 Turkish History: Ottoman State to Modern Turkey

MEAS2003 Modern Turkey: History, Culture and Regional Relations

MEAS2004 Turkish Politics and Foreign Policy

MEAS2105 The Political Economy of the Middle East

MEAS2107 Gender and Culture in Iran and the Middle East

MEAS2108 Gallipoli: History and National Imagination

POLS2031 Politics in the Middle East

POLS2069 Politics in Russia

POLS2070 Politics in Central Asia

Either:

48 units from completion of one of the following language majors:

Arabic

Persian

Or:

Either:

24 units from completion of one of the following language minors 

Arabic

Persian

 

24 units from completion of one of the following:

an in-country study abroad component/exchange in the same language as the minor

an internship undertaken in the same language as the minor

 

Or:

24 units from completion of one of the following advanced language minors: 

Advanced Arabic

Advanced Persian 

 

24 units from completion of courses from the following majors, minors and courses:

Advanced Ancient Greek Minor

Advanced Arabic Minor

Advanced French Studies Minor

Advanced German Studies Minor

Advanced Hispanic Culture Minor

Advanced Hispanic Linguistics Minor

Advanced Hispanic Studies Specialisation

Advanced Italian Studies Minor

Advanced Latin Minor

Advanced Persian Minor

Advanced Spanish Studies Minor

Advanced Studies Minor

American Studies Minor

Ancient Greek Major

Ancient Greek Minor

Ancient History Major

Ancient History Minor

Anthropology Major

Anthropology Minor

ANU Leadership and Research Minor

Applied Linguistics Minor

Arabic Major

Arabic Minor

Archaeology Major

Archaeology Minor

Art History Major

Art History Minor

Art Theory Major

Art Theory Minor

Asian Art History Minor

Asian Studies Major

Asian Studies Minor

Australian Indigenous Studies Major

Australian Indigenous Studies Minor

Australian Politics Minor

Biological Anthropology Major

Biological Anthropology Minor

Chinese Language Major

Chinese Language Minor

Classical Chinese Minor

Climate Science and Policy Minor

Comparative Politics Minor

Contemporary Europe Major

Contemporary Europe Minor

Criminology Major

Criminology Minor

Demography Minor

Development Studies Major

Development Studies Minor

Digital Humanities Major

Digital Humanities Minor

Economic Studies Major

Economic Studies Minor

English Major

English Minor

Environmental Policy Minor

Environmental Studies Major

Environmental Studies Minor

European History Major

European History Minor

Film Minor

Forensic Anthropology Minor

Forensic Linguistics Minor

French Language and Culture Major

French Language and Culture Minor

Gender and Sexuality Minor

Gender, Sexuality and Culture Major

Geography Major

Geography Minor

German Language and Culture Major

German Language and Culture Minor

Health, Medicine and the Body Minor

Heritage and Museum Studies Minor

Hindi Language Major

Hindi Language Minor

History Major

History Minor

Human Ecology Minor

Human Evolutionary Biology Major

Human Evolutionary Biology Minor

Human Rights Major

Human Rights Minor

Indonesian Language Major

Indonesian Language Minor

International Communication Major

International Communication Minor

International Relations Major

International Relations Minor

Italian Language and Culture Major

Italian Language and Culture Minor

Japanese Language Major

Japanese Language Minor

Korean Language Major

Korean Language Minor

Latin American Studies Major

Latin American Studies Minor

Latin Major

Latin Minor

Linguistics Major

Linguistics Minor

Mathematics Major

Mathematics Minor

Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies Major

Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies Minor

Music Major

Music Minor

Music Technology Minor

Pacific Studies Major

Pacific Studies Minor

Persian Major

Persian Minor

Philosophy and Science Minor

Philosophy Major

Philosophy Minor

Political Science Major

Political Science Minor

Political Theory Minor

Popular Music

Psychology Major

Russian Minor

Sanskrit Language Major

Sanskrit Language Minor

Social Psychology Minor

Social Research Methods Minor

Sociology Major

Sociology Minor

Spanish Major

Spanish Minor

Sustainable Development Minor

Thai Language Major

Thai Language Minor

Urdu Language Major

Urdu Language Minor

Vietnamese Language Major

Vietnamese Language Minor

Visual Arts Practice Minor

TURK1001 Elementary Turkish A

TURK1002 Elementary Turkish B

TURK2001 Intermediate Turkish A

TURK2002 Intermediate Turkish B

 

48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

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.

Honours

For information about honours, please see Bachelor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies (Honours)

Majors

Minors

Specialisations

Elective Study

Once you have met the program requirements of your degree, you may have enough electives to complete an additional elective majorminor or specialisation.

Study Options

Year 1 48 units MEAS1001 Introduction to the Modern Middle East 6 units Language Minor Course 6 units ANU Elective Course 6 units ANU Elective Course 6 units
MEAS1002 Islam : History and Institutions 6 units Language Minor Course 6 units ANU Elective Course 6 units ANU Elective Course 6 units
Year 2 48 units Middle Eastern & Central Asian Studies Course 6 units Middle Eastern & Central Asian Studies Course 6 units Language Minor Course 6 units ANU Elective Course 6 units
Middle Eastern & Central Asian Studies Course 6 units Middle Eastern & Central Asian Studies Course 6 units ANU Elective Course 6 units ANU Elective Course 6 units
Year 3 48 units - Internship/Exchange 24 units - -
Middle Eastern & Central Asian Studies Course 6 units Middle Eastern & Central Asian Studies Course 6 units Language Minor Course 6 units ANU Elective Course 6 units

Admission Requirements

Admission to all programs is on a competitive basis. Admission to undergraduate degrees is based on meeting the ATAR requirement or an equivalent rank derived from the following qualifications:

• An Australian year 12 qualification or international equivalent; OR
• A completed Associate Diploma, Associate Degree, AQF Diploma, Diploma, AQF Advanced Diploma, Graduate Certificate or international equivalent; OR
• At least one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) in a single program of degree level study at an Australian higher education institution or international equivalent; OR
• An approved tertiary preparation course unless subsequent study is undertaken.

Click HERE for further information about domestic admission.

More information about ATAR requirements for individual programs can be found HERE.

The table below is a guide to the entry level required for domestic applicants. Exact entry level will be set at time of offer.

Domestic applicant entry requirements

Queensland Band equivalents are a guide only - selection is made on a UAI equivalent that is not available to students.

International applicant entry requirements

International applicants may view further information on admissions requirements at Entry Requirements for International Undergraduate Applicants

The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs as required.

ATAR:
80
QLD Band:
10
International Baccalaureate:
28

Adjustment Factors

The National Access Scheme 2014

ANU offers bonus points for nationally strategic senior secondary subjects, and in recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. 

Bonus points are applied to all applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedule, and no more than 10 points (maximum 5 academic points and maximum 5 equity points) will be awarded.

Bonus points do not apply to programs with an ATAR cutoff of 98 or higher.

Bonus Points are only awarded to domestic applicants applying for admission through UAC who have not previously attempted tertiary study.

How to apply

Academic Bonus Points: senior secondary students do not need to apply for ANU academic bonus points. They are automatically added in accordance with the schedule.

Educational Access Scheme: senior secondary students do not need to apply if their school is part of the Priority School Funding Program or Country Areas Program. All other applicants should refer to http://www.uac.edu.au/eas/  for more information.

Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees

Annual indicative fee for international students
$36,720.00

For further information on International Tuition Fees see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/international-tuition-fees

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

Immerse yourself in a remarkable and complex part of the world.

The Middle Eastern and Central Asian regions of the World are rich in history, geographical wonders, political turmoil, and socio-cultural influence. They are areas of constant domestic and international interest as events often unfold which have global relevance and significance.

This program will take you through the topics, debates and developments in the Middle East and Central Asia. You will study the socio-cultural, political, historical and economic structures of these regions and develop a comprehensive knowledge of their relationship to global socio-cultural, political and economic trends.

To fully engage with the history and culture of the regions, you can also study a Middle Eastern or Central Asian language.

Career Options

Graduates from ANU have been rated as Australia's most employable graduates and among the most sought after by employers worldwide.

The latest Global Employability University Ranking, published by the Times Higher Education, rated ANU as Australia's top university for getting a job for the fourth year in a row.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates may find work in policy development, foreign affairs, government, private business, tourism, trade, journalism and many other fields.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

  1. Understand and evaluate historical and current events and developments that have shaped the Middle East and Central Asia,

  2. Identify and critique the contemporary socio-cultural and political systems of the Middle East and Central Asia,

  3. Analyse current debates relating to regional cooperation and unity in the context of tensions in traditions,

  4. Analyse the global significance of events and developments in the Middle East and Central Asia, and

  5. Communicate in a Middle Eastern or Central Asian language. 

Single degree

Three years full-time (144 units) - four courses per semester (24 units)
A maximum of 60 units of 1000 level courses
A Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies major (48 units)
Either:  One of the following majors (48units):
•    Arabic
•    Persian
Or:  Two of the following minors (24 units):
•    Arabic
•    Persian
•    Russian
Eight Electives (48 units) from across the ANU






Double degree

This degree requires 96 units
A maximum of 36 units of 1000 level courses
A Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies major (48 units)
Either:  One of the following majors (48units):
•    Arabic
•    Persian
Or:  Two of the following minors (24 units):
•    Arabic
•    Persian
•    Russian

About this degree

Single degree
In a Bachelor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies program you will study a total of 144 units. Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 24 (6-unit) courses across your whole degree.
You'll need to take the Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies major (8 courses) and either two minors of your choice from Arabic, Persian, and Russian (8 courses) or a major in either Arabic or Persian.
You'll also get to choose eight electives from courses right across ANU. You can use these electives to try a range of courses or to take a major or minor in a non-Arts subject.

Double degree
In a Bachelor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies degree program you will study a total of 96 units. Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 16 courses across your whole degree. However, for each semester you are likely to take 2 courses from your Bachelor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies degree and then 2 courses from the other half of your double degree – still a total of 4 courses a semester.
You'll need to take the Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies major (8 courses) and either two minors of your choice from Arabic, Persian, and Russian (8 courses) or a major in either Arabic or Persian.

Enrolment Status

While it's possible to enrol in fewer courses per semester, which is called studying part-time, it will take you longer to finish your program and get your degree. If you are an international student you must always be full-time.
A course (usually 6 units) can only be counted towards one major or minor.
You need to enrol in courses for both First Semester and Second Semester.
You can’t study more than four courses (24 units) per semester, eight for the year.
You need to enrol in courses for a Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies major
You need to enrol in courses for at least one potential Arts minor or a second potential Arts major
You may take 1000-level courses later in your program. But remember you can’t count more than ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your single degree or six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your Bachelor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian half of the double degree

Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses

When you enrol for the first time you will study ‘1000-level’ courses. These courses have ‘1’ as the first number in their course code, such as ARTS1234.

Majors and Minors

See available majors and minors for this program

How do I choose courses for my major?
You need to choose two courses from the Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies major.  Both the courses listed below are compulsory for the major:
•    MEAS1001 – Introduction to the Modern Middle East   First Semester
•    MEAS1002 – Islam: History and Institutions    Second Semester

How do I choose courses for my additional major or my two minors?
•    If your chosen major or minor is Arabic and you are a beginner you would enrol in the following courses:
     ARAB1002 - Introductory Arabic A (Semester 1)
     ARAB1003 - Introductory Arabic B (Semester 2)
•    If your chosen major or minor is Persian and you are a beginner you would enrol in the following courses:
     PERS1001 - Introductory Persian A (Semester 1)
     PERS1002 - Introductory Persian B (Semester 2)
•    If your chosen minor is Russian and you would enrol in the following courses:
     RUSS3002 - Reading Russian for Academic Purposes I (Semester 1)
     RUSS3003 - Reading Russian for Academic Purposes II (Semester 2)
•    If you have studied your chosen language previously you will need to take a Language Placement Test to determine the level of courses you should enrol in for 2016.  Following the placement test you will be given a permission code from the relevant Centre/School to allow you enrol in the correct level of you chosen language.

Electives

Single Degree
While you only need to enrol in courses for one major and either two minors or a second major, you can use your electives to enrol in 1000-level courses for other Arts majors or minors to make up the balance of your courses and that way you keep your options open.

Study Options

Bachelor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies - Single Degree

This is a typical study pattern for the first year of a student undertaking a Bachelor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies.

Study Options

Year 1 48 units MEAS1001 Introduction to the Modern Middle East 6 units Major or Minor Course 6 units Elective 1000 level Course 6 units Elective 1000 level Course 6 units
MEAS1002 Islam : History and Institutions 6 units Major or Minor Course 6 units Elective 1000 level Course 6 units Elective 1000 level Course 6 units

Bachelor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies - Double Degree

Study Options

Year 1 48 units MEAS1001 Introduction to the Modern Middle East 6 units Major or Minor 1000 level Course 6 units Degree B 6 units Degree B 6 units
MEAS1002 Islam : History and Institutions 6 units Major or Minor 1000 leve Course 6 units Degree B 6 units Degree B 6 units
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