The Middle East and Central Asia, predominately Muslim States and Societies, are rich in history, geographical wonders, political turmoil, and socio-cultural influence. The Middle East ranges from Turkey and Iran in West Asia to the Arab heartland as far as Morocco in North Africa. Central Asia is comprised of Afghanistan and the former Muslim republics of the Soviet.

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.

The Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies (CAIS) at ANU is the only academic institution in Australia to offer the Bachelor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies. The courses offered are interdisciplinary, drawing from international relations, sociology, history, political economy, security, cultural studies and cognate disciplines. The breadth of disciplines and approaches used in CAIS’s teaching offers a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the Middle East and Central Asia regions. To fully engage with the history and culture of the regions, you can also study a Middle Eastern or Central Asian language. There is also the opportunity to undertake a highly competitive research project through the Australian National Internships Program (ANIP).

Improve the health of future populations with the globally-focussed ANU Master of Public Health.

Through innovative and applied education, you’ll gain an understanding of contemporary public health issues, and learn practical techniques for analysing public health problems.

Whether you study online or on campus, this program provides real experience in public health through core courses designed to give you the skills you need and electives that suit your interests. Workplace-related learning can be readily incorporated for those who work in relevant public health jobs.

Find out more about public health, the degree structure, the university experience, career opportunities and student stories on our website.

Get the inside story on what it’s like to be an ANU student by visiting our student blog.

Employment Opportunities

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

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

Learning Outcomes

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. 

1. Explain and apply an understanding of the socioeconomic, behavioural, biological, and societal determinants of health and disease.
2. Understand the factors affecting the aetiology, incidence, and prevalence of major health problems in populations
3. Understand the factors affecting the need, demand, and use of health care and public health services
4. Critically read and evaluate quantitative and qualitative research findings contained in medical, public health and social science journals.
5. Apply analytic tools to defining and describing public health problems.
6. Demonstrate creativity, inquisitiveness, and evidence-based rigour in the application of public health problem-solving skills.
7. Communicate effectively and persuasively, both orally and in writing.
8. Integrate knowledge and research methods skills to address a research question.

Additional Information

Students enrolled in BMECA will be assigned an academic mentor from the pool of academic staff at the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies. The mentoring program ensures that academic support is provided to every student enrolled in the program. It is designed to provide academic support to BMECA students and include them in CAIS’ intellectual community through academic and social gatherings. This is an optional form of assistance and students can opt out at any point of their degree.

Students enrolled in BMECA will be assigned an academic mentor from the pool of academic staff at the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies. The mentoring program ensures that academic support is provided to every student enrolled in the program. It is designed to provide academic support to BMECA students and include them in CAIS’ intellectual community through academic and social gatherings. This is an optional form of assistance and students can opt out at any point of their degree.

Admission Requirements

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 guarantee entry into the program.

In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors.

The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs and change admission requirements as needed.

Domestic applicants

Before applying for a program, you should review the general information about domestic undergraduate admission to ANU programs and how to apply, and the program-specific information below.

• Applicants with recent secondary education are assessed on:
  • completion of Australian Year 12 or equivalent, and the minimum Selection Rank (from their academic qualifications, plus any adjustment factors) requirement for this program; and
  • co-curricular or service requirement (applies to applicants who complete secondary education in the year prior to commencing at ANU); and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with higher education study are assessed on:
  • previous higher education studies; or secondary education results if completed less than one full-time equivalent year (1.0 FTE) of a degree; or the result from a bridging or preparatory course; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are assessed on:
  • previously completed VET qualifications at AQF level 5 or higher (i.e. a Diploma or above); or secondary education results if the VET qualification is not completed; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with work and life experience are assessed on:
  • ATAR or equivalent if secondary education was completed; or the Special Adult Entry Scheme (SAES); or work experience; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.

International applicants

Applicants who complete a recognised secondary/senior secondary/post-secondary/tertiary sequence of study will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. A list of commonly observed international qualifications and corresponding admission requirements can be found here. Applicants must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.

Diversity factors & English language proficiency  
As Australia's national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe. If required, competitive ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency.

Further information is available for English Language Requirements for Admission

Adjustment Factors

Adjustment factors are additional points added to an applicant's Selection Rank (for example an applicant's ATAR). ANU offers adjustment factors based on performance and equity principles, such as for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. 

Selection Rank adjustments are granted in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustment factors and maximum 10 equity-based adjustment factors) can be awarded. 

You may be considered for adjustment factors if you have:

• applied for an eligible ANU Bachelor degree program
• undertaken Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate
• achieved an ATAR or equivalent at or above 70
• not previously attempted tertiary study.

Please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

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.

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 

12 units from the completion of two courses from the following list:

MEAS3003 Critical Perspectives on Arabic culture

MEAS3004 Iran in World Politics

POLS3070 Politics in Central Asia

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

ANIP3003 Australian National Internships Program Internship A

BUSI2024 Dynamics of Business in the Middle East

MEAS2000 Iranian History and Culture

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

MEAS2003 Modern Turkey: History, Politics and Culture 

MEAS2105 The Political Economy of the Middle East

POLS2031 Politics in the Middle East

POLS2069 Politics in Russia

MEAS2006 Gallipoli: A transnational history

MEAS2005 Gender and Culture in Iran and the Middle East

MEAS3005 Modern Iraq: State, Politics and Society 

MEAS3006 Turkish History: Ottoman State to Modern Turkey

Either:

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

Arabic

Persian

Or:

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 Minor

Advanced Persian Minor

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

Advanced Arabic Minor

Advanced Persian Minor

ANU Leadership and Research Minor

Applied Linguistics Minor

Arabic Major

Asian Studies Major

Forensic Linguistics Minor

History Major

Human Rights Major

International Communication Major

International Relations Major

Linguistics Major

Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies Major

Persian Major

Political Science Major

Russian Minor

Social Research Methods Minor

18 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

POPH8101 Biostatistics in Population Health

POPH8103 Introduction to Health Services Research and Policy

POPH8108 Social and Cultural Determinants of Health

 6 units from completion of a course from the following list:

POPH8100 Fundamentals of Epidemiology

POPH8552 Introduction to Clinical Epidemiology

24 units from completion of elective courses from ANU

Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 5.0 in the first 96 units attempted to commence the 24 units of Masters courses in their Bachelor degree. Students who do not achieve this GPA will be able to complete and graduate from their Bachelor degree but will not be able to undertake Masters courses.

If the total number of units attempted exceeds 96 in the same teaching period in which the 96th unit is attempted, all courses attempted will be used in the calculation of the GPA.

24 units from completion of elective courses from ANU.

The Master of Public Health requires the completion of 96 units, which must consist of:

24 units of specified credit from graduate courses completed in the Bachelor degree

24 units of unspecified credit

48 units, which must consist of:

A minimum of 24 units from completion of Public Health Topics courses from the following list:

CHMD8004 Qualitative Methodologies for Health Research

DEMO8063 Spatial Population Data Analysis

POPH8102 Global Population Health

POPH8115 Health Promotion and Protection

POPH8313 Analysis of Public Health Data

POPH8315 Research Design and Methods

POPH8316 Outbreak Investigation

POPH8317 Public Health Surveillance

POPH8318 Human Health, Environment and Climate Change

POPH8918 Life course approaches to human ageing

POPM8001 Research, Treatment, Policy: Current Issues in Mental Health

SOCR8003 Qualitative Research Analysis

A maximum of 24 units from completion of Public Health Electives courses from the following list:

BIOL8021 Health and Disease in a Changing World

CHMD8001 Directed Readings in Culture, Health and Medicine

CHMD8005 Representing Medicine: Performance, Drama and Identity

CHMD8006 Global Health and Development

CHMD8008 Medicine and Society in History

CHMD8009 Anthropological Approaches to Health Interventions

CHMD8010 Anthropological Concepts for Health Research: From Risk to Suffering

DEMO8008 Principles of Population Analysis

DEMO8048 Gender and Population

EMDV8001 Environmental Sustainability, Health and Development

IDEC8007 Aid and Development Policy

INDG8001 Australian Indigenous Development

INDG8003 Understanding Indigenous Wellbeing: Demographic and Socioeconomic Change

INDG8004 Australian Indigenous Policy

LAWS8237 Health Law and Bioethics

LING6034 Communication in Health Care

MGMT7030 Foundations of Management

NSPO8013 Disease, Security and Biological Weapons

POGO8029 Health Policy in a Globalising World

Majors

Bachelor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies Majors

Minors

Bachelor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies Minors