Program Requirements
The Master of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies requires the completion of 72 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
MEAS8109 Energy and Security in Central Asia and the Caucasus
MEAS8114 Geopolitics of Central Asia
MEAS8115 Islam in World Politics
A minimum of 18 units from completion of Advanced Disciplinary Courses from the following list:
IDEC8034 Middle Eastern Economies
IDEC8035 Islamic Economies in Practice
MEAS8102 Islamic Radicalism
MEAS8105 Special Topic in Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
MEAS8108 Issues of Development in the Middle East
MEAS8111 Drivers of Violent Extremism: The Local and the Global in the Middle East
MEAS8112 Dynamics of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
MEAS8116 Authoritarianism, Democratisation and Protest in the Muslim Middle East
MEAS8117 Islam in Central Asia
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
Admission Requirements
Applicants must present a Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 5/7.
Applicants with a Bachelor Degree or Graduate Certificate in a cognate discipline may be eligible for 24 units (one semester) of credit.
The GPA for a Bachelor program will be calculated from (i) a completed Bachelor degree using all grades and/or (ii) a completed Bachelor degree using all grades other than those from the last semester (or equivalent study period) of the Bachelor degree. The higher of the two calculations will be used as the basis for admission.
Cognate Disciplines: Diplomacy, International relations, Modern history; Other social sciences and humanities disciplines and fields where there is significant coverage of a relevant aspect of Middle Eastern, Central Asian or Islamic Studies and where similar approaches and methodologies are used; and modern languages relating to the Middle East and/or Central Asia region such as Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Russian or French. Politics, Political economy, Political science, Religious studies/Islamic studies; Security studies, Sociology; Strategic studies.
Ranking and English Proficiency: 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.
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. 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.
Further information: English language admission requirements and post-admission support
Diversity factors: 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.
Assessment of qualifications: Unless otherwise indicated, ANU will accept all Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications or international equivalents that meet or exceed the published admission requirements of our programs, provided all other admission requirements are also met.
Where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will base assessment on the qualification that best meets the admission requirements for the program. Find out more about the Australian Qualifications Framework: www.aqf.edu.au
ANU uses a 7-point Grade Point Average (GPA) scale. All qualifications submitted for admission at ANU will be converted to this common scale, which will determine if an applicant meets our published admission requirements. Find out more about how a 7-point GPA is calculated for Australian universities: www.uac.edu.au/future-applicants/admission-criteria/tertiary-qualifications
Unless otherwise indicated, where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will calculate the GPA for each qualification separately. ANU will base assessment on the best GPA of all completed tertiary qualifications of the same level or higher.
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.
Alternate Admin Requirements
A Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 5/7 OR
A Bachelor degree or international equivalent AND a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in a cognate discipline with a minimum GPA of 4/7 OR
A Bachelor degree or international equivalent with GPA 4/7 AND a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program.
Applicants with a Bachelor Degree or Graduate Certificate in a cognate discipline may be eligible for 24 units (one semester) of credit.
All applicants must meet the University’s English Language Admission Requirements for Students
Credit Granted
Applicants with a Bachelor Degree, Bachelor degree with Honours, Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in a cognate discipline may be eligible for up to 24 units.
Cognate Disciplines
Diplomacy, International relations, Modern history; Other social sciences and humanities disciplines and fields where there is significant coverage of a relevant aspect of Middle Eastern, Central Asian or Islamic Studies and where similar approaches and methodologies are used; and modern languages relating to the Middle East and/or Central Asia region such as Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Russian or French. Politics, Political economy, Political science, Religious studies/Islamic studies; Security studies, Sociology; Strategic studies.
Indicative fees
- Annual indicative fee for domestic students
- $32,670.00
For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees
- Annual indicative fee for international students
- $48,035.00
For further information on International Tuition Fees see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/international-tuition-fees
Fee Information
All students are required to pay the Services and amenities fee (SA Fee)
The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.
For further information on Fees and Payment please see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments
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.
If you’re fascinated by the Middle East and Central Asia, transform your passion into a specialised qualification at Australia’s premier institute for international studies. Through this program, you'll gain a deep regional grounding from multiple interdisciplinary perspectives, including contemporary politics, international relations, modern history, political economy, development studies, sociology, and religious and cultural studies. The degree includes intensive options for busy professionals, and online options* for those based remotely, alongside traditional face-to-face seminars with leading global experts on the Middle East and Central Asia.
*Note that student visa holders [subclass 500] cannot study more than one-third of this program online.
Career Options
ANU ranks among the world's very finest universities. Our nearly 100,000 alumni include political, business, government, and academic leaders around the world.
We have graduated remarkable people from every part of our continent, our region and all walks of life.
Employment Opportunities
A MMECAS 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, the degree includes options for training in Arabic, Persian, and Turkish languages, and experiential courses that develop leadership and problem-solving skills.
Learning Outcomes
- conduct detailed, sophisticated research on the Middle East and/or Central Asia, synthesize research material and explain the findings clearly and succinctly, and present these findings both in writing and orally;
- discuss, explain and analyse major modern events, characteristics and dynamics related to the Middle East and/or Central Asia;
- explain and assess the dynamics that shape and influence Middle East and/or Central Asia, including one or more of: the roles of key actors in these regions’ politics, international relations, and political economies; the impacts on the region of modern historical events; and the impacts of societal and cultural forces; and
- engage critically with key scholarly debates and controversies related to the study of the Middle East and/or Central Asia, including those that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries.
Further Information
Interested in writing a thesis? Check out the advanced version of this degree.
