Asian and Middle Eastern Studies BA (Hons)

This course is flexible and numerous options and combinations are available. You can study Arabic, Chinese, Hebrew, Japanese or Persian. Chinese and Japanese cannot be combined with another language. However, those studying Japanese may be able to take Korean as an option in Year 4. You can combine Arabic, Hebrew and Persian with each other, or with a modern European language (if you have an A Level/IB Higher Level or equivalent in the European language) from Year 1; or with Hindi or Sanskrit from Year 2 (no more than two languages can be studied at one time). Persian must be combined with another Middle Eastern language or a European language from the Modern and Medieval Languages course in Year 1. The areas you can study in the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES) course stretch from Japan in the East to Morocco in the West, and from classical times to the present day. By studying an AMES language and culture, you develop a set of practical skills and knowledge that can be used in many ways and you engage with different understandings of our shared world. As you do not have to have studied AMES subjects at school, the best preparation is for you to explore for yourself what interests you about the language and culture you choose to study. The range of career options open to graduates is vast. Besides those who go into research, many graduates use their subject directly in subsequent employment. Examples include the media, business and commerce, tourism, teaching overseas, the Civil Service (especially the Foreign Office), NGOs, or international scientific agencies. Even if you choose not to stay in a related field, employers are often impressed by your choice to study a difficult language. Our graduates have also gone into banking, marketing and law.