MA History of Art and Architecture of the Islamic Middle East and Intensive Language

The MA History of Art and Architecture of the Islamic Middle East with Intensive Language is a 2-year programme, combining the strengths of the MA History of Art and Architecture of the Islamic Middle East with intensive language training in Arabic, Persian or Turkish.

You will study the arts of the Islamic Middle East exploring a wide range of arts and material culture, from Islamic visual culture; Arab, Persian and Turkish painting; the calligraphy and illumination of the Qur'an; the architecture and urbanism of Morocco; the arts and architecture of the Ottomans in Turkey and the Balkans; and the material culture of western Iran.

In addition, the degree engages with trans-regional topics that extend beyond the Middle East, such as cultural and artistic relationships between the Islamic lands and Europe. By the end of the programme, which includes a summer language school abroad, you will have received sufficient instruction to reach near-proficiency in the language.

Why study History of Art and Architecture of the Islamic Middle East at SOAS?

• SOAS is ranked 15th in the UK for Arts and Humanities (QS World University Rankings 2023)
• We are ranked 12th in the UK for Modern Languages (QS World University Rankings 2023)
• We are ranked 6th in the UK for employability (QS World University Rankings 2023)
• We partner with the British Council to offer a School of Arts student an internship at the Venice Biennale
• We partner with the Chu Te-Chun Foundation to offer a paid internship at the Venice Biennale
• We offer exclusive School of Arts-led internships at the Rietberg Museum, Zurich (2 places available)
• You can apply for a SOAS Co-Creator internship in the Special Collections of the SOAS Library
• Internships, field-trips, museum and storage visits, talks by curators, artists and other practitioners.

Students in the School of Arts develop a ​​critical and theoretically informed approach to global arts and culture. In addition to an intercultural awareness and practical expertise, graduates gain a wide portfolio of transferable skills which are especially sought after in the creative and cultural industries.

Recent School of Arts graduates have been hired by:

• Christie’s
• Christine Park Gallery
• Crisis
• Design Museum
• Hong Kong Museum Of Art
• India Foundation For The Arts
• Japanese Gallery
• Museum of East Asian Art
• Music in Detention
• National Gallery
• Pan Arts
• People Projects Culture & Change
• Roundhouse Trust
• Somerset House Trust
• Songlines Magazine
• Sotheby's
• South Asian Art UK
• Stratford Circus Arts Centre
• Taiwan Embassy
• The Alliance for Global Education
• The British Embassy
• The National Museum Of Korea
• The Royal Collection
• Victoria and Albert Museum

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