Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
Are you interested in Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Persian or Hebrew Studies? You don't need any prior knowledge of these languages to study them at Cambridge but you do need imagination, perseverance and a sense of adventure.
| UCAS code | TT46 BA/AMES |
| Duration | Four years |
| Colleges | Available at all Colleges |
| 2011 entry | Applications/places: 3 Number admitted: 49 |
| Open days and events 2012 | Department open day - 16 March, booking required, see the Faculty website College open days (arts) Cambridge Open Days - 5 July, 6 July |
| Related courses | |
| Contact details | 01223 335105 ug_progadmin@ames.cam.ac.uk www.ames.cam.ac.uk |
Overview
Broaden your horizons
Are you interested in the world's fastest growing economy? Have you ever wondered why politics and religion seem to be inseparable in the Middle East? Would you like to learn more about Japanese film and literature?
All these topics and more are offered at the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, where the areas of study range geographically from the Mediterranean to the Pacific, and in time from the classical era to the present day.
There are no specific subject requirements and no prior knowledge of any of the languages is expected from applicants (Part I is designed to accommodate beginners) - it's more important to do some exploratory reading (see the Faculty website for suggestions).
Flexibility: our range of options
Our course is flexible and numerous options and combinations are available.
- You can study Arabic, Chinese, Hebrew, Japanese or Persian.
- You can combine Arabic, Hebrew and Persian with each other or with a modern European language (provided you have an A Level/IB Higher Level in the European language) or Egyptology.
- Chinese and Japanese cannot ordinarily be combined, except with each other in Part II.
East Asian Studies
Chinese Studies provides you with a good fluency in modern Chinese (Mandarin), knowledge of literary and classical Chinese, and a critical understanding of the rich variety of Chinese culture.
Through Japanese Studies, you'll master the Japanese language (one of the world's most challenging) and gain a comprehensive understanding of Japan, its rich and diverse culture, and its vital role in world affairs.
Middle Eastern Studies
Arabic Studies and Persian Studies seek to give you a deeper understanding of the Middle East and Islam, their rich heritage and their contribution to world knowledge.
Hebrew Studies encompasses both classical (Biblical) and modern Hebrew and its literature, as well as modern Middle Eastern history and culture, and other languages such as Aramaic.
Individuality: our teaching approach
Our Faculty is small in size, the advantage being that teaching mainly takes place in small groups and, as such, is geared to your needs.
In Part I, you get a thorough grounding in the language(s) of your choice (modern and classical), as well as studying the literature, history, religion, politics, economics, anthropology and society of the region you've chosen, to gain an even deeper understanding of the culture.
You spend your third year abroad, studying or working in a country where the language you're learning is spoken. In the fourth year, greater specialisation is possible and students write a dissertation on a topic of their choice.
Living and learning abroad
The year abroad is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture you're studying and to improve your language skills.
Chinese and Japanese Studies students spend the year studying at a university in the appropriate country. Arabic, Persian and Hebrew Studies students have some choice of which country they go to and, to a certain extent, what they do. In the past, students have studied in a foreign university, taught, and worked for companies or charities.
Versatility: your choice of careers
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 journalism, business and commerce, 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 initiative to tackle a difficult language. Our graduates have also gone into banking, marketing, law, and one runs a successful travel agency specialising in tours of China.
Course outline
Teaching is through lectures, seminars and classes, and supervisions, and you can typically expect 10-12 hours of teaching each week (dependent on papers/languages studied).
You take four papers in Year 1, five in Year 2, and four papers (five in Chinese Studies) and a dissertation of 12,000 words in your final year.
Assessment varies from paper to paper but may include written, translation, oral and/or listening examinations, and coursework.
Chinese Studies
Years 1 and 2 (Part I)
You receive intensive training in spoken and written Mandarin, as well as a grounding in reading literary and classical Chinese, and Chinese and East Asian history from ancient times to the present day.
Years 3 and 4 (Part II)
You choose from specialist papers on topics as varied as religion and thought in dynastic China; Chinese film, linguistics, society or literature; and war in the making of modern China. In Year 3, you study at a university in China, and write a dissertation on a topic of your choice in Year 4.
Japanese Studies
Years 1 and 2 (Part I)
Year 1 is devoted to spoken and written Japanese and to Japanese Studies, covering topics such as film and politics. Classical Japanese is also available in Year 2, along with options in history, literature, religion, politics and society.
Years 3 and 4 (Part II)
You spend your third year studying in Japan. Year 4 involves advanced language work, a special paper, and writing a dissertation on a topic of your choice. Special papers available vary each year but past topics include Japanese culture, history, and politics and international relations. There's also a Korean paper option.
Arabic Studies and Persian Studies
Years 1 and 2 (Part I)
You study modern written and spoken Persian (Farsi) and/or Arabic. The classical languages follow, along with broad papers on Middle Eastern history, literature and culture, and on Islam. Akkadian and Egyptian papers are also available.
Years 3 and 4 (Part II)
You spend Year 3 studying or working in the Middle East. In Year 4, advanced language learning continues, you choose from papers on topics such as literature and history, and write a dissertation on a subject of your choice.
Hebrew Studies
Years 1 and 2 (Part I)
You're introduced to the Hebrew language and its literature, as well as the contemporary Middle East and its history and culture. You can also take papers in other subjects such as linguistics, Judaism, Akkadian or Egyptian.
Years 3 and 4 (Part II)
Year 3 is spent in Israel increasing your language fluency and starting work on your final year dissertation. In Year 4, you complete and submit your dissertation, take an advanced language paper and choose from further special subject and language papers, such as Hebrew Literature, Comparative Semitics, Aramaic, Phoenician, Ugaritic and pre-modern and the modern Middle East.
Entry requirements
Typical offers require
A Level: A*AA
IB: 40-42 points, with 776 or 777 at Higher Level
For other qualifications, see our main Entrance requirements pages.
Course requirements
Essential No specific subjects
Highly desirable A modern or ancient language, an A Level/IB Higher Level humanities/social science subject.
No particular subjects at A Level (or equivalent) are required for the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies course. All Asian and Middle Eastern languages are taught from scratch, so there is no requirement for any previous knowledge of them.
Although a language at A Level is not essential, we do look for evidence of ability to learn languages in a classroom setting, since this is such a central part of our courses. The courses are, however, about much more than just the languages. We therefore seek a range of skills and aptitudes in addition to language learning. This means that our courses may not be suitable for people who already have a thorough knowledge of the language in both its spoken and written forms. However, this should in no way discourage you from spending some time in the relevant country, and/or learning some of the language, if that is what you are considering.
Christ's and Robinson Colleges prefer at least one essay-based subject.
Check College websites for College specific requirements. See also Entrance requirements and our Subject Matters leaflet for additional advice about general requirements for entry, qualifications and offers.
Admissions tests and written work
The table below sets out the ways in which each College assesses applicants for this subject. For more information about these methods of assessment and why we use them, see the main Admissions tests and written work page.
| College | Assessment of applicant for this subject |
|---|---|
| Christ's | School/college essay |
| Churchill | School/college essays |
| Clare | School/college essay |
| Corpus Christi | School/college essay |
| Downing | School/college essay |
| Emmanuel | School/college essay |
| Fitzwilliam | School/college essay; Test at interview |
| Girton | School/college essay; Test at interview (depending on subject) |
| Gonville & Caius | School/college essay |
| Homerton | School/college essay |
| Hughes Hall | Test at interview |
| Jesus | School/college essay |
| King's | School/college essay; Test at interview if combining with a modern language |
| Lucy Cavendish | Test at interview |
| Magdalene | School/college essay; Test at interview if combining with a modern language |
| Murray Edwards | School/college essay; Test at interview (depending on subject) |
| Newnham | School/college essay |
| Pembroke | School/college essays |
| Peterhouse | School/college essay |
| Queens' | School/college essay |
| Robinson | Test at interview; Preparatory study at interview |
| St Catharine's | School/college essay |
| St Edmund's | Interview only |
| St John's | School/college essay; Preparatory study at interview |
| Selwyn | Preparatory study at interview |
| Sidney Sussex | School/college essay; Test at interview if combining with a modern European language |
| Trinity | School/college essay |
| Trinity Hall | School/college essay; Test at interview if combining with a modern language |
| Wolfson | School/college essays; Test at interview (depending on subject) |
How to apply
If you are interested in applying for this course, please see our Applying section for more details.
Further Resources
Find out more about Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at Cambridge
- Course website - Explore Asian and Middle Eastern Studies in more detail on the course website.
- Year abroad - Information about the third year of the AMES course, which is spent overseas.
Tools to help you with your Asian and Middle Eastern Studies application
- Funding opportunities - Details of the funds available to support AMES students.
Check out the specific resources for each of the subjects that make up Asian and Middle Eastern Studies:
Chinese Studies
Chinese Studies
Ever thought about learning a language spoken by one-fifth of the world's population?
The four year Cambridge course in Chinese aims to provide its undergraduates with the opportunity to strive for fluency in the modern Chinese language, a solid grounding in classical and literary Chinese and a critical understanding of the rich variety of Chinese culture. You will experience an exceptional challenge to your character and talents that will equip you for rewarding careers and a lifetime of appreciation of the vibrant living tradition of China and Chinese communities worldwide. While no prior knowledge of the language is required or expected, imagination, perseverance and a sense of adventure will be essential. We are looking for students who relish not exoticism but a serious commitment to the enterprise of learning about a vital and increasingly important part of the world.
Find out more about Chinese Studies at Cambridge
- Subject website - Explore Chinese Studies in more detail on the course website.
- Year abroad - Information about the third year of the AMES course, which is spent overseas.
- Facilities - Information about the facilities available to Chinese Studies students.
Improve your knowledge of Chinese Studies
- Preparatory reading - Guidance on preparatory reading for applicants interested in Chinese Studies.
Chinese Studies and your future
- Career opportunities - Information about the career opportunities available to you after studying Chinese Studies at Cambridge.
The student experience
- Student profile - A current student describes her experience of studying Chinese Studies.
Japanese Studies
Japanese Studies
This course combines the intensive study of spoken and written Japanese to an advanced level with the study of Japanese history, religion, literature, society, politics and international relations.
Japanese Studies at Cambridge provides an opportunity to engage with a rich and diverse traditional culture, one of the world's most challenging languages, and a modern and dynamic economy and society that have experienced massive change and growth in the course of the twentieth century. All too often, Japan is presented as an inaccessible and enigmatic society. Our aim is to challenge this stereotype, to enable you to master the Japanese language and to gain a comprehensive understanding of Japan and its vital role in world affairs.
Find out more about Japanese Studies at Cambridge
- Subject website - Explore Japanese Studies in more detail on the course website.
- Facilities - Information about the facilities available to Japanese Studies students.
Improve your knowledge of Japanese Studies
- Preparatory reading - Guidance on preparatory reading for applicants interested in Japanese Studies.
Japanese Studies and your future
- Career opportunities - Information about the career opportunities available to you after studying Japanese Studies at Cambridge.
Arabic Studies and Persian Studies
Arabic Studies and Persian Studies
The languages taught in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies are Arabic and Persian, the two main languages of the Middle East since the emergence of Islam in the 7th century AD.
Together these languages are the key to the culture of this fascinating and complex region, both past and present. Although very different to Europe in some ways, the Middle East is its closest neighbour and cultural contact has always occurred.
Find out more about Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at Cambridge
- Subject website - Explore Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies in more detail on the course website.
- Year abroad - Information about the third year of the AMES course, which is spent overseas.
Improve your knowledge of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies
- Preparatory reading - Guidance on preparatory reading for applicants interested in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies.
Subject-specific resources for the Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies course at Cambridge
- Arabic - Additional information on the Arabic side of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies.
- Persian - Additional information on the Persian side of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies.
The student experience
- Student profiles - Some current students describe their experience of studying Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies.
Hebrew Studies
Hebrew Studies
Cambridge has long been a centre for Hebrew and Aramaic studies, and the Regius Professorship of Hebrew was founded by Henry VIII as early as 1540.
The University Library has a large number of Hebrew and Aramaic manuscripts, and special mention must be made of the famous Taylor-Schechter Genizah Collection. This collection of some 140,000 fragments comes from about the seventh century onwards. It brings scholars from many parts of the world to work in Cambridge.
Find out more about Hebrew and Aramaic Studies at Cambridge
- Subject website - Explore Hebrew and Aramaic Studies in more detail on the course website.
- Combining subjects - Information on how to combine Hebrew and Aramaic together, or with papers from other courses.
- Year abroad - Information about the third year of the AMES course, which is spent overseas.
Improve your knowledge of Hebrew and Aramaic Studies
- Preparatory reading - Guidance on preparatory reading for applicants interested in Hebrew and Aramaic Studies.