Politics and Society of the Contemporary Middle East - Master of Science programme
Master's programme · 2 years · 120 credits
Description
Are you interested in the current social and political issues, debates, and processes in the Middle East?
What will I study?
This interdisciplinary master's programme in social sciences aims to develop in students deep social-scientific knowledge about the Middle East of today. It trains students in critical thinking and gives them the ability to apply this to current events and debates in and about the region.The social-scientific focus of the programme means that students will learn how to apply various theories and research methodologies to study the societies, politics, and contemporary history of countries in the region and their populations both at home and in the diaspora. Particular emphasis is given to the processes, norms and flows that continuously shape the Middle East, such as migration, refugeeship, legal, political, social, and economic conditions, as well as cultural and gender constructs.
The programme uses a comprehensive definition of the Middle East and North Africa region to include some of the members of the Arab League (Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen) in addition to Iran, Israel/Occupied territories, and Turkey.
The medium of instruction is English. This means that lectures and seminars will be given in English and that examinations (including the master's thesis) will be in English.
Programme structure
In the first year of the programme (terms 1 and 2), you will take courses that introduce the main themes of the programme, along with training in research methods. In the second year (terms 3 and 4), you will have the opportunity to tailor your education: in term 3, through an internship, exchange studies, or elective courses; and in term 4, by writing your master’s thesis.
Term 1
- Introduction to Middle Eastern Studies, 15 credits
- Designing Research in Social Sciences, 7.5 credits
- Methods in Contemporary Middle Eastern Studies, 7.5 credits
Term 2
- Middle Eastern Studies: Theory and Society, 15 credits
- Elective courses in research methods and/or theory of science, 15 credits
Term 3
Elective courses, internship or exchange studies, 30 credits
Term 4
Master's thesis, 30 credits
For further information on these courses, please visit our .
What happens after the programme?
After completing the Master of Science Programme in Politics and Society in the Contemporary Middle East, you will acquire a Master of Science Degree in Middle Eastern Studies (120 credits).
This programme provides a basis for third-cycle (PhD) studies as well as professional careers in areas such as diplomacy, aid and development work, work linked to migration, integration and societal development, as well as educational and journalistic work with a connection to the Middle Eastern and diasporic contexts. You will be given ample opportunities for developing your intellectual capacities, expanding your skills and competencies, building up your network, as well as preparing for your life after your master's studies.
For further information, please refer to our or send us an email at master [at] sam [dot] lu [dot] se (master[at]sam[dot]lu[dot]se).
Programme sheets
Applications will open on the
2025-10-16
When to apply
Learn more about our application periods and when to apply for studies at 51ÖØ¿ÚÁÔÆæ.
Contact
Programme Coordinator
Email: master [at] sam [dot] lu [dot] se
Requirements and selection
Entry requirements
- A Bachelor’s degree with a major (i.e. at least 90 ECTS credits) in a Social Sciences discipline or in History, Economic History, Economic Development, Area Studies, or equivalent.
- English course 6 (advanced proficiency).
Selection criteria
English language requirements
Most of 51ÖØ¿ÚÁÔÆæ’s programmes require English Level 6 (unless otherwise stated under 'Entry requirements'). This is the equivalent of an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 90. There are several ways to prove your English language proficiency – check which proof is accepted at the University Admissions in Sweden website. All students must prove they meet English language requirements by the document deadline, in order to be considered for admission.
Country-specific requirements
Check if there are any country-specific eligibility rules for you to study Bachelor's or Master's studies in Sweden:
Apply
Start Autumn Semester 2026
Day-time Lund, full time 100%
In English
Study period
28 August 2026 - 4 June 2028
Application
Will open for applications 2025-10-16
How to apply
51ÖØ¿ÚÁÔÆæ uses a national application system run by University Admissions in Sweden. It is only possible to apply during the application periods.
Step 1: Apply online
- Check that you meet the entry requirements of the programme or course you are interested in (refer to the section above on this webpage).
- Start your application – go to the University Admissions in Sweden website where you create an account and select programmes/courses during the application period.
- Rank your programme/course choices in order of preference and submit them before the application deadline.
Step 2: Submit documents
- Read about how to document your eligibility and how to submit your documents at the University Admissions in Sweden website. Follow any country-specific document rules for Master's studies or Bachelor's studies
- Get all your documents ready:
- official transcripts and high school diploma (Bachelor's applicants)
- official transcripts and degree certificate or proof that you are in the final year of your Bachelor's (Master's applicants)
- passport/ID (all applicants) and
- proof of English proficiency (all applicants).
- Prepare programme-specific documents if stated in the next paragraph on this webpage.
- Upload or send all required documents to University Admissions before the document deadline.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable – refer to the section below on this webpage) before the document deadline.
* Note that the process is different if you are applying as an exchange student or as a part of a cooperation programme (such as Erasmus+).
* If you have studied your entire Bachelor's programme in Sweden and all of your academic credits are in Ladok, you do not have to submit transcripts or your diploma when applying for a Master's programme. However, there may still be other documents you need to submit! See the link below.
* Svensk student?
Programme-specific documents
Statement of Purpose: In addition to the general supporting documents specified on the University Admissions website, all applicants for the Master of Arts programme in Politics and Society of the Contemporary Middle East are asked to submit a statement of purpose written in English. It should not exceed 800 words. Be sure that your complete name, the name of the Master's programme and your application number are visible on this document.
What to include in your statement of purpose when applying for the programme in Politics and Society of the Contemporary Middle East:
- What are your reasons for applying for this programme? In what ways do you expect to contribute to the programme? What do you expect to get out of it?
- Which country/countries of the Middle East are you interested in and what themes would you want to explore? How would you go about doing that empirically and theoretically?
- What previous experience do you have with the Middle East? Do you speak a regional language (Arabic, Farsi, Hebrew or Turkish)?
This document should be submitted to , in addition to the general supporting documents specified above. When applying for several programmes, please write a separate statement of purpose for each programme.
Tuition fees
Non-EU/EEA citizens
Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 270 000
First payment: SEK 67 500
Citizens of a country outside of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland are required to pay tuition fees. You pay one instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each semester.
Tuition fees, payments and exemptions
EU/EEA citizens and Switzerland
There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.
Application fee
If you are required to pay tuition fees, you are generally also required to pay an application fee of SEK 900 when you apply at the University Admissions in Sweden website. You pay one application fee regardless of how many programmes or courses you apply to.
*Note that there are no tuition or application fees for exchange students or doctoral/PhD students, regardless of their nationality.
Scholarships & funding
51ÖØ¿ÚÁÔÆæ Global Scholarship programme
The 51ÖØ¿ÚÁÔÆæ Global Scholarship programme is a merit-based and selective scholarship targeted at top academic students from countries outside the EU/EEA.
Within the framework of the 51ÖØ¿ÚÁÔÆæ Global Scholarship programme, the University also offers the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Scholarship targeted at top academic students from selected African research universities.
Swedish Institute Scholarships
The Swedish Institute offers scholarships to international students applying for studies in Sweden at Master's level.
Country-specific scholarships and funding options
51ÖØ¿ÚÁÔÆæ has agreements with scholarship organisations and funding bodies in different countries, which may allow applicants to apply for funding or scholarships in their home countries for their studies at 51ÖØ¿ÚÁÔÆæ.
External scholarships
Testimonials
Meet our student ambassador Santeri
Read his testimonial and chat with him via Unibuddy.
"I’m learning from some of the best minds in the field"
Ulkar from Azerbaijan
"Improving my skills in debating, thinking and critically analysing"
Firat from Turkey