History of Art and Architecture of the Islamic Middle East

The MA History of Art and Architecture of the Islamic Middle East programme covers an area stretching from Islamic Spain through the Arab countries, Turkey, Iran and Central Asia in diverse historical periods.

The Islamic Middle East has given rise to an impressive material culture that continues through to the present. This programme offers you an unmatched opportunity to study particular regions or categories of art, including 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.

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

• SOAS is ranked top 30 in the UK for Arts and Humanities (QS World University Rankings 2025)
• SOAS is ranked 7th in the UK for African and Middle Eastern Studies (Complete University Guide 2025)
• 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