History of Art and Architecture of the Islamic Middle East and Intensive Language (Arabic)

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 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 are ranked 13th in the UK for Modern Languages (QS World University Rankings 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
• Internships, field-trips, museum and storage visits, talks by curators, artists and other practitioners.