Asian & Middle Eastern Studies

Why choose Girton?

Girton has students from both Asian Studies and Middle Eastern studies, and enjoys the variety of students that come to study the languages. We are a small number of students, but the friendly atmosphere at Girton means all feel at home. The Director of Studies works closely with each student whatever the language they study.

Girton has a particular tradition of Hebrew studies, after the first lecturer in modern Hebrew was a Fellow here, and the current Director of Studies specialises in classical Hebrew. This gives Girton a unique position in Middle Eastern studies within the University.

Undergraduate information

Students may take a range or a combination of subjects, either in Asian Studies (Japanese, Chinese) or Middle Eastern Studies (Hebrew, Arabic, or Persian, or a combination of these). There is also the opportunity to study Middle Egyptian and Akkadian in the Human, Social and Political Sciences Tripos. Joint degrees are also possible with Modern and Medieval Languages, or Classics.

The degrees balance a high level of language work, in which students learn both the classical and the modern languages, with study of the literature, history and society of either East Asia or the Middle East.

Graduate information

In the Faculty graduates may study for an MPhil or PhD, and Girton has had students taking both degrees.

Research and post graduate students are admitted to the University by the Board of Graduate Studies. You must therefore apply centrally and not to the College, however you must be admitted to a College to be able to study at the University. To ensure that this is Girton you need to indicate this on your application form.

Career destinations

As with any Humanities degree, students have moved on to a wide range of careers. Students in AMES, though, are particularly valued for their linguistic skills, knowledge of particular geographic regions, and wider intellectual skills. The degree combines language learning with cultural sensitivity and critical analysis of history and literature, which are skills appealing to employers. In addition to areas such as banking, law, and publishing, students have also used their skills to work in journalism, charity, and politics.