Overview:
The Cambridge Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES) course offers an opportunity to explore contemporary global cultures through a comprehensive study of language, culture, and history. This stretches from Japan to Morocco and encompasses classical times to the present day.
AMES provides a flexible curriculum that doesn’t require prior knowledge of Asian or Middle Eastern subjects.
You can also choose from languages like Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Hebrew, and Persian. Each language offers a unique perspective on their respective regions. Furthermore, these courses equip you with in-depth understanding and practical skills that are valuable across various career paths.
The foundation of the AMES course is the acquisition of language skills. In the initial two years, you build a strong linguistic base. In the subsequent two years, you delve deeper into language fluency and comprehension.
Beyond language, the curriculum covers diverse topics such as history, literature, religion, anthropology, linguistics, and cinema.
An exciting aspect of the course is the opportunity to spend the third year abroad. This is where you can immerse yourself in the culture you’re studying and enhance your language skills.
Whether you opt for Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Hebrew, or Persian, this course opens doors to vibrant and dynamic societies. It helps you discover global cultures and prepare for a wide range of career possibilities.
| UCAS Code | TT46 |
| Minimum Entrance Requirements | A-levels – A*AAIB – 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| Admission Test for Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at Cambridge | All Colleges that offer the course will ask students to take an assessment if you are combining the course with a foreign language. See more information on the Cambridge College Admission Assessments page. The Modern and Medieval Languages Admissions Assessment comprises: a discursive response in Foreign Language lasting 40 minutes and a discursive response in English lasting 20 minutes. See the Modern and Medieval Languages Admissions Assessment Specification for more information and a Modern and Medieval Languages Admissions Assessment Past Paper here. |
| Subject Requirements – Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at Cambridge | an A Level/IB Higher Level in the European language (if you want to combine with a European language) No requirement for Asian and Middle Eastern languages as they are taught from scratch. English (language or literature), History, a language (ancient or modern) would be useful. |
| Extras things admission tutors look for | Submit examples of written work. Furthermore, some may be asked by their College to do some reading in advance of their interview |
| Duration | 4 years – BA (Hons) (Year 3 spent abroad) |
| Admissions Statistics | Applications per place: 3 Number accepted: 54 |
| What is Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at Cambridge? | The Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES) course at Cambridge University is a programme that explores contemporary global cultures. This is done through the in-depth study of language, culture, and history. It also offers students a comprehensive understanding of regions from Japan to Morocco. It also spans classical times to the present day. AMES equips students with practical skills and knowledge that are highly versatile and applicable in various careers. The course also focuses on developing language proficiency, cultural insights, and in-depth understanding of the chosen region. It also provides opportunities for immersive learning experiences abroad, allowing students to gain practical skills for a globalised world. |
| Cambridge Colleges that offer Asian and Middle Eastern Studies | Available at all Colleges |
| Structure of the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at Cambridge | You can generally expect 12-14 hours of teaching each week. Year 1 In Year 1 (Part IA), you study your chosen language(s) intensively, in both written and spoken forms. You also take introductory papers on East Asia or the Middle East, depending on the language(s) you’re studying. Year 2 In Year 2 (Part IB), you continue to study your chosen language(s). Classical language is also compulsory for those taking Chinese or Japanese (for one term in Japanese). In Japanese, this includes half-papers (one-term-long papers) to allow for even greater choice. You also choose from a number of optional papers, some borrowed from other courses. Year 3 & 4 (Part II) In Year 3, you spend at least eight months abroad developing your language skills and your understanding of the culture you’re studying. In Year 4, you write a dissertation of 12,000 words and take four further papers, including at least one advanced language paper. |
| Common Careers after Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at Cambridge | Career choices of graduates include: Media Business and commerce Civil Service (especially the Foreign Office) Tourism Teaching overseas Academia NGOs Banking Marketing Law |
