Key information
Duration
- Full-time
- 48 months
Start dates & application deadlines
- Starting January 2027
Apply anytime.
- Starting September 2027
Apply anytime.
There are no specific deadlines for applications, though the majority of students start in September.
Language
English
- TOEFL® IBT — 100
- IELTS — 7
Delivered
On Campus
Campus Location
- Exeter, United Kingdom
Disciplines
- Political Science
- Middle Eastern studies
Overview
Within Middle East Politics MPhil/PhD programme from The University of Exeter a purpose-built space, it brings together anthropologists, archaeologists, literary scholars, linguists, political scientists, historians, sociologists and scholars of religion. Researchers collaborate within the Institute, as well as within disciplinary networks at Exeter, alongside their contributions at national and international levels. We strongly believe that the presence of a variety of disciplines, along with geographic and temporal specialisms, within one building enriches the work we produce as a collective.
Key facts
- Staff and postgraduate research students are affiliated to one of our research centres, where they can share their research findings, participate in seminars, lectures and research projects.
- Postgraduates of the Middle East Politics programme from The University of Exeter have progressed on to a wide range of careers in the UK and internationally, helped by the reputation of the Institute. These positions span both the public and private spheres and have included academia, journalism, security and political roles.
- As a postgraduate at Exeter, you will be able to take advantage of the wealth of business contacts, support and training offered by our Career Zone.
- This includes our Postgraduate Researchers' Programme for research students which covers a range of topics to help you to succeed during your PhD and to act as a springboard for your research career.
Programme Structure
Courses include:
- Centre for Gulf Studies
- Centre for Persian and Iranian Studies
- Centre for Kurdish Studies
- European Centre for Palestine Studies
- Centre for the Study of Islam
- Centre for Islamic Archaeology
- Centre for Middle East Politics (forthcoming)
Admission requirements
Academic requirements
GPA — Upper Second Class
English requirements
- TOEFL® IBT — 100
- IELTS — 7
Other requirements
General requirements
- Our YouTube channel provides lots of helpful advice and information from staff and students about the PhD experience at Exeter.
- For all research degrees you will normally be required to have obtained or expect to obtain a first degree equivalent to at least a UK 2:1 Honours degree. You will need at least a 2:1 or its equivalent in order to be considered by any of the main funding bodies. For some programmes we also consider evidence of relevant personal, professional and educational experience.
- Where an applicant has taken or is taking, more than one academic qualification that meets our entry requirements, the University reserves the right to make an offer on the most recent academic qualification.
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are shown in AUD and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.
International
Applies to you. Non-residents. 44,368 AUD / year ≈ 23,500 GBP / year
Domestic
Applies to you. Citizens or residents. 9,346 AUD / year ≈ 4,950 GBP / year
Living costs
Exeter
United Kingdom
1,225-2,052 AUD / month
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Funding
Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Middle East Politics.
Available Scholarships
You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.
- Sanctuary Scholarship — Grant, Various benefits, Deadline 01 May 2027, The University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship — Grant, Various benefits, Deadline Anytime, The University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Sport Scholarship — Grant, 3000 GBP, Deadline 31 May 2027, The University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Bursary — Grant, 750 GBP, Deadline 31 May 2027, The University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Sport Performance Bursary — Grant, 3000 GBP, Deadline Not specified, The University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Alumni Family and Friends Discount — Grant, Various benefits, Deadline Not specified, The University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- University of Exeter Class Progression Scholarship — Grant, Various benefits, Deadline Anytime, The University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Mrs Bessie Rook Memorial Travel Scholarship — Grant, 2000 GBP, Deadline Not specified, The University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Anning-Morgan bursary — Grant, 2000 GBP, Deadline 07 Aug 2027, The University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Crediton Parish Church — Grant, 1000 GBP, Deadline Not specified, The University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- St Peter's Parish Church, Tiverton — Grant, 720 GBP, Deadline Not specified, The University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Fulbright U.S. Student Program — Grant, Various benefits, Deadline 07 Oct 2026, U.S. government
- ServiceScape Scholarship — Grant, 1000 USD, Deadline 30 Nov 2026, ServiceScape
- ACES Scholarships — Grant, 3500 USD, Deadline 15 Nov 2026, ACES Education Fund
- Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility — Grant, Various benefits, Deadline Not specified, OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation, Merit-based
- Scholarships for PhD Students — Grant, 19000 GBP, Deadline Not specified, Junhua Li, Merit-based
- Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship — Grant, Various benefits, Deadline 28 Feb 2027, Boustany Foundation, Merit-based
- Amberscholar Scholarship — Grant, 6000 USD, Deadline 31 Jan 2027, Amber Scholar, Merit-based
- Voice Talent Online Scholarship — Grant, 1000 USD, Deadline 01 Mar 2027, Voice Talent Online
- $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship — Grant, 1000 USD, Deadline 31 Oct 2026, IvyPanda, Merit-based
- Dream Chaser Scholarship — Grant, 1000 USD, Deadline 13 Jan 2027, Salvado Law, Merit-based
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids — Grant, 22500 GBP, Deadline Not specified, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
- Scholarship for students with disabilities — Grant, 3000 USD, Deadline 31 Dec 2026, Anonymous Hope Fund, Need-based
- CIAPS Commonwealth Scholarships for Postgraduate Professional Studies — Grant, 1000 USD, Deadline Not specified, CIAPS
- Grants of the Leopold Figl Foundation for students with residence in Lower Austria — Grant, Various benefits, Deadline 31 Dec 2026, Leopold Figl Foundation, Need-based
- The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship — Grant, 1500 USD, Deadline Not specified, IELTS from 6 to 9
- Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme — Grant, 12000 USD, Deadline 11 Jan 2027, The Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme