single degree

Bachelor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies

A single three year undergraduate award offered by the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences and ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences XX

BMECAS
  • Length 3 year full-time
  • Minimum 144 Units
Admission requirements
  • Mode of delivery
    • In Person
  • Field of Education
    • Political Science
  • Academic contact
  • Length 3 year full-time
  • Minimum 144 Units
Admission requirements
  • Mode of delivery
    • In Person
  • Field of Education
    • Political Science
  • Academic contact

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies requires completion of 144 units, of which:


A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses


The 144 units must include:

24 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

MEAS1001 Introduction to the Modern Middle East 

MEAS1002 Islam: History and Institutions 

MEAS3001 Gallipoli: History and National Imagination 

MEAS3002 Gender and Culture in Iran and the Middle East

24 units from completion of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies courses from the following list:

ANIP3003 Australian National Internships Program Internship A

BUSI2024 Dynamics of Business in the Middle East

MEAS2000 Iranian History and Culture

MEAS2001 New States of Eurasia: Emerging Issues in Politics and Security

MEAS2002 Turkish History: Ottoman State to Modern Turkey

MEAS2003 Modern Turkey: History, Culture and Regional Relations

MEAS2004 Turkish Politics and Foreign Policy

MEAS2105 The Political Economy of the Middle East

POLS2031 Politics in the Middle East

POLS2069 Politics in Russia

POLS2070 Politics in Central Asia

Either:

48 units from completion of one of the following language majors:

Arabic

Persian

Or:

24 units from completion of one of the following language minors 

Arabic

Persian

 

24 units from completion of one of the following:

an in-country study abroad component/exchange in the same language as the minor

an internship undertaken in the same language as the minor

 

Or:

24 units from completion of one of the following advanced language minors: 

Advanced Arabic Minor

Advanced Persian Minor

 

24 units from completion of courses from the following majors, minors and courses:

Advanced Arabic Minor

Advanced Persian Minor

ANU Leadership and Research Minor

Applied Linguistics Minor

Arabic Major

Asian Studies Major

Forensic Linguistics Minor

History Major

Human Rights Major

International Communication Major

International Relations Major

Linguistics Major

Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies Major

Persian Major

Political Science Major

Russian Minor

Social Research Methods Minor

TURK1001 Elementary Turkish A

TURK1002 Elementary Turkish B

48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

 

Majors

Minors

Elective Study

Once you have met the program requirements of your degree, you may have enough electives to complete an additional elective majorminor or specialisation.

Study Options

Year 1 48 units MEAS1001 Introduction to the Modern Middle East 6 units Arabic/Persian Major or Arabic/Persian/Russian Minor Course 6 units Elective Course or Arabic/Persian/Russian Minor Course 6 units Elective Course 6 units
MEAS1002 Islam : History and Institutions 6 units Arabic/Persian Major or Arabic/Persian/Russian Minor Course 6 units Elective Course or Arabic/Persian/Russian Minor Course 6 units Elective Course 6 units
Year 2 48 units Middle Eastern & Central Asian Studies Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units Arabic/Persian Major or Arabic/Persian/Russian Minor Course 6 units Elective Course or Arabic/Persian/Russian Minor Course 6 units Elective Course 6 units
Middle Eastern & Central Asian Studies Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units Arabic/Persian Major or Arabic/Persian/Russian Minor Course 6 units Elective Course or Arabic/Persian/Russian Minor Course 6 units Elective Course 6 units
Year 3 48 units Middle Eastern & Central Asian Studies Major 2000/3000 Course 6 units Middle Eastern & Central Asian Studies Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units Elective Course or Arabic/Persian Major Course 6 units Elective Course or Arabic/Persian Major Course 6 units
Middle Eastern & Central Asian Studies Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units Middle Eastern & Central Asian Studies Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units Elective Course or Arabic/Persian Major Course 6 units Elective Course or Arabic/Persian Major Course 6 units

Admission Requirements

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry.


In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors.

Domestic applicants

? School leavers will be assessed on:

• the minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) requirement or equivalent for this program,

• the co-curricular or service requirement, and

• any program specific requirements that are listed below.

? Non school leavers:

a) will be assessed on:

• the minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) requirement or equivalent for this program,

b) Non school leavers who:

• complete a recognised Australian (or equivalent) post-secondary qualification, or

• complete one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) of an Australian (or equivalent) degree qualification, or

• complete an approved tertiary preparation course/program without undertaking any further study,

will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. Non school leavers must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.

 

International applicants

Applicants who complete a recognised secondary/senior secondary/post-secondary/tertiary sequence of study will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. A list of commonly observed international qualifications and corresponding admission requirements can be found here. Applicants must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.

Diversity factors & English language proficiency 

As Australia's national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe. If required, competitive ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency.

ATAR:
80
QLD Band:
10
International Baccalaureate:
29

Adjustment Factors

ANU offers rank adjustments for a number of adjustment factors, including for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. Rank adjustments are applied to Bachelor degree applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 points (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustments, maximum 10 equity-based adjustments and maximum 5 Elite Athlete adjustments) will be awarded. Please note that Adjustment Factors vary and do not apply to a select few programs,  please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees

Annual indicative fee for international students
$43,344.00

For further information on International Tuition Fees see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/international-tuition-fees

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

Immerse yourself in a remarkable and complex part of the world.

The Middle East and Central Asia, predominately Muslim States and Societies, are rich in history, geographical wonders, political turmoil, and socio-cultural influence. The Middle East ranges from Turkey and Iran in West Asia to the Arab heartland as far as Morocco in North Africa. Central Asia is comprised of Afghanistan and the former Muslim republics of the Soviet.

They are areas of constant domestic and international interest as events often unfold which have global relevance and significance.

This program will take you through the topics, debates and developments in the Middle East and Central Asia. You will study the socio-cultural, political, historical and economic structures of these regions and develop a comprehensive knowledge of their relationship to global socio-cultural, political and economic trends.

To fully engage with the history and culture of the regions, you can also study a Middle Eastern or Central Asian language. There is also the opportunity to undertake a highly competitive research project through the Australian National Internships Program (ANIP).

Career Options

Graduates from ANU have been rated as Australia's most employable graduates and among the most sought after by employers worldwide.

The latest Global Employability University Ranking, published by the Times Higher Education, rated ANU as Australia's top university for getting a job for the fourth year in a row.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates may find work in policy development, foreign affairs, government, private business, tourism, trade, journalism and many other fields.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Understand and evaluate historical and current events and developments that have shaped the Middle East and Central Asia,

  2. Identify and critique the contemporary socio-cultural and political systems of the Middle East and Central Asia,

  3. Analyse current debates relating to regional cooperation and unity in the context of tensions in traditions,

  4. Analyse the global significance of events and developments in the Middle East and Central Asia, and

  5. Communicate in a Middle Eastern or Central Asian language. 

Inherent Requirements

Information on inherent requirement is currently not available for this program

Single degree

Three years full-time (144 units) - four courses per semester (24 units)
A maximum of 60 units of 1000 level courses
A Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies major (48 units)
Either:  One of the following majors (48units):
•    Arabic
•    Persian
Or:  Two of the following minors (24 units):
•    Arabic
•    Persian
•    Russian
Eight Electives (48 units) from across the ANU






Double degree

This degree requires 96 units
A maximum of 36 units of 1000 level courses
A Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies major (48 units)
Either:  One of the following majors (48units):
•    Arabic
•    Persian
Or:  Two of the following minors (24 units):
•    Arabic
•    Persian
•    Russian

About this degree

Single degree
In a Bachelor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies program you will study a total of 144 units. Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 24 (6-unit) courses across your whole degree.
You'll need to take the Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies major (8 courses) and either two minors of your choice from Arabic, Persian, and Russian (8 courses) or a major in either Arabic or Persian.
You'll also get to choose eight electives from courses right across ANU. You can use these electives to try a range of courses or to take a major or minor in a non-Arts subject.

Double degree
In a Bachelor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies degree program you will study a total of 96 units. Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 16 courses across your whole degree. However, for each semester you are likely to take 2 courses from your Bachelor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies degree and then 2 courses from the other half of your double degree – still a total of 4 courses a semester.
You'll need to take the Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies major (8 courses) and either two minors of your choice from Arabic, Persian, and Russian (8 courses) or a major in either Arabic or Persian.

Enrolment Status

While it's possible to enrol in fewer courses per semester, which is called studying part-time, it will take you longer to finish your program and get your degree. If you are an international student you must always be full-time.
A course (usually 6 units) can only be counted towards one major or minor.
You need to enrol in courses for both First Semester and Second Semester.
You can’t study more than four courses (24 units) per semester, eight for the year.
You need to enrol in courses for a Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies major
You need to enrol in courses for at least one potential Arts minor or a second potential Arts major
You may take 1000-level courses later in your program. But remember you can’t count more than ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your single degree or six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your Bachelor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian half of the double degree

Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses

When you enrol for the first time you will study ‘1000-level’ courses. These courses have ‘1’ as the first number in their course code, such as ARTS1234.

Majors and Minors

See available majors and minors for this program

How do I choose courses for my major?
You need to choose two courses from the Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies major.  Both the courses listed below are compulsory for the major:
•    MEAS1001 – Introduction to the Modern Middle East   First Semester
•    MEAS1002 – Islam: History and Institutions    Second Semester

How do I choose courses for my additional major or my two minors?
•    If your chosen major or minor is Arabic and you are a beginner you would enrol in the following courses:
     ARAB1002 - Introductory Arabic A (Semester 1)
     ARAB1003 - Introductory Arabic B (Semester 2)
•    If your chosen major or minor is Persian and you are a beginner you would enrol in the following courses:
     PERS1001 - Introductory Persian A (Semester 1)
     PERS1002 - Introductory Persian B (Semester 2)
•    If your chosen minor is Russian and you would enrol in the following courses:
     RUSS3002 - Reading Russian for Academic Purposes I (Semester 1)
     RUSS3003 - Reading Russian for Academic Purposes II (Semester 2)
•    If you have studied your chosen language previously you will need to take a Language Placement Test to determine the level of courses you should enrol in for 2016.  Following the placement test you will be given a permission code from the relevant Centre/School to allow you enrol in the correct level of you chosen language.

Electives

Single Degree
While you only need to enrol in courses for one major and either two minors or a second major, you can use your electives to enrol in 1000-level courses for other Arts majors or minors to make up the balance of your courses and that way you keep your options open.

Study Options

Bachelor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies - Single Degree

This is a typical study pattern for the first year of a student undertaking a Bachelor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies.

Study Options

Year 1 48 units MEAS1001 Introduction to the Modern Middle East 6 units Major or Minor Course 6 units Elective 1000 level Course 6 units Elective 1000 level Course 6 units
MEAS1002 Islam : History and Institutions 6 units Major or Minor Course 6 units Elective 1000 level Course 6 units Elective 1000 level Course 6 units

Bachelor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies - Double Degree

Study Options

Year 1 48 units MEAS1001 Introduction to the Modern Middle East 6 units Major or Minor 1000 level Course 6 units Degree B 6 units Degree B 6 units
MEAS1002 Islam : History and Institutions 6 units Major or Minor 1000 leve Course 6 units Degree B 6 units Degree B 6 units
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