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:

12 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

MEAS1001 Introduction to the Modern Middle East 

MEAS1002 Islam: History and Institutions 

12 units from the completion of two courses from the following list:

MEAS3003 Critical Perspectives on Arabic culture

MEAS3004 Iran in World Politics

POLS3070 Politics in Central Asia

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

MEAS2003 Modern Turkey: History, Politics and Culture 

MEAS2105 The Political Economy of the Middle East

POLS2031 Politics in the Middle East

POLS2069 Politics in Russia

MEAS2006 Gallipoli: A transnational history

MEAS2005 Gender and Culture in Iran and the Middle East

MEAS3005 Modern Iraq: State, Politics and Society 

MEAS3006 Turkish History: Ottoman State to Modern Turkey

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

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 major, minor or specialisation.

Study Options

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 guarantee entry into the program.

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.

The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs and change admission requirements as needed.

Domestic applicants

Before applying for a program, you should review the general information about domestic undergraduate admission to ANU programs and how to apply, and the program-specific information below.

• Applicants with recent secondary education are assessed on:
  • completion of Australian Year 12 or equivalent, and the minimum Selection Rank (from their academic qualifications, plus any adjustment factors) requirement for this program; and
  • co-curricular or service requirement (applies to applicants who complete secondary education in the year prior to commencing at ANU); and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with higher education study are assessed on:
  • previous higher education studies; or secondary education results if completed less than one full-time equivalent year (1.0 FTE) of a degree; or the result from a bridging or preparatory course; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are assessed on:
  • previously completed VET qualifications at AQF level 5 or higher (i.e. a Diploma or above); or secondary education results if the VET qualification is not completed; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with work and life experience are assessed on:
  • ATAR or equivalent if secondary education was completed; or the Special Adult Entry Scheme (SAES); or work experience; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements 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.

Further information is available for English Language Requirements for Admission

Adjustment Factors

Adjustment factors are additional points added to an applicant's Selection Rank (for example an applicant's ATAR). ANU offers adjustment factors based on performance and equity principles, such as for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. 

Selection Rank adjustments are granted in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustment factors and maximum 10 equity-based adjustment factors) can be awarded. 

You may be considered for adjustment factors if you have:

• applied for an eligible ANU Bachelor degree program
• undertaken Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate
• achieved an ATAR or equivalent at or above 70
• not previously attempted tertiary study.

Please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

Fee Information

All students are required to pay the Services and amenities fee (SA Fee)

The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.

For further information on Fees and Payment please see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments

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.

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

Further Information

Students enrolled in BMECA will be assigned an academic mentor from the pool of academic staff at the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies. The mentoring program ensures that academic support is provided to every student enrolled in the program. It is designed to provide academic support to BMECA students and include them in CAIS’ intellectual community through academic and social gatherings. This is an optional form of assistance and students can opt out at any point of their degree.