Islamic, Middle Eastern and North African Studies University of Leeds

Overview

Students in Islamic, Middle Eastern and North African Studies program at University of Leeds develop your study of Islam, one of the most influential and widely practised religions in the world, and a subject of strategic importance both in the global context and in modern Britain. You’ll also learn about contemporary relevant issues of the Middle East and North Africa and explore themes such as cultural identity, sexuality, gender and race. The course gives you the opportunity to study several diverse fields, such as area studies, humanities (religious studies, history, literature, performance) and social science. It also includes the opportunity to study languages such as Arabic and Persian.

You’ll build your knowledge through a wide range of topics and pioneering approaches such as Islamic history and religion through the female lens, postcolonialism, decoloniality and Critical Muslim Studies (which has been pioneered at the University of Leeds). In addition to compulsory modules on key issues and themes, you’ll also choose from a range of optional modules such as Arab culture, politics, performance, Qur’anic Studies and Islamic law.

Alongside gaining linguistic, cultural and historical knowledge, you’ll also develop transferable skills to become a resilient and adaptable graduate. You'll enhance your ability to be self-reflective and critical and to become a considered, informed thinker.

Career opportunities

Your study of society and culture is valuable preparation for employment in a multicultural, multinational environment. Leeds is the 4th most targeted university in the UK by graduate recruiters (The Graduate Market in 2023) and our graduates have pursued careers across the globe and in a variety of sectors including:

• business and finance
• Islamic banking and finance
• government departments and the Civil Service
• not-for-profit organisations
• education
• consultancy
• global