Overview

The Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures B.A. at the University of California, Berkeley provides an expansive exploration of the languages, literatures, and histories of the Middle East from antiquity to the present day. Students engage with the diverse cultural heritage of the region, spanning from ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt to the contemporary Islamic, Christian, and Jewish traditions. The curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking and transdisciplinary research skills.

Why Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures at University of California, Berkeley?

The programme stands out for its integration of cutting-edge technology and digital research methods within the humanities. Students benefit from the university's exceptional resources, including the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology, which houses one of the most significant collections of ancient Egyptian artifacts. The department’s interdisciplinary approach allows for collaborative discovery across fields such as art history, linguistics, and political science.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 25602 per semester
National fee: USD 25602 per semester
Local fee: USD 6801 per semester

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is structured around core foundational knowledge and specialised concentrations in languages or regional cultures. Modules may include:

Ancient Egypt & Mesopotamia
Modern Middle East
Arabic
Hebrew
Persian
Turkish
Modern Greek
Sumerian
Akkadian

Careers with Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures

Graduates are well-prepared for diverse professional paths and advanced academic study. The analytical and linguistic skills gained through the programme are highly valued in international service, law, and education. Many alumni pursue careers in foreign affairs, non-governmental organisations, and research institutions. The degree also provides a robust foundation for those entering the fields of archaeology, museum curation, and comparative literature.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Middle Eastern Worlds: Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia

Middle Eastern Worlds: The Modern Middle East

Media Arabic

Modern Arabic Prose

Modern Arabic Poetry

Arabic Historical and Geographical Texts

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-18 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-01 00:00:00

Language

English

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

49 SCH

49-51

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Berkeley, United States

Disciplines

Middle Eastern studies View 144 other Bachelors in Middle Eastern studies in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Students who apply to Berkeley should meet the following minimum requirements:

Meet the A-G subject course requirements. (Review the A-G Policy Resource Guide)

Have a 3.0 GPA in A-G courses taken in the 10th and 11th grade years. (3.4 GPA for non-residents)

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

51204 USD / year

≈ 51204 USD / year
Out-of-State

51204 USD / year

≈ 51204 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

13602 USD / year

≈ 13602 USD / year

Additional Details

Non-resident: Tuition: $6,801.00 + Non-resident Supplemental Tuition $18,801.00.

Living costs

Berkeley

United States

1750 - 2820 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Additional Details

Living costs

Berkeley

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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