Programs/Master/Humanities, social sciences, communication and arts
Master

Middle Eastern Studies

★ StudyPath verdict
7.5/10
Best for students interested in a solid Dutch-taught programme with good practical focus; limited English info may require additional research.
Tuition · Intl
€19,900
EU: €2,694/year · click ↗
Duration
1 year
60 ECTS
Start
Sep 26
apply by May 26
Language
English
IELTS 6.5+
Accred.
NVAO
NVAO 2021
Admission
Open
no intake cap
Enrolled/yr
70
DUO →0% ↗
Intl. %
?
no data yet
S:F ratio
25:1
institution-wide ↗
Min. English
6.5
IELTS required
Entry route
Bachelor
6 direct routes ↗
Satisfaction
4.6/5
NSE 2026 ↗
Employment
?
no data yet
Median salary
€3,124
/mo gross · field ↗
Alumni
?
no data yet
↗ Real values are sourced; tiles marked “?” aren’t collected yet · Enrolled/yr is live from DUO · Satisfaction/outcomes are live from StudiekeuzedatabaseLast sync: 26 Jun 2026
About this program
Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Yemen – conflicts and power struggles in the Middle East are daily news. Do you want to deepen your expertise on the region and its conflicts and meet the important societal demand for knowledge and insights in the Middle East? Then join our Master's programme Middle Eastern Studies in Groningen.The Middle East remains one of the most dynamic and consequential regions in the world. From the war in Gaza and ongoing conflicts in Syria and Yemen, to political upheavals in Lebanon, Iran, and Tunisia, and shifting alliances involving Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Israel — the region is at the heart of today's global challenges. Studying the Middle East means engaging with critical questions about power, identity, religion, resources, and resilience. Our MA program offers students the tools to understand these complexities through history, politics, and culture, preparing them for impactful careers in policy, journalism, diplomacy, cultural organizations, academia and beyond.The one-year Master's programme in Groningen focuses on contemporary developments in the Middle East, with particular emphasis on the theme of conflicts and coexistence. The programme is interdisciplinary and research-driven, using insights from fields such as International Relations, Religious Studies and Anthropology to help you to understand this highly dynamic and
Institution’s own description (HOVI via Studiekeuzedatabase)
English60 ECTSMaster of ArtsField area: Language & CultureSector: Taal en CommunicatieCode of Conduct (intl.)Full-timeMaster
Teaching formats
Group discussionIndividual assignmentLectureLiterature studyResearchResearch proposalSelf-studySeminar
About University of Groningen
Founded in 1614, the University of Groningen is the second oldest university in the Netherlands with over 33,000 students. Known for its vibrant student city atmosphere (1 in 4 residents is a student), excellent research output, and 4 Nobel Prize laureates including Ben Feringa (Chemistry 2016).
Living in Groningen
Student cost of living
Rent · room
€450/mo
Monthly total
€800–€1,400
Cost of living
Medium
Population
234k

Young, vibrant, and welcoming. Groningen has a laid-back northern Dutch charm combined with the energy of a true student city. The compact city center is easy to navigate by bike, and the local community is known for being friendly and open to international students.

View city guide →
Specializations
Tracks from HOVI
Master's placementSpecialisation
A placement during this Master is recommended. It is your responsibility to find a placement yourself, but the Office for Student Affairs can offer help with this where necessary.
Tutorial (10 EC)Specialisation
Research oriented
Source: HOVI via Studiekeuzedatabase
Curriculum
Course structure by year
?No curriculum data yet
Career outcomes
Graduate surveys · field-group level
Very good job-market outlookfield: niet westerse talen en culturen
Median starting salary (field)€3,124/mo gross
Months to a substantial job10.5
Permanent contract35%
Field-group estimates from national graduate surveys via Studiekeuzedatabase — not measured per programme
Progression & cohort
Official register statistics
Complete this degree72%
Women among first-years56%
Say workload is “just right”67%
Official register statistics (1cijferHO · 2025) via Studiekeuzedatabase
Student voices
National Student Survey (NSE) — first-party reviews coming
4.6/5overall satisfaction · NSE 2026 · 9 respondents
Content & set-up4.4
Teachers4.6
Involvement & contact4.6
Study guidance4.3
Testing & assessment4.2
Career preparation3.4
Teachers' English4.9
Would choose again4.6
Source: Nationale Studenten Enquête via Studiekeuzedatabase (Studiekeuze123/LCSK)
Application timeline
Application deadline
2026-05-01
Non-EU deadline
2026-05-01
Application deadline
2027-05-01
Non-EU deadline
2027-05-01
Application deadline
2028-05-01
Upcoming open days
Open day
27 Nov 2026
Open dayonline
7 Dec 2026
Open day
12 Mar 2027
Open dayonline
15 Mar 2027
Admissions
Minimum language scores · from StudyInNL
  • IELTS: 6.5
  • TOEFL iBT: 90
Internships
?No data yet
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