Doctor of Philosophy in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at University of Cambridge

This PhD degree is offered at the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies to students who wish to study Chinese Studies, East Asian Studies, Korean Studies, Japanese Studies, Hebrew Studies, and Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies (Arabic or Persian). Our researchers are engaged in internationally recognised work in the history, literature, linguistics, social anthropology, sociology, politics, and contemporary culture of the Middle East, North Africa, China, Japan, and the two Koreas. In addition, the work of several staff members crosses traditional boundaries, both geographical and subject-based.

Faculty: School of Arts and Humanities  |  Department: Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies  |  Duration: 3-4 years full-time; 4-7 years part-time  |  Study mode: full-time  |  Intake: January 2027, April 2027, October 2027, January 2028, April 2028  |  Location: Cambridge, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

In the third term (Easter) of the first year, students submit a PhD progress examination, which usually consists of a critical essay and a general statement about progress to date and the likely course of their future research. At the end of the programme, students submit a PhD thesis, followed by a viva (oral examination). Thesis / Dissertation The PhD thesis must not exceed 80,000 words, exclusive of footnotes, appendices, and bibliography, and must be subject to an overall word limit of 100,000 words, exclusive of bibliography.

Official programme page