Asia and Middle East Studies (master's two years)

This master’s degree programme offers a combination of higher degree studies in the languages, cultures, societies and histories of Asia and the Middle East.

The programme allows you to continue your studies of the area and language you chose for your bachelor’s degree specialisation. UiO is the only university in Norway that offers this higher degree combination of Asian and Middle Eastern language and area studies. Most of the programme options build upon the languages skills acquired at the bachelor level. The sources you use for your thesis work should be in their original language.

Each programme option has compulsory courses which provide you with the theoretical and methodological basis for writing your master’s thesis. You may also acquire courses from other units at UiO or from other institutions, domestic or foreign. The courses must be relevant to the programme and should be selected in agreement with a subject teacher. Each student is free to choose the topic of his or her master’s thesis, but a teacher/tutor’s approval must be granted.
The master’s programme gives you multidisciplinary knowledge of the linguistic, cultural, historical and social conditions of a particular region.

The master’s thesis: Having completed the master’s thesis, the candidate will have learned how to work with scientific material methodically, critically and independently.

In the third semester you can choose to have an intership in a relevant organisation or company as part of your degree. You can also write your master's thesis in cooperation with an external partner. Through this you can get valuable contacts and network that can be useful when you apply for a job after graduation. You can also prepare for working life along the way by participating in career fairs, job search and interview workshops, and career counseling offered to students.