MA Palestine Studies
Please note: This page is for 2027 entry. Click here for 2026 entry.
| UCAS code | 1234 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year full time 2 years part time |
| Entry year | 2026 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Typical offer | We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree or above (or equivalent). |
|---|---|
Why study MA Palestine Studies at Exeter?
- Equips you with the skills, sources and tools to study the Middle East, with a specific focus on Palestinian Studies
- A specialised, flexible programme which you can tailor to your particular interests and conduct independent research
- Our teaching places an emphasis not only on a nuanced understanding of Israel/Palestine but also on finding practical, real-world solutions to the issues
- The European Centre for Palestine Studies is a lively and supportive research community, where students have the opportunity to get involved in organising events
- Your knowledge and expertise in Israel/Palestine and the wider Middle East will be valued by public and private sector employers and open doors for further academic study
3rd in the UK for African & Middle Eastern Studies
Top 3 for student satisfaction in six out of seven themes
National Student Survey 2025
Home to Europe's most important research collection on the Arab world
Masters Excellence Scholarships available
Palestine Studies is a form of scholar-activism, committed to transformative change by bridging academic inquiry with advocacy, public engagement, and direct action.
I believe that knowledge and scholarship are tools for justice, decolonisation, and to imagine liberation. Rooted in the broader decolonial academic movement, our program actively challenges the ‘tourist agenda’ in research. To make research relevant and impactful, we are dedicated to amplifying native voices, confronting dominant narratives, and ensuring that scholarship contributes to social change.
Read more from Dr. Nadia Naser-Najjab
Dr. Nadia Naser-Najjab
MA Palestine Studies Programme Director
Entry requirements
We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree or above (or equivalent). We welcome students from any academic background.
Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.
Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course.
The required IELTS test scores for this course fall under Profile B1.
Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
Course content
The MA in Palestine Studies is an engaging Masters course that will equip you with the general research skills, sources and tools relevant to study of the Palestine issue within the historical, regional and international context. It focuses on the history, politics and culture of Palestine with a broader lens of the Middle East studies and Arab Studies.
The course is interdisciplinary and theoretically rich and will help you critically engage with debates to develop independent research. It bridges academia to lived realities to enable students challenge dominant narratives and advocate for justice.
Our core module, The Palestine Question: Past and Present, examines and analyses the impact of significant historical events on present day politics of Palestine-Israel. It examines to what extent the past is relevant to peace proposals and the two-state solution. You will understand what the past informs us about the influence of colonial powers in defining the future solutions. Palestinian leadership and resistance. Arab-Israeli relations.
The module introduces you to this rich literature in an engaging and critical manner, fitting post graduate studies. This is to allow you examine the recent development in the study of Israel and Palestine. Examining the impact of late 18th century events in Europe on Palestine will help you understand the present political situation. It allows you to become familiar with the various narratives on the history of the country and the influence recent conceptual and methodological developments had on the research on Palestine and Israel. The module will introduce you to Palestinian and Israeli scholars who apply conflict resolution theories and those who use settler colonialism theories to analyse, explain events and explore possible solutions. The Settler Colonial paradigm versus the National Conflict paradigm.
The modules below provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
Students must take 120 credits of compulsory modules, and 60 credits of optional modules. Students may take elective ARA3XXX modules up to 30 credits from RFQ Level 6 (final stage undergraduate).
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| MA Dissertation | 60 | |
| The Palestine Question: Past and Present | 30 | |
| Theorising the Middle East | 15 | |
| Dissertation Skills | 15 | |
ARAM027: MA Dissertation
This module will start with an introductory lecture by the module convenor who is also the tutor of all MA students of the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies and will work with you on finding a supervisor for your dissertation. Then you will produce your dissertation with the help of your supervisor and your research skills acquired during your programme including ARAM190 Research Methods Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies or ARAM233 Dissertation skills modules which area co-requisite for this module. This dissertation is the largest project and the culmination of your programme.
This module allows you to pursue an individual research project within your chosen field, building on the methodological and field-specific foundations covered in your 1st semester intensive methodology and core courses and continuing in your 2nd semester MA coursework. MA students will be expected to develop and demonstrate in their dissertation a mastery of relevant secondary sources in their field; to relate the appropriate standard methodological approaches and theoretical issues to their specific area of research; to demonstrate the originality and relevance of their research to wider issues related to their specific field; and to demonstrate their familiarity with the accepted requirements and standards for presentation of research in their chosen field. In addition, the dissertation will allow them to develop the broader learning outcomes specified below.
ARAM221: The Palestine Question: Past and Present
The Palestine question is still one of the most crucial feature of Modern Middle Eastern history and politics. It is also now a major research area, related to events in the past and present realities in the Middle East and beyond. Very few countries were so thoroughly researched academically as were Israel and Palestine.
This module introduces you to this rich literature in an engaging and critical manner, fitting post-graduate studies. The module allows you to examine the recent development in the study of Israel and Palestine. It allows you to become familiar with the various narratives on the history of the country and the influence recent conceptual and methodological developments had on the research on Palestine and Israel.
In addition, you will learn how to contextualise a case study within the wider debates about power and knowledge. Palestine is a textbook case study for the interaction between ideology and scholarly research. You will learn how to navigate between moral commitment, ideological orientations and academic acumen and professionalism.
ARAM232: Theorising the Middle East
This module introduces you in a multidisciplinary Area Studies department to a broad range of key theorists and theories whose work has underpinned scholarship in the fields of Anthropology, Political Science, Sociology, Critical Theory, History, Philosophy and Gender Studies. The module is framed around the idea of bridging theory and practice, through the systematic study of the work of a broad canon of theoretical writings, the analysis of the use of such theory in key works from Middle East Studies, and the reflective selection and application of theories and concepts in your assessed work.
The delivery of the module is designed so that it can be accessed by two distinct groups: PGT Masters students who will take the module as a credit-bearing component of their degree programmes and PGR PhD and MPhil students who will be able to access course materials and use them as a means to developing the theoretical bases of their doctorates in their first year of study.
ARAM233: Dissertation Skills
This module is intended to introduce you to general research skills, sources and tools relevant to the study of the Middle East, North Africa and the Muslim world in general from the perspectives of the social sciences and humanities. It is compulsory for all students on taught Masters courses in the IAIS and for those first year PhD students who are deemed by their supervisors to need methodological training. Otherwise there are no pre- or co-requisites. It consists of workshops introducing relevant methodologies for studying the Middle East, focusing in particular on how to write a dissertation. The course covers issues such as the structure of a research proposal, how to find a research question, the literature review, ethics, and how to receive and use constructive feedback.
This module is designed to develop the advanced skills you will need to undertake an MA in Middle East Studies, especially to research and write.
Postgraduate study in the social sciences includes both comprehension of research methods and the ability to use them yourself. This module exposes you to different types of methods within the social sciences, ranging from qualitative methods such as ethnography and participant observation to quantitative methods such as surveys. There is an emphasis on both good research design and ethical research, with opportunities for you to apply the techniques learned to your own research project.
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Optional Modules | ||
| From Home Lands to Host States: Migration, Displacement and Diaspora in the Middle East | 15 | |
| Nationalisms in the Middle East | 15 | |
| Armed Islamist Movements: Jihadism and Beyond | 15 | |
| Britain in the Middle East, 1798-1977 | 15 | |
| Gender, Sexuality and Violence in Palestine/Israel | 15 | |
| Queer Theory in a Global Context | 15 | |
| The Politics of Authoritarian Rule | 15 | |
| Violence and Revolution in the Modern Middle East | 15 | |
| State and Society in the Middle East | 30 | |
| Energy, Logistics, Infrastructure | 30 | |
| Ecological Struggles | 30 | |
| Independent Reading Course - Semester 1 | 15 | |
| Independent Reading Course - Semester 2 | 15 | |
| The Kurds: History and Politics | 30 | |
| Politics and Economics of the Middle East | 30 | |
| Israeli Peace Movements and Palestinian Resistance | 15 | |
| Transdisciplinary Collaborations for Creative Futures | 30 | |
| Mental Health in Social and Historical Context | 30 | |
Fees
2026/27 entry
UK fees per year:
£12,650 full-time; £6,325 part-time
International fees per year:
£25,550 full-time; £12,775 part-time
Scholarships
The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships. We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship
We are pleased to offer the University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship, a scholarship for University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship worth 20% of the cost of your first year tuition fees.
Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply.
Shireen Abu Akleh MA Scholarship in Palestine Studies
The Shireen Abu Akleh MA Scholarship 2026/27 recognises high academic achievement and ambition. The award amount is the full tuition fee plus maintenance of £18,000. This award is available to a Home or International fee status applicant who already holds an offer to study the MA Palestine Studies in the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter beginning in the 2026/27 academic year. The Scholarship is open to Palestinian candidates or who are Palestinian by descent. More information
Why study our MA in Palestine Studies?
The European Centre for Palestinian Studies (ECPS) continues to uphold and embody the principle of inclusive and free academic enquiry. Professor Ilan Pappé and Dr. Nadia Naser-Najjab, the current ECPS directors, want to pursue the effective decolonisation of education, collaborative and inclusive research practices, and the establishment of joint research networks that include students, (international and local) organisations, academics and activists. They both also work with ECPS students to organise events, liaise with international researchers, and lead workshops.
Students on the MA in Palestine Studies will be part of a world-leading and internationally recognised research institution that works with African-American and Indigenous activists to challenge dominant knowledge claims and enable the emergence, consolidation and development of marginalised voices, perspectives, and experiences. You will engage in a decolonisation of education rooted in an unrelenting rejection of western methodologies, and will critically interrogate associated representations on behalf of ‘objectivity’ and ‘universality’.
You’ll also engage and access alternative, and often marginal theoretical frameworks, such as settler colonial, queer, and feminist theories, benefitting from practical insights relevant to the media, policy, human rights, and legal (most notably international law) fields. You will draw upon the knowledge and experience of Middle Eastern Studies experts based in the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies (IAIS), along with three other University of Exeter disciplines (Politics, History, and Economics). Your studies will be enriched through access to outstanding research resources, including the (now mostly digitised) Arab World Documentation Unit (AWDU), a unique collection of primary and secondary resources on Middle East Affairs built up over years of dedicated faculty research into the region’s politics and history, which includes Palestinian archive material from both the pre-Mandate and Mandate periods.
You will be part of a hub of postgraduate activity focused upon actively aiding and assisting the dispossessed, dehumanised, and marginalised inhabitants of Palestine. Our postgraduates, who focus on a broad range of different aspects and dimensions, are able to draw upon the broad range of academic resources, the expertise and experience of our research staff, and various forms of support, including those focused on the development of both personal and academic skills.
Teaching and research
Our MA in Palestine Studies is rigorous and the content is tailored to meet your research interests including, media, gender, politics, law, and history.
Our lectures are led by experts engaged in Palestine, middle East and International politics. We offer creative and innovative learning approaches that engage students in practical coursework to develop research and professional skills tailored for applying knowledge to real-world situation.
Students will benefit from the ECPS activities and public events that involve workshops, cultural and renowned guest speakers. These events are often organised by our students in collaboration with other disciplines across the university.
Teaching
- Lectures will give you direct access to the cutting-edge research being carried out by our academic team
- Take responsibility for your own learning and that of your peers by participating in group work, class discussions and student presentations
- Fine tune your critical reading skills and learn how to ask and field incisive questions
- Utilise a range of media from video and audio to articles from newspapers and academic journals
Assessment
The taught modules on this programme are assessed by a combination of essays, presentations and group work. Following completion of these in April, you will then be assessed by a 15,000-word dissertation for submission in September.
Research
As a Masters student you can attend regular research seminars held across the College of Social Sciences and International Studies and organised by our research centres. These are given by academics from Exeter and other Universities in the UK and overseas, as well as guest speakers from the private, public and charity sectors.
The European Centre for Palestine Studies (ECPS) aims to function as a hub for intellectual engagement with the Palestine question, facilitating scholarly research, helping to refine public discussion, and offering programmes for postgraduate study
Facilities
The Institute is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including a computerised language lab, lecture theatres, seminar rooms, lounge, satellite TV for viewing Middle Eastern channels and a gallery for Middle Eastern art exhibitions.
The Arab World Documentation Unit based in the Research Commons is a valuable research resource, housing numerous collections of academic textbooks, press cuttings, government papers and reports, periodicals, pamphlets, business yearbooks, and much more, with material in English, Arabic and Hebrew.
I enjoy having the freedom to explore a huge range of topics and areas - – there are modules offered on literature, politics, gender studies, language, media and specific conflicts, but with the flexibility to apply those studies to different situations around the world.
Joanne
Arab and Islamic Studies Masters student
Transdisciplinary Collaborations for Creative Futures
You are invited to consider taking Transdisciplinary Collaborations for Creative Futures as an optional module in your course. It's available in two formats: 15 credits (EFPM838) or 30 credits (EFPM839).
Our Transdisciplinary Collaborations for Creative Futures module will give you the competitive career advantage of understanding how to bring your disciplinary knowledge into active dialogue with students and staff from other disciplines in order to tackle global sustainability challenges.
This module is taught by staff from across the University of Exeter and is grounded in the University's School of Education research, which shows that the best way to tackle complex real-world challenges is to creatively collaborate across disciplines and with stakeholders.
The challenges will come from external University strategic partners, ensuring issues are current, cutting edge and relevant, whilst supporting employability. The module aims to teach you how to collaboratively, and critically, produce original ideas, and think innovatively about the future through research-based activities, fieldwork and creative workshops that blend the arts, sciences, social sciences, humanities and business.
Using appropriately innovative assessment techniques, the module will equip you to respond to the global complexity and uncertainty that you will inevitably encounter when you graduate. You will be taught using pedagogical innovations, working in transdisciplinary teams with facilitation through cutting edge Creative Pedagogies and Design Thinking.
This module is particularly appropriate for international students seeking insight into UK business, creative industries and cultural contexts and employment possibilities.
Feedback from students who have taken this module highlights its value and the additional skills it helps them develop:
"This module has changed my perspective and transformed my vision. I now have a new understanding of how educational processes and practices should be designed so that learners can acquire skills such as problem-solving, collaborative working, critical and creative thinking in a transdisciplinary way." - Canan, MEd TESOL
"This module has made me more deeply understand the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation. This diversity is also a key reason why I chose this course. I hope to interact with people who have different viewpoints and come from different fields to help me look at problems from various perspectives." - Joey, MA Creative Arts in Education
"Taking this module is one of the best things I've done as part of my studies at Exeter. This is the most exciting and creative course I have ever attended." - Linh Le, MEd TESOL
"I would definitely recommend this module, not only can students learn by means of interdisciplinary cooperation through group cooperation, but also can expand the scope of communication, promote international students to know more about local culture, and promote the communication between international students and other students, which is really very good." - Sherry, MA Creative Arts in Education
Careers
Through personal and academic development over the course of the programme, students will be well-placed to pursue a range of careers, including as political advisors, journalists, NGO staff, and consultants. They will not simply develop academic skills and abilities but will also broader skills and abilities through diverse activities that include preparing a brief for British MP visiting the region for the first time, preparing an advisory document for a human rights organisation, and/or writing news articles and blogs.
Further study
The academic skills developed on the MA Palestine Studies will enable to you to pursue doctoral study. The Institute has an international profile for our pioneering regional focus on the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula and expertise in Islamic Studies providing an ideal place in which to undertake an MPhil/PhD.
Career support
As a University of Exeter student, you will also have access to the Career Zone, providing invaluable support and tailored guidance to help you prepare for your career after university. Visit the employment and professional development pages for more information, including podcasts and profiles, about the range of support available.
In addition, the location of this course within a hub of renowned academia will offer you the possibility of connections, networking opportunities, advice and guidance from others with extensive academic and career-related experience in this field.
