Middle Eastern Studies and Screen Studies (4 Years) [BA]

BA (Hons) Middle Eastern Studies and Screen Studies  

• Screen Studies can be studied alongside a Middle Eastern language (Arabic, Hebrew, Persian or Turkish) as a four year course (with the third year spent abroad) 
• Provides a thorough grounding in history of film and film theory as well as television and emerging screen technologies and its application to questions of style and form. These elements will be studied by application to a mix of mainstream and avant-garde film drawn from Europe, Latin America and Hollywood.  Alongside this will be the study of your language.
• The style and form of the film material forms an important aspect of these core studies. Students will take up to half of your course units in aspects of Screen Studies. Students build up an impressive array of abilities, thanks to the very wide range of subjects available for study, and the emphasis placed on the development of crucial skills.
• The course covers 120 credits per year and in the first year this is divided equally between the two subjects, ie 60 credits per subject area.  This weighting is flexible in subsequent years and you can do up to two thirds (80 credits) in either/or subject. 
• Students will take a compulsory course in European Cinema which is also designed to develop your study skills.  Alongside this will be the study of your other subject. You will select further courses from a series of broad-based options on key areas of both subject areas.

• Screen Studies courses cover film theory and the history of film, drawn from the cinemas and related media of Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America). While the first year concentrates on cinema and the basics of how to 'read' film, from your second year you will also be able to study aspects of other related moving image media, in particular television.
• Emphasis is placed on the way these images are received by different audiences. 
• If you are studying a modern language or a Middle Eastern language with Screen Studies your third year is spent abroad under approved conditions.  Please see  Residence Abroad for further information.  Students combining Screen studies with English Language or Linguistics follow a 3 year course with no period of residence abroad.

There are numerous possibilities for graduates of the Department of Middle Eastern Studies. The general and academic skills acquired in the courses are welcomed by a broad spectrum of employers including:

• The Civil Service
• The British Council
• Non-governmental organisations
• International organisations (for example the UN and the EU)
• Business and commerce
• Banking
• Law
• Print and broadcast journalism
• Tourism management
• Teaching

Some recent graduates are academics and researchers in various fields, after going on to do postgraduate studies in areas such as Development Studies, International Relations, Linguistics, European Studies and History. BA (Hons) Arabic Studies is also an excellent foundation for postgraduate study in the areas of Arabic or Islamic studies, as well as for living and working in Arab countries.

The Department of Middle Eastern Studies runs regular Visit and Interview Days during which applicants can see the Department and language learning facilities, meet members of staff and current students, and have an opportunity to discuss their study aims and qualifications with lecturers.

• We consider a visit and interview to be an essential part of the admissions process. Coming to the Department gives you an opportunity to see if your expectations are matched by what the course offers and explain your interest in the subject and your qualifications.
• All applicants to the department of Middle Eastern Studies who meet our entry requirements are invited for an interview (or telephone interview for overseas applicants) and visit day.
• At the Visit Day individual meetings with lecturers are arranged which last between 15 and 20 minutes. The applicant is invited to explain her/his interests and qualifications, and how their chosen subjects fits in with these. Lecturers look in particular for evidence of subject interest and motivation. Lecturers explain the department's subject and course portfolio and specific requirements to the applicant. Alternative routes of study may be explored together. Applicants are invited to pose any questions they might have.
• We are happy to make offers for deferred entry.

A level:

AAB-BBC evidence of lang study at GCSE or above preferred

Duration of A level study: Data Code not configured

AS level: Two AS-Levels may be accepted in place of the third A-Level.

Unit grade information: The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit grade information which, like all other available information, will inform the consideration of applications.  Unit grades will not normally form part of offer conditions, except for Mathematics programmes.

GCSE: Minimum grade C in English Language.

Key Skills qualification: The University warmly welcomes applications from students studying the Key Skills qualification. However, as the opportunities to take these modules are not open to all applicants, currently this is not an essential requirement of the University.

International Baccalaureate:

29 - 36 points overall

Higher Level Requirements - 6,6,5 -5,5,4

Evidence of language study at GCSE level (or equivalent) or above preferred

Additional entry requirements

English language:

Candidates must be proficient in the English language, which is the language of instruction and examination at the university.

Acceptable English Language qualifications include IELTS 6.5 (with no individual component below 5.5), CPE grade C, CAE Grade B or another equivalent

To be successful on and to enjoy this course, you will need certain skills and personal qualities. You will need linguistic skills, in order to cope with the language side of the degree. You will need intellectual curiosity, in order to make the most of the diverse range of course units available to you. You will need an interest in immersing yourself in another culture, in order to help you meet the challenges of the year abroad. Finally, you will need dedication and enthusiasm: this is a rigorous degree programme, but committed students have the potential to derive great personal, practical and professional dividends from it.

• We welcome applicants who are looking to return to study and value their contribution to the departmental culture and social life. Students who have experience of the Middle East or plan to live there have formed a substantial segment of our student body for many years.
• All applicants who meet our entry requirements are invited for interview and given individual consideration.
• Access courses are acceptable as an entry route to this course - please contact the UG Admissions Team.

The University of Manchester has now closed all undergraduate full time courses for deferred entry to 2012. If you are a Home/EU student applying through UCAS as a late applicant, for those courses that have vacancies, we will only allow application for 2011

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry.  In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved.  We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.If you are applying for a place for the same year of entry through UCAS Extra, you should provide additional evidence of your suitability for the course. If you are applying through clearing you are required to meet the clearing requirements. In both UCAS Extra and clearing the places will be subject to availability.

• You will be taught through a mixture of formal lectures, seminars and tutorials.  You will spend approximately 12 hours each week in formal study sessions.  For every hour spent at University you will be expected to complete a further 2 - 3 hours independent study.  You will also need to study during the holiday periods.
• The individual study component could be spent reading, producing written work, revising for examinations or working in the University's Language Centre

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Support Office. Email: disability@manchester.ac.uk