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Completing my MPhil in Middle Eastern Studies by Research at the Cambridge Faculty of Middle Eastern Studies exceeded my expectations both in the depth of opportunity for pursuing my own research and the breadth of exposure to the broader field of Middle Eastern studies, and beyond, the program provided.
While there are no classes as part of the MPhil by research, I was still constantly at the FAMES building, working in the library, meeting with colleagues and my supervisor, or attending faculty seminars. My own research was on Hebrew reading traditions, but, being part of the faculty, I was able to take advantage of my flexibility to study Modern Greek, audit Hebrew courses, and attend lectures spanning from Andalusian historiography to the archives of the British East India Company.
For my own research, the faculty and my college supported a brief stint of fieldwork in Greece, and I was able to take advantage of the University Library to work with manuscripts from the late Byzantine period. All this was possible thanks to excellent advising from my supervisor Prof. Geoffrey Khan, who always made time to support my research, as well as the resources of the larger Cambridge academic community, especially my peers in the faculty and in my college.
I would highly recommend an MPhil by research for any students who feel that they would benefit from the creative, and intensive, process of focusing on a single, year-long research project. For those worried that such a focus is intellectually limiting, I certainly had the opposite experience—the flexibility of working on a single project allowed me to explore new ideas in a way that had never been possible while squeezed between multiple papers or cramming for exams. While pursuing an MPhil by Research certainly requires much independent work, it is also a time when you learn new research skills, are thoroughly supported by the whole faculty, and part of a wonderful academic community.
Caleb King (May 1, 2025)
I tremendously enjoyed my time studying for an MPhil by Research at FAMES. The people I met during that year, be it my supervisor, fellow students, lecturers, or the wonderful faculty librarians, had an immense impact on me. It was through their care, advice, encouragement, and trust that I could grow in my studies. In addition to this, the great freedom of a research degree and the access to incredible resources made my year at FAMES a wonderful experience, which I am very grateful for. I would encourage anyone with a deep passion for their field to apply!
Lola Graziani (April 2, 2025)
Over the course of the academic year, I benefited immensely from several supervision meetings to develop my dissertation topic. Each meeting enriched my knowledge of the subject, provided me with information to pursue new avenues of inquiry and novel approaches to my research process, while also helping me become a better writer. An MPhil by Research is an inherently independent undertaking that culminates at the end of the year in a single piece of work. However, I felt supported every step of the way by my supervisor, Assef Ashraf, as well as the Faculty and administration. The Theory and Method module in the first term introduced me to a range of concepts within Middle Eastern Studies that were outside of my geographical, chronological, and disciplinary focus, but which helped me hone my research, and gave me a more well-rounded understanding of the region, its historiography, and broader scholarship. This is the perfect degree for those wishing to build on their academic knowledge of the Middle East, as well as those hoping to develop the skills necessary for a PhD.
Mohammad Adnan (Sept. 1, 2021)