Contemporary Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

Overview

*This programme profile is financed by Dora Plus Action 4: Marketing of study and employment opportunities in Estonia (European Regional Development Fund).

Asia and the Middle East are two of the most fascinating and rapidly developing regions of the world, creating challenges and offering opportunities for the 21st century. By 2050:

• close to 60% of the world’s consumers will live in the region;
• China will be a real superpower;
• Hindi, Urdu, and Arabic will dominate much of the world business;
• Islam will change and diversify due to its contact with modernity
• and global migration will continue to pressure Europe and the Middle East.

The Contemporary Asian and Middle Eastern Studies programme provides a comprehensive curriculum in Asian and Middle Eastern economies, politics, cultures, societies and languages (e.g. Japanese, Chinese, Korean), opportunities to study different languages (e.g. Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Arabic) and a multinational study environment.

Why study Contemporary Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Tartu ?

• The University of Tartu belongs to the top 250 of the world's best universities (THE World University Rankings 2023).
• The University of Tartu is ranked in the top 220 universities in the world in politics (QS Subject Rankings 2022).
• The university has a long tradition in oriental, cultural and religious studies.
• It is home to many professors and researchers specialising in modern-day Asian and Middle Eastern cultures, socio-economic trends and political regimes. 
• The programme offers multiple opportunities to do your fieldwork in East Asia and the Middle East.

• After graduation, you can work with refugees, start a diplomatic career, provide area-specific expertise to new businesses or create your own NGO.

Career opportunities

Our graduates have the skills and know-how to work with refugees at the UNHCR or become diplomats, provide area-specific expertise to new businesses or create their own NGO. You can engage with a vast range of topics from international relations and business to demographic trends and human rights management. 

Whatever you choose, you can be sure that the need for experts in Asian and Middle Eastern studies is increasing both in the public and private sectors. We will do our very best to support your progress and future employment. 

Accreditation

Every seven years, all Estonian higher education institutions must undergo external evaluation – institutional accreditation. The latest assessment took place in 2022. The assessment council of the Estonian Quality Agency for Education decided to accredit the University of Tartu for the next seven years (2023-2029).