Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES) trains you to become experts in languages and cultures that are at the heart of our global world: Arabic, Chinese, Hebrew, Japanese, and Persian. Our programme enables you to gain unrivalled mastery in the chosen language(s), normally starting from scratch and reaching quasi–native fluency. It is not just about learning languages, however. We also provide world–leading multi–disciplinary expertise in the culture(s) you are interested in, with lectures, seminars and supervisions that train you in history, literature, society, visual culture, religion, politics and much more.
Why study AMES at Emmanuel College?
First, your Director of Studies (DOS). Prof Laura Moretti, works in Japanese Studies but welcomes applicants and students in all the languages that AMES offers. Your DOS loves teaching and has been awarded twice the CUSU student–led teaching awards, alongside the Pilkington Prize in recognition of contribution to excellence in teaching at Cambridge. Your DOS has your academic development at her heart as is always there to help you along the way. She is also passionate in ensuring that each student feels listened to and supported along the journey together. The wellbeing of each of you is as important as your academic development.
Second, the AMES community at Emmanuel College. Over the years we have recruited steadily in this subject, which means that you will be surrounded by colleagues who are further in their studies and who are eager to give support as you start and progress on your degree with us. You will be inspired by the achievements of your colleagues and reassured in that doing well in this degree is eminently doable. A lot of the Emmanuel College AMES alumni/ae have secured the scholarships for the year abroad (in particular for Japan) and have now embarked in a variety of exciting careers.
Join our vibrant community!
For more information about Undergraduate studies at AMES: Undergraduate study | Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
What might a typical day be like studying Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at Emmanuel College?
Morning
Wake up in time for the morning language classes. Whatever your morning routine might be, get ready to enjoy learning at the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.
There is a free hour between language classes. Use the Common Room in the Faculty to finalize your prep work, while catching up with your classmates.
Lunch
You are lucky today: you have plenty of time to go back to College and grab some lunch in the college cafeteria. You can meet up with your college friends, from other disciplines.
After lunch you have one hour to finalise an essay that is due by 5pm today. Done and dusted: sent before the deadline 😊
Afternoon
Back to the Faculty for an exciting seminar on Japanese literature. You then have a supervision about Japanese history.
You decide to stay a bit longer to join one of the seminar series that feature external speakers from all over the world.
Today you have no choir practice or any society activity today, so you can go back to College and cook yourself some dinner.
Evening
There is a bit of homework for your language classes. But this is what you are passionate about, so the couple of hours of study go through quite quickly.
You end the day by watching your favourite anime.
What qualities do successful students have?
Passion for your chosen language(s) and culture(s): language learning is the bedrock of this degree, but the study of history, literature, society, visual culture, religion, politics and much more is equally important.
Resilience, as the degree can be quite demanding: remember that you are learning languages that are deemed the most difficult in the world.
Resourcefulness: find what you are truly passionate about and explore ways to develop your ambitions and dreams.
Where could my degree lead?
Below are some of the careers of our alumni/alumnae:
- Career in corporate life
- Translators
- Entrepreneurs
- Teachers
- Writers
- MA and PhD programmes