A degree in Middle Eastern Studies and Development Studies, anyone with experience in either? Is it worth it? :)

[ILoveNiyaz]

I will be a mature student once I enter university (around 23) and I'm considering reading Middle Eastern and Development studies.

I love the social sciences and the university I will be hoping to attend is on my doorstep practically.

I know with a 2:1 in any discipline you can enter most graduate schemes, but what can you specifically do with the degree I'm going to start?

So far I've read that you can enter the civil service, work in the Middle Eastern media and work for NGO's.

Is a degree in a social science 'worth it' these days? I am partly doing this for my intellectual enjoyment and partly to have better future prospects. Should I study a STEM subject or a vocational subject instead? STEM subjects certainly do seem more 'secure' to me. But I don't think I would be happy studying something I don't enjoy just because it was more secure.

I know several people doing ME studies at one university, and they all speak very highly of it.

Yes, I think a degree in the social sciences is still worth it, because

• you're doing it at least in part for your own personal enjoyment
• 70% of all graduate jobs are open to anyone with a degree in any subject
• if you do a degree you enjoy, you'll be more motivated to work harder, so you'll be more likely to get a good grade, so you'll have more career opportunities. A 2.1 in a social science will give you more opportunities than a 2.2 in a STEM subject given all the auto-filtering that goes on nowadays

Whatever you do don't do a STEM subject if you won't enjoy it. A degree is hard enough as it is, and signing yourself up for 3/4 years of misery is a recipe for disaster, poor grades and possibly dropping out. Plus, the only additional career opportunities that it would open up to you would be related to STEM, which doesn't interest you.

That is a very good point,

I will be more motivated to work harder on a degree that I enjoy.
I feel slightly apprehensive at the thought of not doing a STEM subject though. It is very silly, but a lot of what I see in the media and hear from family and friends is 'skills pay the bills' and 'Study engineering or dentistry, you'll never be out of work' and 'don't follow your passion, passion doesn't pay a mortgage'

but those subjects bore me rigid, whereas social sciences and anything to do with the study of people makes me so happy.

My cousin has a degree in similar and also learned arabic part time. She now has such an interesting job and could be earning a fortune....but chose the interesting job rather than best paid.
We suspect she is a spy on the side, mind.

Haha! Curioushorse That is so funny, what makes you think she is a spy?

I did Development Studies with African Studies 20 years ago - wonderful stuff, lots of different bits of Soc Sci subjects but with great and immediate relevance. The African Studies meant I could also do lots on African political history and literature/music as well.

Because I didn't have a single 'subject' (sociology, literature, history etc) I could see the overlaps and connections between disciplines. You end up with a much wider view of everything, not restricted by the artificial boundaries of what disciplines are 'supposed to be'.

Anyone with any deep knowledge of ME Studies will be in demand - you'll have no problem finding something meaningful to do afterwards. The Independent identifies potential carers like "business, finance and diplomacy, humanitarian aid, teaching, higher education and the media. Graduates often find positions in Arab companies with subsidiaries in the East and the West. Middle Eastern and African studies came sixth for graduate salaries in The Times' Good University Guide 2012, with pay averaging approximately £25,000 per year."

What it comes down to is - would you rather be happy, or chase the possibility of a bit more money?

Having worked in jobs that I've hated, and jobs that I've loved, I know that I'd always choose loving the job over having more money. Why make yourself miserable for 40 hours a week?

Anyway, it's not like you want to pursue a degree in pottery - that probably wouldn't pay the bills - but ME studies can, and so it's not a binary distinction between following your passion and paying the bills.

IMO you'd be bonkers to do a STEM course in your situation.

Strictly speaking area studies courses like this are not usually defined as Social Sciences.

At most universities you will be able to select courses that focus on particular aspects of the area you are studying and that can range from Economics and Law to the Humanities like History and Literature to Art to anthropology and other Social Sciences.

Area studies graduates are in demand from all sorts of employers operating in international markets who want graduates with knowledge of different cultures and social, political, economic and legal systems. Graduates from my area studies department were recruited into a very wide range of jobs, the media, NGOs, banks, hotels, multinationals, law firms etc. etc.

I'd argue, as a professional social science academic myself, that whether this degree is 'worth it' will have a lot to do with the university it comes from.

Which uni OP?

SOAS and Manchester are on my shortlist so far. I think they are both decent universities. I live right next to U of Manchester, so I'm swayed towards the course there.

Thanks for correcting me Shootingatpigeons What are they defined as instead?

Area Studies are interdisciplinary. You might be studying a Social Science with a Humanity but above all you are studying that culture and society.

Whilst you don't really get the subject tables for Middle Eastern Studies when a friend's DD was interviewed at Oxford the interviewer suggested that the teaching, exposure to latest research and academic debate etc. would be as good at SOAS. It is after all an institution that specialises in area studies.

It is though a bit idiosyncratic / eccentric. It is great if you are passionate about understanding other cultures, not so good if you want a typical uni experience with a typical undergrad social life. I would tend to recommend it for postgrad if a student wanted that.

I'm not really fussed about having a typical university experience, I have been traveling, partying and working since I was 17 so I feel I have had enough fun! Now I just want to learn

I am passionate about understanding other cultures, ME specifically- so an interdisciplinary degree sounds just up my street!