Overview

While traditionally the strength of the department has been in the medieval and pre-modern studies of the geographical area that includes the Arab lands, Iran, Israel, and Turkey, greater emphasis has been given more recently to the modern Muslim world in its entirety, including the Caucasus, Central Asia, and South Asia.

This development recognizes the many interconnections of the Muslim world and enables NES to offer its students an interdisciplinary program of studies that breaks out of the artificial constraints imposed by the traditional geographical focus.

For students interested in pursuing graduate studies in preparation for academic and other careers, the Department of Near Eastern Studies offers a program of study leading to the Ph.D. There is considerable flexibility in the individual course of study and in the choice of dissertation topic.

Program Offerings

The Department of Near Eastern Studies offers training leading to doctoral degrees in the study of the Middle East and more broadly the Islamic World, from the rise of Islam to the present day. The Near Eastern Studies program is offered by Princeton University.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Social Identities in Ancient Egypt

Arabs, Jews, and Arab-Jews in Literature, History, and Culture

Middle East History

Modern Middle East

Themes in World History, 1300-1850: Ottoman History

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 60 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-03 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-12-15 00:00:00

Language

English

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Princeton, United States

Disciplines

Area & Cultural Studies Communication Studies General Studies View 74 other PhDs in Communication Studies in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

We are not aware of any English requirements for this programme.

Other requirements

General requirements

Sample of written work. Applicants must complete the NES fact sheet in the application.

Optional: Applicants may submit a statement with their application, briefly describing how their academic interests, background, or life experiences would advance Princeton’s commitment to diversity within the Graduate School and to training individuals in an increasingly diverse society. Please submit a succinct statement of no more than 500 words.

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

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Tuition Fee

Princeton guarantees full funding for its Ph.D. candidates for all years of regular program enrolment.

Living costs for Princeton

2022 - 4977 USD /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Near Eastern Studies.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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