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| Downing College > Admissions > Undergraduate Admissions > Asian and Middle Eastern Studies |
Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
Details and Statistics
Applications per place 2010 entry: 3
Entry requirements:
- Essential: no specific subjects unless combining a modern European language, in which case an A–Level/IB Higher Level in the European language is required.
- Desirable: A foreign language at A–level (or equivalent) is particularly desirable, suggesting a proven ability to cope with language work. Other useful A–levels (or equivalent) are History and English, though applicants have been accepted from a wide variety of academic backgrounds.
Brief outline of the course
Our course is very flexible with numerous options and combinations available. You can study Arabic, Chinese, Hebrew, Japanese or Persian. In addition, you can combine Arabic, Hebrew and Persian with each other or with subjects from other faculties such as a modern European language (provided you have an A Level/IB Higher Level in the European language). Chinese and Japanese cannot ordinarily be combined, except with each other in Part II. See the Faculty website for full details of possible combinations at http://www.ames.cam.ac.uk/general_info/index.html
Part I
In Part I, which normally takes two years, you get a thorough grounding in the language(s) of your choice, while your study of the cultural component is gradually increased. Whether the culture is classical or modern, a variety of paper options may be offered in the literature, history, religion, politics, economics, anthropology and society of the region you’ve chosen.
Part II
You spend your third year abroad, studying or working in a country where the language you’re learning is spoken. In the fourth year, greater specialisation is possible and students write a dissertation on a topic of their choice.
Organisation of teaching
What makes the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies unique is the way in which teaching is conducted. One advantage of being part of a small faculty – and an even smaller subject area – is that teaching mainly takes place in small groups, geared to your needs.
- Language teaching takes place in small groups which supports intensive study, necessary as the course progresses relatively quickly. The modern spoken forms of the languages are largely taught by native speakers.
- Lectures in non–language classes may be taught in larger groups, particularly if the class is for a core paper.
- In addition, students have regular supervisions, which are very small teaching groups, often with only one or two students. Unlike other subjects at Cambridge, these are organised by the Faculty, not the Colleges, so very little of the teaching students receive is dependent on their Colleges.
Typical offers
Typical A Level Offer: A*AA, and the subject in which the A* is to be achieved is unlikely to be specified in most cases. Typical IB Offer: 40–42 points, with 776 or 777 at Higher Level
Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at Downing College
The Director of Studies in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies is Dr Gerhard Leinss.
There is no quota for the admission of students in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, and the number of applicants fluctuates considerably from year to year; but Downing encourages smaller subjects and is hoping to strengthen these fields. In recent years, Downing had an intake of two students per year.
The college has an established link with Keio University, the leading Japanese private university. It is normally possible to arrange a study place at Keio for students in Japanese studies during their year abroad.
Qualities we are looking for
None of these subjects is an easy option, and candidates will need a clear head for grammar, the recognition of linguistic patterns and the learning of vocabulary. Although an experience of language learning is extremely useful, several students have excelled in this Tripos from school backgrounds in Mathematics, Sciences or Music, as well as History. Note that apart from language learning all these subjects involve essay writing on a wide range of topics. An independent approach for learning together with evidence of wide reading will be expected. Enthusiasm is also essential, as is the ability to work in small groups.
Deferred Entry or Post A Level application
With the exception of Mathematics, Downing has a neutral stance on the advisability of a gap year for candidates. It is expected that any candidate planning to take a gap year will already have a clear plan for the year and will be ready to discuss this at interview.
Re-application to Cambridge
We advise those who have not been made an offer of a place that, if they wish to re-apply to Cambridge, they should make their application to another College. This is because, in our experience, applying to a different college and being assessed by a fresh admissions team significantly increases the chances of receiving an offer. Applications to Downing from candidates previously rejected by other Cambridge or Oxford colleges will receive careful consideration.
Interviews
General information
The great majority of applicants to Downing are offered interviews. The College does not normally offer undergraduate places to candidates who are unavailable for interview.
Interviews are held in late November or early December. The dates for interviews in each subject will be posted on the Downing website as soon as they are available. If you are planning to apply to Downing and are unable to make one or more of the days specified for your subject, please let the Admissions Secretary know as soon as possible. If enough notice is given, it may be possible to avoid scheduling your interviews on those days. It is not possible to make any changes after you have been notified of your interview times.
- The interview and interview dates at Downing College.
- Interviews at Cambridge - the University of Cambridge website information.
Interviews for Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
At present, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies applicants receive two or three interviews (depending on choice of subject) on the same day, with either one or two interviewers. Interviews are intended to inform us of your motivation and your overall ability and potential. One will be with the Director of Studies, usually joined by a specialist in the candidate’s chosen subject.
Candidates applying for a combined course with a modern European language will be given a third interview by a specialist in that language and will sit a written test on the day of the interview; this test will consist of an essay in a foreign language of the candidates choosing written in response to a short passage in English.
Prior to interviews, we will ask to see some of the written work you have produced during your studies, which may provide some of the basis for discussion.
Further details
Further details about the courses can be obtained either by writing to the Faculty Office, Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Sidgwick Avenue, Cambridge CB3 9DA, or from the Faculty’s website: www.ames.cam.ac.uk
For undergraduate admissions enquiries.
For graduate admission enquiries.
Prospective candidates are welcome to visit on Open Days, which are regularly arranged.
The Director of Studies is happy to answer any queries from candidates considering making an application.
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