Arabic and Business

Arabic is the main language of more than 350 million people and the sixth most widely spoken in the world. It is the common language of the 22 countries in the Arab League, and one of the six official languages of the United Nations.

The Middle East and North Africa play a key role in global commerce and industry. This makes Arabic and Business an excellent joint honours combination.

Arabic

Our programme is designed to give you a thorough grounding in both classical and modern Arabic. You will develop skills in writing, reading, listening to and speaking the language.

Through your studies, you will learn to understand, interpret and discuss original material, including Arabic novels, newspapers, and television.

Our courses open the door to a fascinating and varied region. You will study aspects of the Arabic-speaking world, past and present, including the history, societies, cultures and politics of the Middle East.

Year 1 courses are designed for beginners. Our programme is not for native speakers of Arabic, but we do welcome heritage language learners. We can also accommodate students with some prior experience of studying Arabic through exemptions from introductory language study. By Year 3, all students will have the language skills to spend the year studying in a country in which Arabic is spoken.

Business

Studying business will prepare you for the social, political, environmental and cultural challenges facing contemporary businesses, governments and not-for-profit organisations.

Taught by world-leading industry professionals and researchers, you will develop personal and professional competencies, such as:

• authentic leadership

• ethical, responsible, sustainable business behaviour

• entrepreneurial practice

• effective communication

You can also participate in business societies, business events and peer-support schemes.

Why Edinburgh

We are recognised in the UK and internationally as a leading institution for the study of Arabic and the Middle East. Leading graduate employers are involved across our Business curriculum and we have strong links to the world of practice through research, consultancy and teaching.

When you graduate, you will have the combination of broad cultural education and specialist business and language skills valued by employers worldwide.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is studied over 4 years, including a Year Abroad. This enables us to build choice and flexibility into your studies, giving you time to explore options, find what you like and build your skills.

Your first two years will be your pre-honours years. They will give you a good grounding in your subjects. In addition to studying core courses, you will broaden your education and skill set by choosing option courses from a range of disciplines. This gives you the chance to build your intercultural awareness in other areas of the arts, humanities, social sciences and beyond.

Your final two years will be your honours years. You will spend Year 3 abroad, gaining lived experience of Arabic and Middle Eastern culture and completing a Business Project Portfolio. Year 4 will be tailored to your interests in specific topics or approaches to Arabic literature, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, and Business. You will also further develop your Arabic language and translation skills.

Programme benefits

• Learn in an historic city where Arabic has been taught since the 18th century.

• Study over four years, including one abroad.

• Become fluent in one of the UN's six official languages.

• Gain accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS).

• Try out different subjects in your first two years.

• Delve into fantastic libraries and collections.