Arabic and Persian

This wide-ranging joint honours programme is your opportunity to learn the languages spoken by more than 470 million people worldwide. Together, Arabic and Persian open the door to a fascinating and varied region taking in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia. They are also your gateway to the rich intellectual heritage of Islam.

Arabic is the sixth most widely spoken language in the world and is one of the six official languages of the United Nations. Persian is the national language of Iran, where it is indigenously known as Farsi, and spoken as Dari in Afghanistan and Tajik in Tajikistan.

Language learning in its cultural context

Through the study of the written and spoken languages, you will learn to express yourself in modern Arabic and Persian on a wide range of topical issues.

You will also gain the skills to engage with original material, classical sources and contemporary texts on:

• society, religion and culture

• history and politics

• literature, art, and cinema

Our programme is designed for complete beginners in both languages. It is not for native speakers, but we do welcome heritage language learners. We can also accommodate students with some prior experience of studying Arabic or Persian, potentially through exemptions from introductory language study.

Why Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is recognised in the UK and internationally as a leading institution for teaching and research in Arabic, Persian, Islam, and the Middle East.

Arabic has been taught here since the mid-18th century and, today, we are the only university in Scotland to offer courses in the Muslim world’s three main languages.

You will have access to over 23,000 resources in the University's collections in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, and a regular programme of workshops, film screenings, book launches and guest seminars.

Studying over four years gives you the blend of specialist skills needed for a range of careers around the globe. Your language learning and cultural awareness will make you ideally placed to work with displaced people from Arab- and Persian-speaking countries now living in Europe and other parts of the world, and with international organisations advancing refugee issues, rights and spaces.

Programme benefits

• Learn in an historic capital city where Arabic has been taught since the 18th century and Persian since the 19th.

• Study over four years, giving you the choice and flexibility to try out different things.

• Build up to fluency in languages spoken by more than 470 million people worldwide, and study abroad as part of your programme.

• Specialise in different aspects of Islamic and Middle Eastern studies as you move through your degree.

• Explore fantastic libraries and collections at the University and in the city.

• Join societies, attend events, and gain the skills and confidence for life after university.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is studied over 4 years, including up to one 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 the Arabic and Persian languages and in the study of Islam and the Middle East.

Your final two years will be your honours years. Your learning will be tailored to your interests in specific topics or approaches to your subjects. You will spend at least part of Year 3 studying abroad, gaining lived experience of Middle Eastern cultures. In Year 4, you will further develop your language and translation skills and write a dissertation.