Arabic with Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies

Arabic is the main language of more than 350 million people inhabiting a huge swathe of land extending from the Atlantic to the Persian Gulf. It is the sixth most widely spoken language in the world and is one of the six official languages of the United Nations.

This programme is designed to give you a thorough grounding in Arabic, both classical and modern. It enables you to access a wide range of original material, from pre-Islamic poetry and Islamic religious texts, to contemporary sources, Arabic novels, newspapers, and television.

Alongside knowledge of written and spoken Arabic, you will also acquire an in-depth understanding of the history, societies, politics and cultures of the Arab world and the wider Middle East, including Turkey and Iran. Arabic also opens the door to the rich intellectual heritage of Islam.

Our programme is designed for complete beginners in Arabic. 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 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.

Why Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is recognised in the UK and internationally as a leading institution for teaching and research in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies.

Arabic has been taught here since the mid-18th century. As part of your programme, you can opt to learn Persian or Turkish too.

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.

When you graduate, you will have the combination of broad cultural education and specialist knowledge 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 the Arabic language and in the study of Islam and the Middle East. In addition to your core courses, you will broaden your education and skill set by choosing option courses from a range of disciplines. This may enable you to change or widen your focus by, for example, moving onto a joint honours programme.

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

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.

• Try out different subjects in your first two years.

• Join societies related to what you are studying.

• Delve into fantastic libraries and collections.