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Subject: Arabic & Persian

Why choose Arabic & Persian at the University of Edinburgh?

The University of Edinburgh hosts the Centre for the Advanced Study of the Arab World with two other university partners.
In the most recent RAE 25% of our research in Middle Eastern and African Studies was rated 4* world-leading, with a further 45% rated 3* internationally excellent.
We are the only university in Scotland to offer courses in three main languages of the Muslim world – Arabic, Persian and Turkish.

Find out more

Contact: College of Humanities & Social Science Undergraduate Admissions Office

Email: hssug@ed.ac.uk

Phone: +44 (0)131 650 3565

Web: www.imes.ed.ac.uk

Introduction

For several decades the Middle East has been at the forefront of world events. These programmes provide a unique opportunity to learn the region’s languages and develop a better understanding of its politics, faith, history, literature and law.

Studying Arabic will introduce you to a fascinating region that opens the door to the intellectual heritage of Islam. Those studying Persian will be introduced to the culture and history of Persia/Iran. Students will have the opportunity to study a full range of material from pre-Islamic poetry and Islamic philosophy to modern literature and media.

Learning and assessment

Experienced language instructors will teach a combination of lectures, tutorials and language classes.

You will be assessed by a combination of exams and coursework, including essays, exercises, presentations and oral language examinations. You will also complete a dissertation in your final year.

Careers

The Middle East is one of the UK’s major trading partners so there is a high demand for graduates who speak Arabic or Persian. The degree programmes will also prepare you for careers in the Diplomatic Service, the Civil Service or non-government organisations. Graduates also enter teaching, the media or continue with postgraduate study.

Our facilities

Classes will take place within the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures, located within the University’s Central Area. You will have full access to the University’s computer facilities and libraries, which contain specialist resources and a collection of Islamic manuscripts.

Study abroad

Opportunities to study abroad are available in this subject area.

Studying Arabic at Edinburgh has been a wonderfully enriching and challenging experience over the past four years. I have never once regretted taking this course. Arabic seems to attract an interesting and unusual mix of people, which makes for a lively, entertaining atmosphere. At Honours level, class sizes also tend to be small, which enables a closely-knit bonding among the students, as well as a more personalised and detailed approach to tackling issues in lectures. Besides, it is worth studying at the department purely on account of the staff, who are excellent. The opportunity of spending several months abroad in an Arabic-speaking country is a particularly worthwhile element of the course, serving to contextualise the theory in practice and to give a better overview of Arabic language and culture.

Lois Buelow-Osborne: 4th year Arabic