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UCAS code: QQK7

Duration: 4 years

Delivery: Full-time

School: Literatures, Languages and Cultures

College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Study abroad

Introducing MA Arabic and Ancient Greek

Arabic is the main language of more than 250 million people inhabiting a huge swathe of the land extending from the Atlantic to the Persian Gulf. It is the fifth most widely spoken language in the world and is one of the six official languages of the United Nations. Apart from opening the door to a fascinating and varied region, knowledge of Arabic provides access to the rich intellectual heritage of Islam.

The School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures at the University of Edinburgh is recognised in the UK and internationally as a leading institution for research and study of Arabic, Islam, the Middle East, and other related subjects.

This programme aims to develop your interest in, and knowledge and understanding of both Arabic and ancient Greek, together with the literature, culture and history of the classical and Islamic Mediterranean and Middle East.

The inextricable links between the two languages and associated civilisations makes knowledge of both Arabic and ancient Greek – together with knowledge of the history, literature and culture of the Mediterranean and the Middle East – a highly desirable combination. This is not least because of the enormous importance of the classical Greek heritage for Islamic thought (and then to a considerable extent, via Arabic, in western thought after the 12th century CE).

What you will study

Year 1

You will study elementary Arabic to learn basic grammar and develop your vocabulary. You will also take courses in Islamic history and Islamic and Middle Eastern cultures and you will choose two courses of beginners’ or advanced intermediate Greek, as appropriate.

Year 2

You will continue with your language study in Arabic and Greek and you will study two survey courses on the history and culture of the Greek world.

Year 3

You will spend Year 3 in an Arabic-speaking country, improving your language skills and undertaking independent study. You will also undertake year abroad work for the classics side of your programme.

Year 4

You will continue to develop your language and translation skills and will write your honours dissertation. You will also choose from a range of specialist option courses dealing with different aspects of Islam and the Middle East and classics.

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2019/20)

Where you will study

Our facilities

Classes will take place in and around 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

In Year 3 you can choose between at least two different countries in the Arabic-speaking world for your study abroad, where you will spend a minimum of 30 weeks.

What are my options for going abroad?

Learning and assessment

How will I learn?

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

How will I be assessed?

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.

Programme details

Find out more about this programme's aims, what you will learn, how you will be assessed and what skills and knowledge you will develop.

To give you an idea of what to expect from this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme details (2019/20)

Career opportunities

More than 250 million people are native speakers of Arabic, the fifth most widely spoken language in the world.

An understanding of the language, and the cultures to which it opens doors, is an excellent primer for a range of careers in the media, non-governmental organisations, industry, and the diplomatic and civil services.

With increasing migration in response to changing global dynamics, there is high demand for languages and humanities graduates both at home and abroad, including in translation, interpreting and education. Our students have previously won an award for Outstanding Global Citizenship for tutoring Syrian refugees.

There are also opportunities to continue studying at postgraduate level, with the fourth undergraduate year in particular developing the research skills you’ll need if you choose this path.

Entry requirements

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

SQA Highers: AAAA - AABB by end of S5. If you haven’t achieved this by the end of S5 we may consider your application based on a strong performance in S6. A minimum of BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
A Levels: AAB - ABB.
IB: 40 points (grades 766 at HL) - 34 points (grades 655 at HL).

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6, with a minimum of BBB achieved in one year of S4-S6.
A Levels: ABB.
IB: 34 points (grades 655 at HL).

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

SQA: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5: a language other than English at grade A and English at grade C.
A Levels: no specific A Level subjects required. GCSEs: a language other than English at grade A or 7 and English at grade C or 4.
IB: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: a language other than English at grade 6 and English at grade 5.

Additional requirements

Language Requirement

Please note that for degrees that have a subject requirement for a language other than English, students may not use their own native language to meet this requirement. In these instances, English or an alternative language other than native will be acceptable.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme.

International Foundation Programme

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

English language requirements

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

SQA National 5 Grade C
SQA Standard Grade 3
SQA Intermediate 1 Grade A
SQA Intermediate 2 Grade C
GCSE Grade C or 4
Level 2 Certificate Grade C
IB Standard Level Grade 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

IELTS Academic module overall 6.5 with 5.5 in each component
TOEFL-iBT 92 or above with 20 in each section
Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency overall 176 with 162 in each component
PTE Academic: Total 61 with at least 51 in each "Communicative Skills" section
Trinity ISE: ISE II with a distinction in all four components

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

English language qualifications must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

English language requirements

(Revised 05/06/2019 to provide more accurate/comprehensive information.)