MA Arabic and French
About this course
MA (Hons) in Arabic and French, a modern languages degree focusing on Arabic and French language acquisition alongside the history, literature and culture of the Middle East and Francophone regions. A full academic year abroad is integrated into the four-year curriculum. The first year introduces the history and culture of the Islamic world and modern Middle Eastern history, alongside thematic topics such as colonisation and decolonisation, the Fifth Republic, and resistance and collaboration. The second year develops core language abilities in reading, writing, speaking and listening, alongside options exploring migration, cinema and literature. Year 3 consists of a compulsory academic year abroad providing language immersion. The final year advances specialisation through modules covering modern and classical Arabic literature, Islamic thought, feminist texts, and Francophone literature and culture.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: ABB (required: a language other than English at B) IB: 34 points with 655 at HL
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 69%: 27 offers from 39 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 24 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 79%
- Assessment and feedback: 69%
- Academic support: 83%
- Organisation and management: 74%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 74%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 75 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 4%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 10%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 44%
- South East: 10%
- South West: 3%
- Scotland: 20%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 75%
- Baccalaureate: 10%
- Access course: 10%
Modules
- Islamic History - a survey of the formation of the Islamic world, from its pre-islamic origins to the foundation of the first Muslim world empire
- Modern Middle Eastern History - an introduction to the Middle East's political, economic, social and cultural history from 1950 until the present day
- resistance and collaboration
- the Fifth Republic
- colonisation and decolonisation
- May 1968
- feminism
- reading
- writing
- speaking
- listening
- the religion of Islam - an exploration of the religion's branches, key texts, central beliefs and rituals
- Islamic and Middle Eastern Cultures - an introduction to the literary, aesthetic and intellectual culture of the Middle East, from the eve of Islam to the modern period
- Cultural Responses to War
- Migration, Exile, Diaspora
- Crime and Detection in Literature
- Gender and Culture
- The Coming-of-Age Narrative
- Introduction to European Cinema
- Dynamics of Language and Power
- Languages Beyond University
- Student Wellbeing Service
- Student Counselling
- Student Disability and Learning Support
- University emergency helpline (available 24 hours a day)
- modern Arabic literature
- classical Arabic literature
- Islamic thought
- Arabic feminist texts and women's rights
- Islam and the Middle East
- Francophone literature and culture
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Arabic and French at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 3 years, £38,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £29,000 and £49,500. The £38,000 median after five years is £4,000 more than the UK median for French studies.
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Arabic and French at University of Edinburgh?
91% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Arabic and French at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 156 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Arabic and French at University of Edinburgh?
69% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 27 offers from 39 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Arabic and French at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Arabic and French at University of Edinburgh?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.