MA Arabic and Politics
About this course
MA (Hons) in Arabic and Politics is a joint honours degree that combines the study of the Arabic language with political theory and international relations. A compulsory year abroad is included in the curriculum. The first year introduces political concepts and global dimensions through modules such as Politics and International Relations 1A: Concepts and Debates, Politics and International Relations 1B: The Global Dimension, and Political Thinkers (an introduction to political theory). The second year focuses on core language acquisition across reading, writing, speaking, and listening, alongside optional study in areas including business, economics and informatics, social policy and social anthropology, art and architectural history, history, classics and archaeology, Celtic and Scottish ethnology, linguistics and language sciences, and philosophy, divinity and law. The third year consists of university support services. The fourth year advances linguistic and cultural knowledge through modules such as modern Arabic literature, classical Arabic literature, Islamic thought, and Arabic feminist texts and women's rights.
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: no specific A level subjects required) IB: 34 points with 655 at HL
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 42%: 5 offers from 12 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 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 58 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 62%
- Working and studying: 13%
- Further study: 8%
- Unemployed: 8%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 16%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 14%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 11%
- Sales occupations: 8%
- Elementary occupations: 7%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 225 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 6%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 2%
- London: 38%
- South East: 9%
- South West: 3%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 28%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 60%
- Baccalaureate: 30%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
Modules
- Politics and International Relations 1A: Concepts and Debates
- Politics and International Relations 1B: The Global Dimension
- Political Thinkers (an introduction to political theory)
- reading
- writing
- speaking
- listening
- business, economics and informatics
- social policy and social anthropology
- art and architectural history
- history, classics and archaeology
- Celtic and Scottish ethnology
- linguistics and language sciences
- philosophy, divinity and law
- 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
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Arabic and Politics at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £28,000 after 3 years, £36,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £28,000 and £48,500. The £36,500 median after five years is £2,500 more than the UK median for Politics.
What do graduates of MA Arabic and Politics at University of Edinburgh do next?
83% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Arabic and Politics 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 Politics at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 170 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Arabic and Politics at University of Edinburgh?
42% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 5 offers from 12 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Arabic and Politics 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 Politics at University of Edinburgh?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.