MA Arabic and Spanish
About this course
MA (Hons) in Arabic and Spanish, an undergraduate joint honours degree focusing on the study of two major world languages and their respective cultures, histories and societies. A full academic year abroad is compulsory in the third year to provide immersion in both languages. The first year covers foundational historical contexts through modules such as Islamic History and Modern Middle Eastern History. The second year develops practical language competencies across reading, writing, speaking and listening alongside option choices including Cultural Responses to War, Gender and Culture, and Introduction to European Cinema. The final year examines advanced topics including modern Arabic literature, classical Arabic literature, Islamic thought, Arabic feminist texts and women's rights, and Spanish and Latin American literature, culture, politics, history and linguistics.
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
See the highest paying Languages & English degrees in the UK →
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 66%: 25 offers from 38 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%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 55 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 8%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 6%
- West Midlands: 1%
- East of England: 2%
- London: 41%
- South East: 8%
- South West: 4%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 23%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
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
- 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
- Spanish and Latin American literature, culture, politics, history and linguistics
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Arabic and Spanish at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £29,000 after 3 years, £37,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £28,500 and £55,500. The £37,500 median after five years is £4,500 more than the UK median for Iberian studies.
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Arabic and Spanish 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 Spanish at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 169 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Arabic and Spanish at University of Edinburgh?
66% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 25 offers from 38 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Arabic and Spanish 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 Spanish at University of Edinburgh?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.