MA Arabic with Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies
About this course
MA (Hons) in Arabic with Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, a degree centred on Arabic language acquisition alongside the history, religion and culture of the Islamic world and the Middle East. A compulsory year abroad provides immersive language study in an Arabic-speaking country. The first year covers foundational topics through Islamic History, Modern Middle Eastern History, and linguistics and language sciences. Year 2 advances language proficiency in reading, writing, speaking and listening, supported by modules such as the religion of Islam and Islamic and Middle Eastern Cultures. Year 3 consists of a compulsory period spent studying abroad in a region where Arabic is spoken.
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 55%: 12 offers from 22 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 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 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
- linguistics and language sciences
- business, economics and informatics
- politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations
- art and architectural history
- history, classics and archaeology
- Celtic and Scottish ethnology
- philosophy, divinity and law
- 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
- Student Wellbeing Service
- Student Counselling
- Student Disability and Learning Support
- University emergency helpline (available 24 hours a day)
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Arabic with Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £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 £6,000 more than the UK median for African and modern Middle Eastern studies.
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Arabic with Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies 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 with Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies 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 with Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at University of Edinburgh?
55% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 12 offers from 22 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Arabic with Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies 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 with Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at University of Edinburgh?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.