BA Arabic and Politics
About this course
BA in Arabic and Politics, an undergraduate degree combining Arabic language acquisition with political studies, comparative government, and international relations. Core topics include Data Analysis, Research Methods, Policy Analysis. The four-year programme includes a compulsory year abroad spent studying in an Arabic-speaking country and concludes with a substantial independent dissertation project. The first year establishes core foundations through Politics and Economy of the Contemporary Middle East, Elementary Arabic Language I, Elementary Arabic Language II, and Introduction to Comparative Politics, alongside optional choices such as Introduction to Islam or Globalisation of World Politics. During the second year, students undertake a compulsory year abroad in an Arabic-speaking region to build practical linguistic proficiency and cultural awareness. The third year advances language and political theory through Intermediate Arabic Language II, The Economics of Politics, and Political Thought of Modernity, with options ranging from Islamist Movements to Security Studies. The final year centres on Advanced Arabic Language and the Dissertation, complemented by specialised optional modules such as Nationalisms in the Middle East, Political Psychology and the World, and Comparative Political Economy: Theory, Evidence, and Policy.
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. IB: 32/655.
See the highest paying Social Sciences degrees in the UK →
See the highest paying Languages & English degrees in the UK →
What students say
Based on about 15 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 97%
- Learning opportunities: 90%
- Assessment and feedback: 92%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 86%
- Learning resources: 95%
- Student voice: 80%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 25 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 7 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 85%
- Further study: 10%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 22%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 13%
- Finance Professionals: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 7%
- Elementary occupations: 7%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 230 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 10%
- London: 38%
- South East: 15%
- South West: 21%
- Wales: 4%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Politics and Economy of the Contemporary Middle East
- Elementary Arabic Language I
- Elementary Arabic Language II
- Introduction to Comparative Politics
- Introduction to Islam
- Introduction to Persian History and Culture
- Introduction to Islamic Archaeology
- Elementary Turkish I
- Elementary Turkish II
- Histories of the Middle East, 600-1800 C.E.
- Religious Communities of the Middle East: Culture, Endangerment and Survival
- Critical Skills for Politics and International Relations
- Globalisation of World Politics
- The Challenges of World Politics in the Twenty-First Century
- Power and Democracy
- Classical Political Thought
- Early Modern Political Thought
- International Politics of the Global South
- Global Sustainability Policy and Governance
- The Politics of Development
- Introduction to Social Data
- Data Analysis in Social Science 1
- Year Abroad
- Intermediate Arabic Language II
- The Economics of Politics
- Political Thought of Modernity
- Regions and Empires in Islamic Archaeology
- Magic and the Abrahamic Religions
- Islamist Movements: From the Muslim Brothers to the Islamic State
- Gender-Identity and Modernity in the Middle East
- Islamic Law and Society
- Ethnography of the Middle East
- Conflict and Peacemaking Palestine/Israel
- Classical Islamic History
- Muslims in Britain
- Political Economy of Development in the Middle East
- Intermediate Turkish I
- Intermediate Turkish II
- A History of the Modern Middle East, 1900-2014
- Contemporary Theories of World Politics
- The Politics of the World Economy
- American Politics
- Political Philosophy
- Security Studies
- Explaining Public Policies
- Introduction to Research Design in Politics and International Relations
- Comparative Electoral Systems
- Environmental Governance
- Foreign Policy Analysis
- Research Design in the Social Sciences
- Data Analysis in Social Science 2
- Data Analysis in Social Science 3
- Advanced Arabic Language
- Dissertation
- From Home Lands to Host States: Migration, Displacement and Diaspora in the Middle East
- Drugs: Histories, Science, Policy
- Nationalisms in the Middle East
- The History and Political Development of Iraq
- The Kurds: History and Politics
- Iranian History, 1500-the Present
- Armed Islamist Movements: Jihadism and Beyond
- Britain in the Middle East, 1798-1977
- Politics and Reform in the Gulf
- The Arabian Nights: Perception and Reception
- Gender, Sexuality and Violence in Palestine/Israel
- Queer Theory in a Global Context
- The Politics of Authoritarian Rule
- Violence and Revolution in the Modern Middle East
- Surveys and Experiments: Design Implementation and Analysis
- Contemporary African Politics
- Chinese Political Economy and Foreign Policy
- Comparative Political Economy: Theory, Evidence, and Policy
- Radical Political Thinking: Power, Life, Progress
- Political Thought of the 20th Century: From Liberalism to Postcolonialism
- Political Psychology and the World
- Political Violence, Intervention, and the Aftermath
- Race, Politics, and Policy
- Public Opinion and Global Crises
- Russian and Eurasian Politics and Security
- Latin American Parties, Politics, and Elections
- Data Visualisation
- Data Analysis in Social Science 3
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Arabic and Politics at University of Exeter earn?
The median salary is £29,000 after 15 months, £28,500 after 3 years, £36,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £29,000 and £48,000. The £36,500 median after five years is £2,500 more than the UK median for Politics.
What do graduates of BA Arabic and Politics at University of Exeter do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Arabic and Politics at University of Exeter?
97% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Arabic and Politics at University of Exeter?
The typical offer is ABB at A level. The average entrant had 131 UCAS points.
Does BA Arabic and Politics at University of Exeter include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Arabic and Politics at University of Exeter?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.