Arab and Islamic Studies
About this course
MArabic in Arab and Islamic Studies, an undergraduate degree centred on the language, history, politics, and religious traditions of the Middle East. Core topics include Research Methods. The programme includes a compulsory year abroad spent in an Arabic-speaking country with a work placement. The first year covers foundational subjects through Politics and Economy of the Contemporary Middle East, Introduction to Islam, Elementary Arabic Language I, Elementary Arabic Language II, and Histories of the Middle East, 600-1800 C.E., alongside optional modules such as Introduction to Islamic Archaeology and Elementary Turkish I. The second year consists of a compulsory Year Abroad with Work Placement in an Arabic-speaking region. In the third year, compulsory modules include Intermediate Arabic Language and Independent Research, which leads to a dissertation. Optional modules in the later stages allow students to study topics such as Nationalisms in the Middle East, The History and Political Development of Iraq, and The Kurds: History and Politics.
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-BBB IB: 32/655-30/555 BTEC: DDM
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What students say
Based on about 10 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 98%
- Learning opportunities: 92%
- Assessment and feedback: 95%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 83%
- Learning resources: 97%
- Student voice: 75%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
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, Research and Administrative Professionals: 15%
- Caring personal services: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Media Professionals: 10%
- 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 (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
- Introduction to Islam
- Elementary Arabic Language I
- Elementary Arabic Language II
- Histories of the Middle East, 600-1800 C.E.
- Introduction to Islamic Archaeology
- Elementary Turkish I
- Elementary Turkish II
- Religious Communities of the Middle East: Culture, Endangerment and Survival
- Year Abroad with Work Placement
- Intermediate Arabic Language
- Independent Research
- 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
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of Arab and Islamic Studies 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 £6,000 more than the UK median for African and modern Middle Eastern studies.
What do graduates of Arab and Islamic Studies 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 Arab and Islamic Studies at University of Exeter?
98% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for Arab and Islamic Studies at University of Exeter?
The typical offer is ABB at A level. The average entrant had 136 UCAS points.
Does Arab and Islamic Studies at University of Exeter include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on Arab and Islamic Studies at University of Exeter?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.