Program description
Arabic MA Hons
Whilst St Andrews does not offer Arabic as a single Honours degree, you can take Arabic in combination with a wide variety of other subjects as part of a joint Honours degree. It is useful to study Arabic, by far the most commonly used language of the Middle East, alongside almost any subject as it offers the opportunity for comparative analyses between different languages, literatures, cultures, histories, politics and economics.
By choosing to study Arabic, you will learn the language of the Arabic media as well as classical and modern Arabic languages and literature. All Arabic modules prioritise building a high level of competence in language skills, and after completing the first two years of your course, you will be able to read, write and converse in basic Modern Standard Arabic.
Speak virtually at a live event on March 18th-20th!
Admission requirements
These grades are the overall standards required to consider you for entry. Find out more about Standard, Minimum and Gateway entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.
- SQA Highers
- GCE A-Levels
- IB points
International applicants
If English is not your first language you will need an overall IELTS score of 7.0, with a minimum score of 6.5 in each component (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking), or an equivalent English language qualification.
For more information about admission requirements, please visit the university website.
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Learn moreProgram content
First Year
Students are required to take the following compulsory modules in their first year:
- Arabic for Beginners 1
- Arabic for Beginners 2
Second Year
Students are required to take the following compulsory modules in their second year:
- Intermediate Arabic 1
- Intermediate Arabic 2
Honours
If you take Arabic in your third and fourth years, you will choose from a variety of advanced options which incorporate literary, historical and cultural studies into language learning.
Modules in previous years at Honours level have included (but are not limited to):
- Arabic Short Stories
- Classical Arabic Poetry
- Exile and Identity
- Fannanat: Arab Women's Creativity in Modern Arab Culture
- Key Texts in Classical Arabic Literature and Culture
- Media Arabic
- Modern Arab Culture and Society
- Palestinian Fiction.
Scholarships & funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the university website for more information.
Program delivery
Sub-honours Arabic modules are delivered through lectures and small-group tutorials. At Honours level, lectures are replaced by small classes alongside tutorials. Typical class sizes for Arabic:
- first year: lectures 40 to 80 students, tutorials 10 to 15 students
- second year: lectures 20 to 40 students, tutorials 10 to 15 students
- Honours: classes 5 to 20 students, tutorials 5 to 15 students.
When not attending lectures, tutorials and practical language classes, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve:
- working on individual and group projects
- undertaking research in the library and online
- preparing coursework assignments and presentations
- preparing for examinations.
Tuition fees
Career opportunities
Graduates in Arabic go on to a wide range of careers for which an Arts degree is a recognised qualification. Graduates of the Department have become:
- academics in international institutions
- civil servants in government departments (notably the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the US State Department)
- employees in non-governmental organisations and international companies
- human rights lawyers
- journalists.
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About this institute
University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews is Scotland’s first University. As a 600 year-old institution, we are known across the globe for our world leading quality and depth of research. For six centuries some of the world’s brightest and most promising...
Why study at University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews is situated in a truly beautiful location. Part of a seaside town it is a picturesque and inspirational location to pursue your studies, where you will have the thinking space needed to be your very best. As a smaller university our size is one of our greatest strengths with class sizes allowing for a close and individual learning experience and giving great access and support from your teachers.
Graduates of St Andrews are highly sought after by employers around the world due to our reputation for excellence. A qualification from St Andrews will help you reach your ambitions and kickstart your career.
Consistently ranked as the best student academic experience in the UK by students in the National Student Survey, your time as a student in St Andrews will be unique and rewarding, leaving you with a prestigious qualification, but also memories and connections to treasure for years to come.
Contact info
University of St Andrews
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