Arabic and Politics, MA (Hons)

Arabic is the primary language of over 350 million people across a vast region from the Atlantic to the Persian Gulf, ranking as the sixth most spoken language globally and one of the United Nations' official languages. The Arab world, as Europe's close neighbour, holds significant influence in global politics, making a joint honours degree in Arabic and Politics a compelling choice. This programme provides a comprehensive foundation in classical and modern Arabic, developing skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking for beginners. Students explore the history, societies, politics, and cultures of the Middle East, culminating in a year abroad for full immersion.Politics examines the theory and practice of governance, addressing how institutions create rules, who wields power, the impacts of decisions, and the pursuit of a just society. Drawing on expert research, the programme investigates conflicts over power, participation, and resources at local, national, and international levels, including the ethics of political action. At the University of Edinburgh, a renowned leader in these fields, students can select interdisciplinary courses, specialise over time, and graduate with valued intercultural and specialist skills in a vibrant, international community.