MA Arabic and Politics

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Edinburgh

Program Overview

If you're fascinated by global politics and want to understand the Arab world through both language and culture, this degree is a fantastic fit. The Arabic and Politics MA at Edinburgh lets you start Arabic from scratch while exploring the political systems, histories, and conflicts that shape today’s world.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

You’ll begin Arabic step-by-step with beginner modules like Arabic 1a and Arabic 1b, building confidence in reading, writing, and speaking. Alongside this, you’ll take an introductory politics course such as Modern Middle Eastern History: Domestic Transformation and International Challenges, giving you early insight into the region you’re studying the language of.

Year 2

Your Arabic becomes stronger and more expressive through modules like Arabic 2, where you deepen your grammar and communication skills. In politics, you’ll move into bigger questions through courses like Politics and International Relations: Concepts and Debates and Comparative Politics in a Globalised World, helping you see how different systems and ideologies work in practice.

Year 3 (Year Abroad)

This is the year everything becomes real. You’ll live and study in an Arabic-speaking country, using the language every day and absorbing the culture firsthand. Alongside language immersion, you’ll continue your politics learning, gaining a richer understanding of how political and social realities unfold on the ground.

Year 4

In your final year, you can shape your degree around the topics that excite you most. You’ll take advanced Arabic or translation courses and choose from a range of specialised politics modules — from international governance to political thought. It’s a year that brings your language skills and political understanding together.

Focus Areas

Arabic language & culture, Middle Eastern societies, global politics, governance, international relations.

Learning Outcomes

You’ll graduate with strong Arabic communication skills, a deep understanding of political systems, the ability to analyse global issues, and the cultural awareness needed for international careers.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The degree isn’t tied to a single professional body, but it’s highly aligned with careers in diplomacy, international organisations, NGOs, global policy, media, and any role needing strong language and cultural insight.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

The University of Edinburgh is consistently ranked among the world’s top universities, and graduates from this degree enjoy excellent outcomes — around 90% go into work or further study within 15 months.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

One of the best things about studying Arabic and Politics at Edinburgh is how much of your learning happens beyond the lecture room. You won’t just study the language and global affairs in theory — you’ll use real Arabic media, engage with political case studies, and take advantage of the University’s excellent language-learning environment. And the highlight for most students is the year abroad, where you apply everything you’ve learned while living in an Arabic-speaking country.

As you move through the degree, you’ll keep building practical skills through hands-on classes, specialist collections, and collaborative work in both language and politics. Here’s how that experience comes to life:

A full year abroad in an Arabic-speaking country, giving you daily exposure to Arabic, cultural immersion, and invaluable insight into regional politics.
Access to the School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures’ dedicated resources, including language-learning labs, Arabic media materials, and specialist study spaces.
Use of the University’s Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies collections, where you work directly with Arabic literature, newspapers, and broadcasts as part of your coursework.
Regular seminars, discussions, and group projects in politics modules, helping you build teamwork and presentation skills while analysing real political scenarios.
Strong library and digital learning support, with high student satisfaction for IT tools and learning resources.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from Edinburgh’s Arabic and Politics degree step into the world with a powerful mix of fluent language skills and real political insight — something employers genuinely value. Whether you want to work in diplomacy, policy, media, or international development, this programme gives you the foundation to move confidently into impactful roles. Many students go on to careers such as policy advisor, diplomatic services officer, international NGO project coordinator, or journalist.

And Edinburgh supports you every step of the way:

Edinburgh Careers Service offers personalised career guidance, CV and cover-letter reviews, internship advice, and employer networking events.
The School of Social and Political Science Development Hub runs politics-focused career sessions, employer talks, and mentoring with professionals in government, NGOs, policy, and international relations.
Graduate outcomes for related Politics programmes show strong results: around 75% are employed within 15 months, with starting salaries typically around £26,500.
You benefit from the University’s reputation as one of the top UK institutions for employability, helping your CV stand out globally.
Edinburgh’s long-standing strengths in languages, Middle Eastern studies, and political science give you a degree with strong long-term value in any international career.

Further Academic Progression:

If you want to continue your studies, this degree opens doors to postgraduate pathways such as International Relations, Middle Eastern Studies, Translation Studies, Global Security, or Public Policy — and can even lay the groundwork for a future PhD or research career.