BA Politics and Arabic

Studying Politics and Arabic at Manchester is about more than lectures and essays—it’s about stepping into real-world experiences that shape your confidence and career. From mastering Arabic through immersive tools to living abroad in an Arabic-speaking country, you’ll constantly apply your learning in practical and inspiring ways. The programme blends political theory with cultural immersion, giving you both academic depth and life-changing skills.

And to make this learning come alive, you’ll have access to world-class resources and opportunities, such as:

• Year Abroad in an Arabic-speaking country – spend a full year studying at one of Manchester’s partner universities in the Middle East or North Africa, where you’ll live the language every day and gain first-hand political and cultural insights.

• Specialist Language Centre – practice Arabic in interpreting suites, digital recording rooms, and with professional language-learning software, supported by multimedia tools and resources for over 70 languages.

• Interdisciplinary learning – combine modules from the School of Social Sciences and the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures, so you explore both political systems and the societies shaping the Arabic-speaking world.

• Cutting-edge libraries and IT resources – benefit from Manchester’s world-class library network, where 95% of students praised the support and subject-specific resources, giving you everything you need for coursework, research, and independent study.

• Cultural and political immersion – enrich your degree with opportunities to engage in student-led language societies, political debates, and events that bring together people from diverse international backgrounds.

All these experiences ensure you don’t just learn about politics and Arabic—you live them, building a skill set that employers around the world truly value.

With a BA in Politics and Arabic, you’ll graduate with a rare combination of skills: the ability to think critically about global political issues while also communicating fluently in one of the world’s most influential languages. This opens exciting doors into careers where cultural understanding and diplomacy matter most. Many of our graduates move into roles such as Political Analyst, Diplomatic Officer, Foreign Service Advisor, or NGO Project Coordinator, contributing to organisations that shape policy, strengthen communities, and connect nations.

At Manchester, you’ll be supported every step of the way:

Personalised Career Support – From your first year, the University’s award-winning Careers Service will guide you with workshops, CV advice, and employer networking. Even after you graduate, you can still access this support for two years.

Global Reputation – Employers know Manchester graduates stand out. The university is consistently among the UK’s most targeted by leading recruiters, giving you an edge in the job market.

Industry Connections – With strong links to government departments, NGOs, and global organisations, you’ll have opportunities to explore internships, placements, and research that bring your learning to life.

• A Degree That Lasts – Beyond your first job, a Manchester degree stays with you as a mark of quality, giving long-term value to your career wherever in the world you go.

        Further Academic Progression

• If you want to keep learning, there are plenty of routes ahead. Some graduates choose to specialise with a Master’s in Political Science, International Relations, or Middle Eastern Studies, while others explore areas like International Development or Humanitarian Studies. And for those who want to shape knowledge and policy at the highest level, there’s the option of progressing into PhD research, focusing on the politics, history, or culture of the Arabic-speaking world.