Arabic and Persian (MA)

Introducing MA Arabic and Persian

This wide-ranging joint honours programme is your opportunity to learn the languages spoken by more than 470 million people worldwide. Together, Arabic and Persian open the door to a fascinating and varied region taking in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia. They are also your gateway to the rich intellectual heritage of Islam.

Arabic is the sixth most widely spoken language in the world and is one of the six official languages of the United Nations. Persian is the national language of Iran, where it is indigenously known as Farsi, and spoken as Dari in Afghanistan and Tajik in Tajikistan.

Language learning in its cultural context

Our four-year programme is designed to give complete beginners a thorough grounding in Arabic and Persian, both classical and modern. It is not for native speakers, but we do welcome heritage language learners. We can also accommodate students with some prior experience of studying Arabic or Persian through exemptions from introductory language study.

You will develop advanced language skills over your four years, including in translation. You will gain the confidence to express yourself in modern Arabic and Persian, both written and spoken, on a wide range of topical issues.

Your language learning will open up a wealth of original material enriching your study of:

• society, religion and culture
• history and politics
• literature, art, and cinema

[Updated 10 January 2025 to provide more information about language courses]

Why Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is recognised in the UK and internationally as a leading institution for teaching and research in Arabic, Persian, Islam, and the Middle East.

Arabic has been taught here since the mid 18th century and, today, we are the only university in Scotland to offer courses in the Muslim world’s three main languages.

You will have access to over 23,000 resources in the University's collections in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, and a regular programme of workshops, film screenings, book launches and guest seminars.

Studying over four years gives you the blend of specialist skills and Intercultural Competence needed for a range of careers around the globe. Your language learning and cultural awareness will make you ideally placed to work with displaced people from Arab- and Persian-speaking countries now living in Europe and other parts of the world, and with international organisations advancing refugee issues, rights and spaces.

Studying Arabic and Persian has not only given me the chance to learn two beautiful languages but also enter the rich and diverse cultures of the Middle East. I have enjoyed learning both languages while simultaneously exploring literature, history, religion and politics. The staff are passionate and supportive and constantly work to provide a fulfilling experience.

• Lajeen, Arabic and Persian MA Hons

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S5 or AABB/ABBBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 36 points with 665 at HL - 34 points with 655 at HL.

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 34 points with 655 at HL.

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

• SQA: Highers: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5s: a language other than English at A and English at C.
• A Levels: no specific A Level subjects required. GCSEs: a language other than English at A or 7 and English at C or 4.
• IB: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: a language other than English at 6 and English at 5.

Additional requirements

Native speakers

Please note that the Arabic and Persian degree involves beginners language study and is not suitable for native or near-native speakers.

Language requirement

For degrees that have a subject requirement of a language other than English, students may not use their own native language to meet this requirement. In these instances, English or an alternative language other than native will be acceptable.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme.

International Foundation Programme

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 at C
• GCSE at C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate at C
• IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 162 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 54 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 5 in each component.*

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT, or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.

English language requirements

(*Revised 24 May 2024 to change PTE Academic requirement from total 62 with at least 54 in each component, and to clarify that we do not accept PTE Academic online. Revised 29 August 2024 to add Oxford ELLT requirements.)

Skills and experience

Studying languages to degree level demonstrates that you are a good communicator, and someone open to other cultures and new ideas – what employers value as Intercultural Competence.

Beyond the language skills you will develop on this programme, and the nuanced understanding you will gain of diverse cultures and societies, graduating with a four-year Master of Arts degree from the University of Edinburgh shows intellectual maturity, resilience, and flexibility.

The skills you will be able to demonstrate to employers when you graduate include the ability to:

• understand, analyse and articulate complex issues and concepts
• manage your time to meet deadlines on different types of projects
• work independently and as part of a group

Opportunities across sectors

Our programmes are an excellent primer for a range of careers, especially those that place a premium on thinking that is both disciplined and imaginative.

Within the private, public, not-for-profit, and for-benefit sectors, previous graduates have gone on to work in:

• business, finance and commerce
• communications, marketing, advertising and public relations
• education, outreach, advocacy and training
• journalism, broadcasting and media
• leisure, tourism and travel
• politics, policy work, diplomacy, civil service and law
• publishing, culture, heritage and the arts
• research, development and venture acceleration
• translating and interpreting

Local and global opportunities

With increasing migration in response to changing global dynamics, there is demand for our graduates both at home and abroad.

Wherever you are based in the world, the ability to communicate in these two world languages, and to understand the cultures to which they open doors, will make you stand out.

If you are keen to work abroad, it’s good to know that:

• more than 350 million people are native speakers of Arabic, the sixth most widely spoken language in the world
• Arabic is the common language of the 22 countries in the Arab League, and one of the six official languages of the United Nations, with sizeable communities of speakers in Western Europe and Latin America
• collectively, the three variants of modern Persian (Farsi, Dari and Tajik) are the first language of more than 120 million people in the Middle East and Central Asia. There are also significant communities of speakers in Europe (including Turkey), Australia and North America

Your language learning and cultural awareness will make you ideally placed to work with displaced people from Iran, Afghanistan and elsewhere now living in Europe and other parts of the world, and with international organisations advancing refugee issues, rights and spaces.

Further study

The enhanced research skills you will develop on a four-year programme, particularly in your honours years, are a valuable asset if you wish to continue studying at postgraduate level.

At the University, we typically offer both a taught MSc and a Masters by Research programme in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies. Our portfolio of interdisciplinary taught MSc programmes typically includes:

• The Globalised Muslim World
• Comparative Literature
• Intermediality
• Translation Studies

Each of these programmes is a good foundation for a PhD, but is equally of value as a stand-alone qualification.

Careers advice

Throughout your time with us, we will encourage you to identify and hone your employability skills.

As part of the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC), we have a dedicated Careers Consultant within the University's excellent Careers Service.

You can book one-to-one appointments and practice interviews, access a range of online resources, and attend themed fairs such as the Creative and Cultural Careers Festival.

Popular peer support includes Life After LLC, a panel event where you can draw inspiration from our recent graduates.

Be inspired by our alumni