Skip navigation
Arabic and Business at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS

Course summary

Arabic is the main language of more than 350 million people and the sixth most widely spoken in the world. It is the common language of the 22 countries in the Arab League, and one of the six official languages of the United Nations. The Middle East and North Africa play a key role in global commerce and industry. This makes Arabic and Business an excellent joint honours combination. Arabic Our programme is designed to give you a thorough grounding in both classical and modern Arabic. You will develop skills in writing, reading, listening to and speaking the language. Through your studies, you will learn to understand, interpret and discuss original material, including Arabic novels, newspapers, and television. Our courses open the door to a fascinating and varied region. You will study aspects of the Arabic-speaking world, past and present, including the history, societies, cultures and politics of the Middle East. Year 1 courses are designed for beginners. Our programme is not for native speakers of Arabic, but we do welcome heritage language learners. We can also accommodate students with some prior experience of studying Arabic through exemptions from introductory language study. By Year 3, all students will have the language skills to spend the year studying in a country in which Arabic is spoken. Business Studying business will prepare you for the social, political, environmental and cultural challenges facing contemporary businesses, governments and not-for-profit organisations. Taught by world-leading industry professionals and researchers, you will develop personal and professional competencies, such as:

  • authentic leadership
  • ethical, responsible, sustainable business behaviour
  • entrepreneurial practice
  • effective communication
You can also participate in business societies, business events and peer-support schemes. Why Edinburgh We are recognised in the UK and internationally as a leading institution for the study of Arabic and the Middle East. Leading graduate employers are involved across our Business curriculum and we have strong links to the world of practice through research, consultancy and teaching. When you graduate, you will have the combination of broad cultural education and specialist business and language skills valued by employers worldwide. How long it takes to complete this degree programme This programme is studied over 4 years, including a Year Abroad. This enables us to build choice and flexibility into your studies, giving you time to explore options, find what you like and build your skills. Your first two years will be your pre-honours years. They will give you a good grounding in your subjects. In addition to studying core courses, you will broaden your education and skill set by choosing option courses from a range of disciplines. This gives you the chance to build your intercultural awareness in other areas of the arts, humanities, social sciences and beyond. Your final two years will be your honours years. You will spend Year 3 abroad, gaining lived experience of Arabic and Middle Eastern culture and completing a Business Project Portfolio. Year 4 will be tailored to your interests in specific topics or approaches to Arabic literature, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, and Business. You will also further develop your Arabic language and translation skills. Programme benefits
  • Learn in an historic city where Arabic has been taught since the 18th century.
  • Study over four years, including one abroad.
  • Become fluent in one of the UN's six official languages.
  • Gain accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS).
  • Try out different subjects in your first two years.
  • Delve into fantastic libraries and collections.


How to apply

This course is not open to application until the 13th May 2025.

Application codes

Course code:
TN61
Institution code:
E56
Campus name:
Central area campus
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Standard Qualification Requirements

This degree programme has a subject requirement of a language other than English. You may not use your own native language to meet this requirement. English or an alternative language other than native will be acceptable.  Arabic degrees involve beginners language study and are not suitable for native or near-native speakers. Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply. You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference.

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/294-arabic-and-business

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Please click the following link to find out more about minimum qualification requirements for this course

https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/294-arabic-and-business


English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5total 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)92total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
Cambridge English Advancedtotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Cambridge English Proficiencytotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Trinity ISEISE II with distinctions in all four components.

You must prove that you can read, write, listen and speak in the English language at a level that will allow you to succeed in your studies. This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals. You can meet our English language requirements with qualifications from school or an English language test. We accept any of the following, at the specified grade or higher: SQA National 5: English at C; GCSE: English at C or 4; Level 2 Certificate: English at C; International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard Level: English at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry). Before you apply, check the required subjects for this programme, as you may need a higher English grade to meet the academic requirements. We also accept other qualifications from around the world. If you don’t have school qualifications that meet our requirements, we accept any of the English language tests, at the specified grade or higher, as detailed above. Qualifications from the following English language tests must be no more than two years old from the start date of your programme, regardless of your nationality: IELTS, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT. All other types of English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of your programme. If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country or region, as defined by UKVI, there is no time limit on how old these other types of English language qualifications can be.

Full details of our English language requirements can be found on our website:

https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry-requirements/english-language


Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
No data
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
No data
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Channel Islands £9535* Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9535* Year 1
Scotland £1820* Year 1
England £9535* Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535* Year 1
Wales £9535* Year 1
EU £29600 Year 1
International £29600 Year 1

*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Scotland - Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees. Please note the 2026-27 fee rate is yet to be confirmed by the Scottish Government. England/Wales/Northern Ireland - The Rest of UK (RUK) rate is yet to be confirmed. The fee for 2025 entry was £9,535. For 2026 entry this may increase in line with inflation and will be subject to government limits. EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees. Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme
Arabic and Business at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS