Skip to main content

Undergraduate Study

Undergraduate MArabic (Master of Arabic and Islamic studies) - 2026 entry

Please note: The below is for 2026 entry. Click here for 2025 entry.
UCAS code T605
Duration 4 years
Entry year 2026
Campus Streatham Campus
Discipline Arab and Islamic Studies
Contact

Web: Enquire online
Phone: +44 (0)1392 723192

Typical offer

View full entry requirements

A-Level: ABB-BBB
IB: 32/655-30/555
BTEC: DDM

Contextual offers

A-Level: BBC-BCC
IB: 28/554-26/544
BTEC: DMM

Overview

  • You’ll gain a thorough knowledge of the dynamics of the contemporary Middle East including Middle Eastern ethnography, economy and economic development, gender and identity, politics, culture and arts, and religion and society
  • No language study or previous knowledge of Arabic required. Students with proficiency in Arabic seeking a more rigorous programme of study will be better suited to our BA Middle East Studies.
  • Our flexible module choices allow you to tailor your programme to your interests as you progress through your degree
  • Our academics have expertise across the social sciences and modern history, providing a balanced, multidisciplinary study of the area
  • You’ll develop an appreciation and understanding of the culture, history and language of the Middle East which can open up career paths in a wide variety of areas in both the public and private sectors

View 2025 Entry

Request a prospectus

Open Days

How to apply

Contact

Web: Enquire online

Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72

Top 5 icon

4th in the UK for African & Middle Eastern Studies

The Complete University Guide 2026

Heart icon

Top 3 in the Russell Group for student satisfaction in all seven themes

National Student Survey 2024

Briefcase icon

Work placements overseas to support career development

Third icon

3rd for Middle Eastern and African Studies

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

As you can imagine Arabic is a small course, though we have one of the biggest programmes for it in England.

This means that the level of individual support and attention we get is incredible.

I know that all my teachers truly know how I learn and how best to support me and if I need any more support I know that I can always go to them for help. All the lecturers are very passionate and find enriching ways to teach us. One of my favourite lessons was the last day of term where our lecturer hid clues in Arabic all around our institute and we were all running around the building trying to solve it with these massive dictionaries.

Read more from Sumiah

Sumiah

MArabic

Top 5 icon

4th in the UK for African & Middle Eastern Studies

The Complete University Guide 2026

Heart icon

Top 3 in the Russell Group for student satisfaction in all seven themes

National Student Survey 2024

Briefcase icon

Work placements overseas to support career development

Third icon

3rd for Middle Eastern and African Studies

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Entry requirements (typical offer)

Qualification Typical offer Required subjects
A-Level ABB-BBB n/a
IB 32/655-30/555 n/a
BTEC DDM n/a
GCSE C or 4 English Language
Access to HE 24 L3 Credits at Distinction Grade and 21 L3 credits at Merit Grade. N/A
T-Level Distinction N/A
Contextual Offer
* Please note: The contextual offer shown is an example based on offers made to students starting in 2025, and is for guidance only. We will confirm the contextual offer for 2026 entry later this year.* Please note: The contextual offer shown is an example based on offers made to students starting in 2024, and is for guidance only. We will confirm the contextual offer for 2025 entry later this year.

A-Level: BBC-BCC
IB: 28/554-26/544
BTEC: DMM

Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers.

Other accepted qualifications

View other accepted qualifications

English language requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

NB General Studies is not included in any offer.

Grades advertised on each programme webpage are the typical level at which our offers are made and provide information on any specific subjects an applicant will need to have studied in order to be considered for a place on the programme. However, if we receive a large number of applications for the programme we may not be able to make an offer to all those who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades which are in line with our typical offer. For more information on how applications are assessed and when decisions are released, please see: After you apply

Course content

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

You must take the compulsory modules listed below.  These total 105 credits.  You must therefore choose an additional 15 credit option module either from within the Institute of Arabic and Islamic studies or from outside of the department (under modularity) as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module. 

You must achieve a stage average of 50% including a mark of at least 50% in ARA1033B to be eligible to study abroad in stage 2 of the programme. If you do not achieve a 50% stage average and at least 50% in ARA1033B, you will be required to either repeat stage 1 of the programme or to transfer to a 3 year programme of study that does not include study abroad.

Compulsory modules

CodeModule Credits
ARA1010 Politics and Economy of the Contemporary Middle East 15
ARA1018 Introduction to Islam 15
ARA1033A Elementary Arabic Language I 30
ARA1033B Elementary Arabic Language II 30
ARA1036 Histories of the Middle East, 600-1800 C.E. 15

Optional modules

A maximum of 15 credits of options can be chosen from options not listed in the programme specifications, including Arab and Islamic Studies options.

CodeModule Credits
Arabic and Middle East Studies Stage 1 Option Modules 2025-6
ARA1013 Elementary Persian 15
ARA1020 Elementary Persian 2 15
ARA1030 Introduction to Islamic Archaeology 15
ARA1031 Elementary Turkish I 15
ARA1032 Elementary Turkish II 15
ARA1041 Religious Communities of the Middle East: Culture, Endangerment and Survival 15

Stage 2 is spent abroad in an accredited institution (which has a formal study abroad agreement with the University of Exeter) along with a work placement in the Arabic-speaking world directly following the study abroad period.

Compulsory modules

CodeModule Credits
ARA2174 Year Abroad with Work Placement 120

Compulsory modules

CodeModule Credits
ARA3190 Intermediate Arabic Language 30
ARA3196 Independent Research 30

Optional modules

You must select a further 60 credits of options modules. 

View optional modules here https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=arabislamicstudies

Please note that modules are subject to change and not all modules are available across all programmes, this is due to timetable, module size constraints and availability

You may select up to 30 credits  from outside of the department (under modularity) as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.

CodeModule Credits
Arabic and Middle East Studies Final Stage Option Modules 2025-6
ARA3045 War, Violence and Revolution in the Modern Middle East 30
ARA3108 The Politics of Authoritarian Rule 30
ARA3129 Nationalisms in the Middle East 15
ARA3136 The History and Political Development of Iraq 15
ARA3140 The Kurds: History and Politics 15
ARA3144 Advanced Persian Language I 15
ARA3145 Advanced Persian Language II 15
ARA3158 Armed Islamist Movements: Jihadism and Beyond 15
ARA3162 Britain in the Middle East, 1798-1977 15
ARA3163 Politics and Reform in the Gulf 15
ARA3196 Independent Research 30
ARA3197 The Arabian Nights: Perception and Reception 15
ARA3199 Plague in the Premodern Islamic World 15
ARA3200 Gender, Sexuality and Violence in Palestine/Israel 15
ARA3203 Queer Theory in a Global Context 15

In the final stage of the degree, you undertake postgraduate Masters modules

Stage 4 includes i) a further period of study abroad during part of the Autumn Term (spent in an accredited institution in the Arabic-speaking world) and ii) a short work placement in the Arabic-speaking world directly following the study abroad period. Please note that these periods of study and work abroad are explicitly linked to the Advanced Arabic Language module.

Compulsory modules

CodeModule Credits
ARAM081 Advanced Arabic Language 30
ARAM082 Dissertation 60

Optional modules

ONE 30 credit postgraduate module from the portfolio of IAIS Masters modules available. 

View optional modules here https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=arabislamicstudies

Please note that modules are subject to change and not all modules are available across all programmes, this is due to timetable, module size constraints and availability

CodeModule Credits
MArabic PGT Option Modules 2025-6
ARAM054 State and Society in the Middle East 30
ARAM090 Energy, Logistics, Infrastructure 30
ARAM091 Ecological Struggles 30
ARAM092 Practicum/Capstone Project 60
ARAM103 New Approaches to Islamic Thought 30
ARAM147 The Kurds: History and Politics 30
ARAM221 The Palestine Question: Past and Present 30
ARAM225 Gender and Politics in the Middle East 30
ARAM235 Contemporary History and Politics of the Gulf and the Arabian Peninsula 30
ARAM244 Politics and Economics of the Middle East 30
ARAM251 Esotericism and the Magical Tradition 30
ARAM256 Plague in the Premodern Islamic World 30

Fees

Please note: The fees for students starting in 2026 have yet to be set. The fees provided below are the fees for students starting in 2025 and are for guidance only. We will post the fees for 2026 entry shortly.

Tuition fees for 2025 entry

UK students: £9,535 per year
International students: £24,700 per year

Scholarships

The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships*.

Financial support is also available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.

* Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.

Find out more about tuition fees and scholarships

Learning and teaching

We use a wide range of teaching methods as well as encouraging independent study

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Study groups
  • Textual study
  • Web-based learning
  • Tutorial and discussion
  • Interactive classes for language modules

You will also have access to personal and subject tutors who will give you the individual help and guidance you need to succeed.

How will I be assessed?

  • Exams
  • Essays
  • Presentations
  • Project work
  • Dissertation in final year of study

You must pass your first year modules in order to proceed but your performance at this level does not count towards your final degree classification.

Where will I study?

The Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies has its own dedicated building that includes a state-of-the-art language laboratory and computing facilities for undergraduate students.

ExeTalks

ExeTalks are a chance to discover some of the fascinating research undertaken at the University of Exeter delivered by the academics who teach on our programmes.

Optional modules outside of this course

Each year, if you have optional modules available, you can take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of your course. This can increase your employability and widen your intellectual horizons.

Proficiency in a second subject

If you complete 60 credits of modules in specified subjects, you may have the words 'with proficiency in’ added to your degree title when you graduate.

Find out more about proficiency options

Expand text

92%of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.

Data for Arabic & Islamic Studies (Full time) at University of Exeter, over two years

For more official course information visit Discover Uni

See course data

link opens in new tab

Placement and Year Abroad

You will spend the second year at one of our accredited Arabic language study centres. Immersed in the culture of an Arabic country, you’ll supplement your language training through practical application. 

We currently have students in Amman in Jordan, but opportunities may also be available in other locations. Destinations are carefully chosen depending on conditions in the region and the latest details can be found on our website. Many of our students take the opportunity to travel throughout the region once they complete their assessments. On return, you will have increased your fluency in the language and gained an invaluable cultural appreciation of the region.

MArabic students have an additional opportunity to study and work abroad in their final (fourth) year, again at an accredited Arabic language centre.

Your future

A degree in Middle East Studies will give you an appreciation and understanding of the culture, history and language of the Middle East which will be valued by employers in both the public and private sectors. Alongside this you will gain a range of academic and professional skills including:

  • Analytical, critical and independent thinking
  • Independent research
  • Discussion and group work
  • Written and verbal communication
  • Organising, planning and time management 

Career paths

The broad range of transferable skills gained on our MArabic degree enables graduates to pursue further study or employment in a wide range of careers including:

  • Teaching, research or academia
  • Local or national government
  • The Civil Service
  • Business and finance
  • Charities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the UK and abroad
  • Marketing and public relations
  • Management and administration

Exeter Award and Exeter Leaders Award

Many of our students participate in The Exeter Award and The Exeter Leaders Award. These schemes encourage you to participate in employability related workshops, skills events, volunteering and employment which will contribute to your career decision-making skills and success in the employment market.

Developing your skills and career prospects

We provide a range of support to help you develop skills attractive to employers. You will be able to access a range of specific activities such as careers skills sessions and employer-led events, or seek bespoke advice and support from Employability Officers.

The Career Zone also organises a busy schedule of activities including careers fairs, skills workshops, and training events, and can advise on graduate opportunities and volunteering.

Expand text