BA Arabic

Program Overview

Key information

Start date

September

Duration

4 years

Start of programme

September 2025

Attendance mode

Full-time

Location

On Campus

Fees

Home: £9,535 International: £22,870

Course code

T620

Entry requirements

ABB Contextual: BBB

International entry requirements

• Austria: Reifeprufungszeugnis / Maturazeugnis: four subjects at 1, 2, 2, 2
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Belgium: Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs: 75% (7.5/10, 15/20) overall
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Bulgaria: Diploma za Zavarsheno Sredno Obrazovanie: 5.3 and 5.0 in two State Maturity Exams
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Canada: High School Diploma: 80% with 5 acceptable Grade 12 subjects (most territories). British Columbia: AABBB in Grade 12 courses.
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• China: Senior Secondary Graduation Certificate + Gaokao: 78% overall in Gaokao PLUS 85% overall in Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate (year 11 and 12)
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Croatia: Matura Certificate: 4.5 overall with 5 in 1 Higher level subject
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Cyprus: Apolytirion with 2 A-Levels: Apolytirion 18/20 + A-level grades BB
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Czech Republic: Matura Certificate: 1, 2, 2, 2
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Denmark: Studentereksamen; Hojere Forberedelseseksamen; Hojere Handelseksamen; Hojere Teknisk Eksamen: 7 plus 10, 7, 7 in three Level A subjects
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Estonia: Gümnaasiumi lõputunnistus with the Riigieksamitunnistus: 4.0 with 85%, 80%, and 80% in 3 state exams
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Finland: Ylioppilastukint / Studentexamen: four subjects at 6, 5, 5, 5
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• France: French Baccalaureat or Option Internationale du Baccalauréat (OIB): 13/20
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Germany: Abitur: 1.8
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Greece: Apolytirion of Geniko Lykeio with Pan Hellenic exams: 18/20
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Hong Kong: Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education: 544 in two electives and one core (all other subjects grade 3)
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Hungary: Matura (Erettségi): 4.5 overall
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Iceland: Stúdentspróf: 7.5
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• India: Standard XII: 75% (CBSE, CISCE, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra & West Bengal boards), 80% (all other state boards)
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Ireland: Irish Leaving Certificate: H1, H2, H2, H3, H3
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Israel: Bagrut: Overall grade of 7, 80% with 3 subjects at 5-unit level
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Italy: Diploma Consequito con L’Esame di Stato: 80% overall
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Latvia: Certificate of General Secondary Education: 88% in four State subject exams
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Lithuania: Brandos Atestatas: 8.5/10 and 90%, 85%, 85% in three State Exam
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Malta: Advanced Matriculation Certificate: AB (Advanced) + BBB (Intermediate)
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Netherlands: Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs: 7.5 overall with 8, 8, 7, 7 in four subjects
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Norway: Vitnemål vidergaende opplaering: 4.3 overall
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Poland: New Polish Matura: 75% in three Advanced Level subjects
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Portugal: Diploma de Ensino Secundario: overall 17.5/20
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Romania: Diploma de Bacalaureat: 8.5 overall
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Singapore: Polytechnic Diploma (Nanyang, Ngee Ann, Singapore, Temasek and Republic Polytechnic): GPA 3.3
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Slovakia: Maturitná skúška / Maturita / Vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške: four subjects at 1, 2, 2, 2
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• South Africa: National Senior Certificate: 77666
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Spain: Curso de Orientación Universitaria / Título de Bachillerato: 7.5
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Sweden: Slutbetyg / Examensbevis från Gymnasieskolan: A in 1200 credits and no grades below D / 18 / mainly B overall (MVG/VG)
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Switzerland: Federal Maturity Certificate: 4.5
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Tanzania: Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education: ACSE with BBB in 3 principle subjects
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Trinidad and Tobago: CAPE: Six CAPE units with grade 2 (+two double-unit courses)
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• Turkey: Lise Diplomasi: 78-83% (depending on high school)
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB
• USA: High School Diploma plus ACT, SAT, or AP exams:
  • High School Diploma GPA 3.0 plus SAT 1280 or ACT 27 and 2 AP's at 4,4
  • High School Diploma GPA of 3.2 plus 2 AP's at 4,4
  • High School Diploma GPA 3.4 plus SAT 1300 or ACT 29
  • 2-year Associate degree GPA 3.1
• A Level equivalent: ABB
• Contextualised offer: BBB

Course overview

The BA Arabic programme provides students with a solid foundation in Arabic, training them in both the written and the spoken forms of the language and exposing them to related cultural, social and historical contexts and literary and artistic practices, thereby equipping them with the skills they need to achieve linguistic and cultural fluency.

Why study Arabic at SOAS?

• SOAS is ranked 7th in the UK for African and Middle Eastern Studies (Complete University Guide 2025)
• SOAS is ranked 13th in the UK for Modern Languages (QS World University Rankings 2025)
• Modern Languages and Linguistics at SOAS has been ranked 10th in the UK in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
• We've also been ranked 4th for research environment - with 100% of our research ranked as 'internationally excellent' and 85% as 'world-leading' - and 8th for research outputs in the REF 2021

Structure

Students take modules to the value of 120 credits per year. There is some element of choice to develop special interests.

Language modules at an advanced level are also available to students who have the necessary background.

Important notice

The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The modules are indicative options of the content students can expect and are/have been previously taught as part of these programmes.

However, this information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.

Year 1 - Arabic 3 pathway - Core

• Arabic 3 A (UG) - 15 credits
• Arabic 3 B (UG) - 15 credits

Year 1 - Arabic 1 pathway - Core

• Arabic 2 (UG) - 30 credits
• Arabic 1 (UG) - 30 credits

Year 1 - Arabic 1 pathway - Compulsory

• Introduction to Arabic Culture - 15 credits
• Humanities Toolkit - 15 credits

Year 1 - Arabic 3 pathway - Compulsory

• Introduction to Arabic Culture - 15 credits
• Arabic Dialects A - 15 credits
• Humanities Toolkit - 15 credits

Year 1 - Arabic 1 pathway - Guided options List A

• 30 credits from List A
• Languages of the World - 15 credits
• H130 Introduction to the History of the Middle East - 15 credits
• The Art of Storytelling - 15 credits

Year 1 - Arabic 3 pathway - Guided options List A

• 30 credits from List A
• Languages of the World - 15 credits
• H130 Introduction to the History of the Middle East - 15 credits
• The Art of Storytelling - 15 credits

Year 2 - Arabic 3 pathway - Core

• Arabic 4 A (UG) - 15 credits
• Arabic 4 B (UG) - 15 credits

Year 2 - Arabic 1 pathway - Core

• Arabic 3 A (UG) - 15 credits
• Arabic 3 B (UG) - 15 credits

Year 2 - Arabic 1 pathway - Compulsory

• Arabic Dialects A - 15 credits

Year 2 - Arabic 3 pathway - Compulsory

• Classical Arabic: Biography, History and Travel - 15 credits

Year 2 - Arabic 1 pathway - Guided options List B

• 30 credits from List B
• H248 Rethinking Middle East History - 15 credits
• Islamic Architecture: Spaces and their Interpretation - 15 credits
• Environmental Humanities - 15 credits
• Literatures of Love, Loss and Desire - 15 credits
• Film Cities - 15 credits
• Arabic Dialects B - 15 credits
• Classical Arabic: Biography, History and Travel - 15 credits

Year 2 - Arabic 3 pathway - Guided options List B

• 30 credits from List B
• H248 Rethinking Middle East History - 15 credits
• Islamic Architecture: Spaces and their Interpretation - 15 credits
• Environmental Humanities - 15 credits
• Literatures of Love, Loss and Desire - 15 credits
• Film Cities - 15 credits

Year 4 - Compulsory

• Capstone Project - 30 credits
• Arabic 5 A (UG) - 15 credits
• Arabic 5 B (UG) - 15 credits
• Arabic 6 A (UG) - 15 credits
• Arabic 6 B (UG) - 15 credits

Year 4 - Guided Options List C

• Minimum of 30 credits from List C
• Quran and Hadith Studies - 15 credits
• Politics and Aesthetics in Modern Arabic Literature - 15 credits
• Cinemas of the Middle East and North Africa - 15 credits
• Modern Palestinian Literature (UG) - 15 credits

Teaching and learning

Contact hours

All full-time undergraduate programmes consist of 120 credits per year. Most modules are 15 credits and students typically take four modules per semester, but Arabic instruction in the first year is intensive: students take the 30-credit Arabic 1 module in Semester 1, and the 30-credit Arabic 2 module in Semester 2. In their final year, students enrol on the Independent Study Project, a 30-credit module that runs over both semesters. Module selection is fixed in Year 1, but there is a degree of choice in Years 2 and 4. The programme structure shows which modules are compulsory and which optional.

In the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, undergraduate modules take various forms. Modules may be taught through 1 or 2 hours of lectures a week, and some may have an additional 1-2 hours of weekly seminars. 15-credit language classes may be 4-5 hours per week in the first and second year, typically less at higher levels.

As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study. It will also include class time, which may include lectures, seminars and other classes. Some subjects, such as learning a language, have more class time than others.

Year Abroad

Students currently spend the Arabic Language Year Abroad at one of the following institutions:

• Qasid Institute in Amman, Jordan
• French Institute in Cairo, Egypt

Year Abroad programmes run from September to May of the following year and involve 15-17 hours of instruction per week. While the syllabus differs somewhat from one institution to another, the prime focus throughout is on enhancing the students’ reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in Modern Standard Arabic as well as on imparting an advanced level of competence in the local form of Colloquial Arabic.

In order to be admitted to the final year of their degree, students will need to have passed the final language examinations at the year abroad institution. Students who fail the language year abroad will not be able to progress to the final year and will repeat the language year abroad.

For general advice on tuition fees, travel arrangements, health and insurance issues see Study abroad and exchange.

The SOAS Arabic Section arranges year abroad meetings and briefing sessions where second year students are informed in detail about the year abroad locations and have the chance to meet and consult with returning students.

In determining the safety of year abroad locations, SOAS is guided by the relevant Travel Advice published by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. During their stay abroad it is recommended that students subscribe to the relevant FCO website.

Fees and funding

Fees for 2025/26 entrants per academic year

Programme| Full-time
---|---
UK students| Overseas students
BA, BSc, LLB| £9,535| £22,870
BA/BSc Language year abroad| £1,385| £11,430

See undergraduate fees for further details.

Employment

Graduates of the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics leave SOAS not only with linguistic and cultural expertise, but also with skills in written and oral communication, analysis and problem solving.

Recent graduates have been hired by:

• Africa Matters
• Amnesty International
• Arab British Chamber of Commerce
• BBC World Service
• British High Commission
• Council for British Research in the Levant
• Department for International Development
• Edelman
• Embassy of Jordan
• Ernst & Young
• Foreign & Commonwealth Office
• Google
• Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies
• Middle East Eye
• Saïd Foundation
• TalkAbout Speech Therapy
• The Black Curriculum
• The Telegraph
• United Nations Development Programme
• UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency
• Wall Street Journal

Find out about our Careers Service.

Program Outline

Students take modules to the value of

120 credits per year

Language modules at an advanced level are also available to students who have the necessary background.

Important notice

The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The modules are indicative options of the content students can expect and are/have been previously taught as part of these programmes.

However, this information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Year 2

Compulsory modules

Or

And

Or

And

Year 2

Guided options

Students can select either or both of the modules below

or

Select 2 language modules (15 credits each)

or

Select 2 modules from list A (15 credits each)

Year 3 - Arabic year abroad

Students participate in the Arabic year abroad in one of our partner Institutions

Year 4

Compulsory modules

Or

Arabic language modules

Students select a further 60 credits either from the 'Arabic options list B' below or a 30 credit Independent Study Project in Arabic Studies  or a Translation Project plus modules to the value of 30 credits from list C guided options

Language options

Year 2 - list A guided options

Year 2 - list B Arabic related modules

Year 4 - list C Arabic related options

Year 4 - list D guided options

Year 4 - list E open options (suggested)

Contact hours

All full-time undergraduate programmes consist of 120 credits per year, taught in modules of 30 credits (taught over 20 weeks) or 15 credits (taught over 10 weeks). The programme structure shows which modules are compulsory and which optional.

As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study. It will also include class time, which may include lectures, seminars and other classes. Some subjects, such as learning a language, have more class time than others.

In the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, undergraduate modules take various forms. Modules may be taught through 1 or 2 hours of lectures a week, and some may have an additional 1-2 hours of weekly seminars. Languages classes may be 4-5 hours per week in the first and second year, typically less at higher levels.

Year Abroad

Students have the choice to spend the Arabic Language Year Abroad at one of the following two institutions:

Year Abroad programmes run from September to May of the following year and involve 16 hours of instruction per week. While the syllabus differs somewhat from one institution to the other, the prime focus throughout is on enhancing the students’ reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in Modern Standard Arabic as well as on imparting an advanced level of competence in the local form of Colloquial Arabic.

Independent Study Project (ISP)

Towards the end of their stay students are expected to write an Arabic Independent Study Project (ISP) in Arabic of some 3,000-3,500 words on a subject of their choice. Supervision and guidance will be supplied by designated staff at the year abroad institution.

In order to be admitted to the final year of their degree, students will need to have passed the final language examinations at the year abroad institution and to have submitted their ISP by the specified deadline. The ISPs will be marked by the year abroad institution and reviewed by members of the SOAS Arabic Section.

Students who fail the year abroad examinations or fail to submit their ISPs are deemed to have failed the year abroad. In order to be admitted to the final year of their degree they will need to repeat the language year abroad programme in one of the four designated locations.

For general advice on tuition fees, travel arrangements, health and insurance issues see

Study abroad and exchange

The SOAS Arabic Section arranges year abroad meetings and briefing sessions where second year students are informed in detail about the year abroad locations and have the chance to meet and consult with returning students.

In determining the safety of year abroad locations SOAS is guided by the relevant Travel Advice published by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. During their stay abroad it is recommended that students subscribe to the relevant

FCO website

Approximate living costs (rent, plus food and travel) will typically be between £350 and £500 per month.

SOAS Library

SOAS Library

Graduates of the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics leave SOAS not only with linguistic and cultural expertise, but also with skills in written and oral communication, analysis and problem solving.

Recent graduates have been hired by:

Find out about our

Careers Service