BA Arabic

Program Overview

The BA Arabic provides an intensive study of Modern Standard Arabic in its first year.

Students are free to choose a second module on Arabic culture, Middle Eastern literature or Islam as the year's minor component. The second year continues the study of Modern Standard Arabic and introduces the student to classical Arabic and modern Arabic literature. An appropriate fourth module is chosen from the list of approved optional modules.

The third year is spent at an Arab university or Language Institute in the Middle East, where students study the colloquial language as well as Modern Standard Arabic, and write an extended essay in Arabic.

In the final year, study of language and literature is continued at the advanced level. In addition, the freedom to select two other appropriate modules from the list of options gives students the opportunity of specialising in a field of particular interest.

Why study Arabic at SOAS?

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.

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