BA Arabic and...
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-10-10 | - |
| 2024-01-16 | - |
| 2024-04-24 | - |
Program Overview
The BA Arabic and... allows you to combine the study of Arabic with an unparalleled range of disciplines and languages. Combined honours degrees in Arabic are intended to give students a solid grounding in Modern Standard and Classical Arabic, as well as conversational ability in Colloquial Arabic, in combination with a second subject. Intensive study of a wide range of Arabic language and literature is a compulsory feature of combined-honours degrees in Arabic.
Students are required to spend the third year of study at a university in the Middle East.
Why study Arabic Combined Honours at SOAS?
Program Outline
Students take modules to the value of
120 credits per year
.There is some element of choice to develop special interests.
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 Arabic language modules
Students take the following compulsory Arabic language modules below and select modules to the value of 60 credits from their second subject.
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Arabic 1 (UG) |
30 |
|
Arabic 2 (UG) |
30 |
Year 2
Compulsory Arabic language modules
Students take the following compulsory Arabic language modules and select modules to value of 30 credits from 'List B' below and select modules to the value of 60 credits from their second subject.
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Arabic 3 A (UG) |
15 |
|
Arabic 3 B (UG) |
15 |
Year 3 - Year abroad
Students participate in the Arabic Year Abroad in one of our partner Institutions.
Year 4
Compulsory Arabic language modules
Students take the following compulsory Arabic language modules and select modules to value of 30 credits from list C'below and modules to the value of 60 credits from their second subject.
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Arabic 5 A (UG) |
15 |
|
Arabic 5 B (UG) |
15 |
Or
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Arabic 6 A (UG) |
15 |
|
Arabic 6 B (UG) |
15 |
List A - Arabic language modules
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Arabic 1 (UG) |
30 |
|
Arabic 2 (UG) |
30 |
|
Arabic 3 A (UG) |
15 |
|
Arabic 3 B (UG) |
15 |
|
Arabic 4 A (UG) |
15 |
|
Arabic 4 B (UG) |
15 |
|
Arabic 5 A (UG) |
15 |
|
Arabic 5 B (UG) |
15 |
|
Arabic 6 A (UG) |
15 |
|
Arabic 6 B (UG) |
15 |
Year 2 - list B Arabic related modules
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Arabic Dialects A |
15 |
|
Arabic Dialects B |
15 |
|
Introduction to Arabic Culture |
15 |
|
Introduction to Arabic Literature A: Modern Trends |
15 |
Year 4 - list C Arabic related modules
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Arabic Womens' Writing |
15 |
|
Culture Society and Politics in Classical Arabic Literature |
15 |
|
Politics and Aesthetics in Modern Arabic Literature |
15 |
|
Quran and Hadith Studies |
15 |
|
Reading Classical Arabic historians |
15 |
|
Independent Study Project in Arabic Studies |
30 |
|
Translation Project |
30 |
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.Contact hours
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 institutions:
Alexandria School of Languages (ACL)
in Alexandria, Egypt (Preparatory Guide for Students Undertaking Residence Abroad at Alexandria Centre for Languages in 2016/2017)Alif Institute
in Fez, MoroccoQasid Institute
in Amman, JordanThe year abroad programme runs from September to May of the following year and involve 18 to 20 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 Independent Study Project in Arabic of some 3000-3500 words on a subject of their choice. Supervision and guidance will be supplied by designated staff at the year abroad institution. To get an impression of the standard students have achieved and the type of topic they can tackle view the prize-winning essays (with English abstract) written by students during the academic year. 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. The best ISP from each location will be published on the SOAS website.
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 (FCO). 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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