Our Arabic and Persian programmes provide a unique opportunity to learn the region's languages and develop a better understanding of the region's politics, culture, religion, history, literature and law. You will have the opportunity to study a full range of material from pre-Islamic poetry and Islamic philosophy to modern literature and cinema.
The University of Edinburgh has a long and well-established reputation for teaching about Islam and the history, culture and literature of the Middle East. We host the Centre for the Advanced Study of the Arab World with two other university partners. In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014, our Arabic & Persian research was part of the Area Studies submission. This was ranked first in Scotland and 74 per cent of our publications were rated either world-leading or internationally excellent. We are only university in Scotland to offer courses in the three main languages of the Muslim world - Arabic, Persian and Turkish. |
These courses are intended as guidelines. Speak to your guidance counsellor to see what courses are offered at your school.
The typical offer is likely to be:
• SQA Highers: AABB.
• A Levels: AAB.
• IB: 36 points (grades 655 at HL).
Minimum entry requirements
• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S5 or ABBBB/AABB from S4-S6. National 5: A language other than English at Grade A, English at Grade C and Mathematics or an approved science at Grade C.
• A Levels: ABB. GCSEs: A language other than English at Grade A, English at Grade C and Mathematics or an approved science at Grade C.
• IB: Award of Diploma with 34 points overall and grades 655 in HL subjects. SL: A language other than English at 6, English at 4 and Mathematics or an approved science at 4.
If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme. |
| Additional Admission Requirements: | You must provide evidence that your written and spoken English is at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.
If English is not your first language, you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your spoken and written English:
• IELTS Academic module overall 6.5 with 5.5 in each component
• TOEFL-iBT 92 or above with 20 in each section
• Cambridge English: Advanced & Proficiency overall 176 with 162 in each component
• Pearson Test of English (Academic): Total 61 with at least 51 in each "Communicative Skills" section *Trinity ISE: ISE II with a distinction in all four components
SQA and GCSE
For SQA and GCSE students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:
• SQA National 5 Grade C
• SQA Standard Grade 3
• SQA Intermediate 1 Grade A
• SQA Intermediate 2 Grade C
• GCSE Grade C
• IB Standard Level Grade 4 |
* We make every attempt to provide accurate information on prerequisites, programs, and tuition. However, this information is subject to change without notice and we highly recommend that you contact the school to confirm important information before applying.
