MA Arabic and Hebrew
About this course
Arabic and Hebrew is one of the most intellectually and historically resonant language combinations available in British higher education. Both are Semitic languages with ancient written traditions, and together they provide access to the two most significant bodies of religious and literary text in the history of the Middle East and the Mediterranean world. Arabic is the language of the Quran, of classical Islamic scholarship, of medieval science and philosophy, and of a contemporary world spanning more than twenty countries. Hebrew is the language of the Torah, of one of the world's oldest literary traditions, and today of a modern state whose influence on global politics, technology, and culture far exceeds its geographic size. At the University of St Andrews, this four-year full-time degree develops genuine competence in both languages, engaging with their classical and modern forms and with the rich cultural, literary, and intellectual traditions they carry. The combination allows for comparative analysis across two languages, literatures, cultures, histories, and ways of engaging with questions of law, ethics, faith, and society that have shaped civilisations for millennia. A year abroad is integral to the degree, providing the opportunity to deepen your language skills and cultural understanding through immersive experience. The typical entry tariff is 184 UCAS points. Graduates of Arabic and Hebrew degree programmes are exceptionally well placed for careers in diplomacy and international affairs, academic research, translation, journalism with a Middle East focus, work with international organisations, and roles in cultural and heritage institutions engaged with the ancient and medieval worlds. The rarity of this combination and the depth of expertise it develops give graduates a genuinely distinctive profile in the job market. Many graduates also pursue postgraduate study in Arabic and Islamic studies, Hebrew and Jewish studies, Semitic linguistics, or Middle Eastern history.
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