BA Arabic and Politics
| UCAS code | T606 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years |
| Entry year | 2026 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Typical offer | A-Level: ABB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBC |
Why study BA Arabic and Politics at Exeter?
- You will gain a high level of proficiency in Arabic and a nuanced understanding of Middle East politics, democracy and international relations
- No language study or previous knowledge of Arabic is required. The programme includes a period of study in an Arabic-speaking country
- Our flexible programme, with a wide range of optional modules, means you can tailor your degree to your interests and career ambitions
- Get involved with the Politics and Arabic & Middle East Student societies and participate in a range of co-curricula activities and socials
- Learning Arabic and studying politics at Exeter opens up career paths across the public and private sector in the UK and in the Middle East and North Africa
Top 100 in the world for Politics
QS World University Subject Rankings 2025
4th in the UK for African & Middle Eastern Studies
The Complete University Guide 2026
Top 3 for student satisfaction in six out of seven themes
National Student Survey 2025
Top 100 in the world for Political Sciences
Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) or Shanghai Rankings 2025
Entry requirements (typical offer)
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| A-Level | ABB | n/a |
| IB | 32/655 | n/a |
| BTEC | DDM | n/a |
| GCSE | C or 4 | English Language |
| Access to HE | 24 L3 Credits at Distinction Grade and 21 L3 credits at Merit Grade. | N/A |
| T-Level | Distinction | N/A |
| Contextual Offer | A-Level: BBC |
Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers. |
| Other accepted qualifications | ||
| English language requirements |
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B1. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country. |
|
NB General Studies is not included in any offer.
Grades advertised on each programme webpage are the typical level at which our offers are made and provide information on any specific subjects an applicant will need to have studied in order to be considered for a place on the programme. However, if we receive a large number of applications for the programme we may not be able to make an offer to all those who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades which are in line with our typical offer. For more information on how applications are assessed and when decisions are released, please see: After you apply
Course content
The BA Arabic and Politics degree programme is made up of compulsory (core) and optional modules, which are worth 15 or 30 credits each. Full-time undergraduate students need to complete modules worth a total of 120 credits each year.
You may also be able to take up to 30 credits each year from outside the department (under modularity) as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.
You may notice changes to some of our modules over the coming months. This is because we are making space for the following:
- Minors: Future Skills Pathways - Alongside your main degree you may be eligible (depending on your course) to choose modules from another subject to broaden your skills and interests.
- Skills to Thrive built into every degree - Essential skills for your future, including communication, problem-solving, teamwork and digital confidence.
- Increased innovation and wellbeing - More room for creative learning, real-world projects and a healthier study rhythm.
The modules below provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
Students must take 90 credits of compulsory modules, and 30 credits of optional modules.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Politics and Economy of the Contemporary Middle East | 15 | |
| Elementary Arabic Language I | 30 | |
| Elementary Arabic Language II | 30 | |
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | 15 | |
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Optional 1 | ||
| Elementary Persian | 15 | |
| Introduction to Islam | 15 | |
| Elementary Persian 2 | 15 | |
| Introduction to Persian History and Culture | 15 | |
| Introduction to Islamic Archaeology | 15 | |
| Elementary Turkish I | 15 | |
| Elementary Turkish II | 15 | |
| Histories of the Middle East, 600-1800 C.E. | 15 | |
| Religious Communities of the Middle East: Culture, Endangerment and Survival | 15 | |
| Critical Skills for Politics and International Relations | 15 | |
| Globalisation of World Politics | 15 | |
| The Challenges of World Politics in the Twenty-First Century | 15 | |
| Power and Democracy | 15 | |
| Classical Political Thought | 15 | |
| Early Modern Political Thought | 15 | |
| International Politics of the Global South | 15 | |
| Global Sustainability Policy and Governance | 15 | |
| The Politics of Development | 15 | |
| Introduction to Social Data | 15 | |
| Data Analysis in Social Science 1 | 15 | |
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
Stage 2 is spent abroad in an accredited institution (which has a formal study abroad agreement with the University of Exeter).
You must take 120 credits of compulsory placement module.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Year Abroad | 120 | |
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
Students must take 60 credits of core modules, and 60 credits of option modules.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Intermediate Arabic Language II | 30 | |
| The Economics of Politics | 15 | |
| Political Thought of Modernity | 15 | |
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Optional 1 | ||
| Regions and Empires in Islamic Archaeology | 15 | |
| Magic and the Abrahamic Religions | 15 | |
| Islamist Movements: From the Muslim Brothers to the Islamic State | 15 | |
| Gender-Identity and Modernity in the Middle East | 15 | |
| Islamic Law and Society | 15 | |
| Ethnography of the Middle East | 15 | |
| Conflict and Peacemaking Palestine/Israel | 15 | |
| Intermediate Persian | 15 | |
| Classical Islamic History | 15 | |
| Muslims in Britain | 15 | |
| Intermediate Persian II | 15 | |
| Political Economy of Development in the Middle East | 15 | |
| Intermediate Turkish I | 15 | |
| Intermediate Turkish II | 15 | |
| A History of the Modern Middle East, 1900-2014 | 15 | |
| Contemporary Theories of World Politics | 15 | |
| The Politics of the World Economy | 15 | |
| American Politics | 15 | |
| Political Philosophy | 15 | |
| Security Studies | 15 | |
| Explaining Public Policies | 15 | |
| Introduction to Research Design in Politics and International Relations | 15 | |
| Comparative Electoral Systems | 15 | |
| Environmental Governance | 15 | |
| Foreign Policy Analysis | 15 | |
| Research Design in the Social Sciences | 15 | |
| Data Analysis in Social Science 2 | 15 | |
| Data Analysis in Social Science 3 | 15 | |
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
Students must take 60 credits of core modules, and 60 credits of option modules.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Advanced Arabic Language | 30 | |
| Dissertation | 30 | |
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Optional 1 | ||
| From Home Lands to Host States: Migration, Displacement and Diaspora in the Middle East | 15 | |
| Drugs: Histories, Science, Policy | 15 | |
| Nationalisms in the Middle East | 15 | |
| The History and Political Development of Iraq | 15 | |
| The Kurds: History and Politics | 15 | |
| Iranian History, 1500-the Present | 15 | |
| Armed Islamist Movements: Jihadism and Beyond | 15 | |
| Britain in the Middle East, 1798-1977 | 15 | |
| Politics and Reform in the Gulf | 15 | |
| The Arabian Nights: Perception and Reception | 15 | |
| Gender, Sexuality and Violence in Palestine/Israel | 15 | |
| Queer Theory in a Global Context | 15 | |
| The Politics of Authoritarian Rule | 15 | |
| Violence and Revolution in the Modern Middle East | 15 | |
| Surveys and Experiments: Design Implementation and Analysis | 15 | |
| Contemporary African Politics | 30 | |
| Chinese Political Economy and Foreign Policy | 30 | |
| Comparative Political Economy: Theory, Evidence, and Policy | 30 | |
| Radical Political Thinking: Power, Life, Progress | 15 | |
| Political Thought of the 20th Century: From Liberalism to Postcolonialism | 15 | |
| Political Psychology and the World | 30 | |
| Political Violence, Intervention, and the Aftermath | 30 | |
| Race, Politics, and Policy | 15 | |
| Public Opinion and Global Crises | 30 | |
| Russian and Eurasian Politics and Security | 30 | |
| Latin American Parties, Politics, and Elections | 15 | |
| Data Visualisation | 15 | |
| Data Analysis in Social Science 3 | 15 | |
Fees
Tuition fees for 2026 entry
UK students: £9,790 per year
International students: £24,950 per year
Scholarships
The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships*. We also provide scholarships for sport, music and other achievements, alongside regional and partner awards such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. Financial support is available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.
* Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply. See our website for details.
Learning and teaching
How will I learn?
We use a wide range of teaching methods as well as encouraging independent study
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Study groups
- Textual study
- Web-based learning
- Tutorial and discussion
- Interactive classes for language modules
You will also have access to personal and subject tutors who will give you the individual help and guidance you need to succeed.
How will I be assessed?
- Exams
- Essays
- Dissertation in final year of study
You must pass your first year modules in order to proceed but your performance at this level does not count towards your final degree classification.
Where will I study?
The Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies has its own dedicated building that includes a state-of-the-art language laboratory and computing facilities for undergraduate students.
ExeTalks
ExeTalks are a chance to discover some of the fascinating research undertaken at the University of Exeter delivered by the academics who teach on our programmes.
Optional modules outside of this course
Each year, if you have optional modules available, you can take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of your course. This can increase your employability and widen your intellectual horizons.
Minors: Future Skills Pathways
You can study a Future Skills Pathway alongside your main degree by choosing up to 30 credits of modules from a different subject area in your second and final years.
Your future
Develop skills valued by employers
A degree in Arabic and Politics will give you an appreciation and understanding of the culture, history and language of the Middle East which will be valued by employers in both the public and private sectors. Alongside this you will gain a range of academic and professional skills including:
- Analytical, critical and independent thinking
- Independent research
- Discussion and group work
- Written and verbal communication
- Organising, planning and time management
Exeter Award and Exeter Leaders Award
Many of our students participate in The Exeter Award and The Exeter Leaders Award. These schemes encourage you to participate in employability related workshops, skills events, volunteering and employment which will contribute to your career decision-making skills and success in the employment market.
Career paths
Below are a few examples* of initial jobs undertaken by graduates of University of Exeter Arab and Islamic Studies undergraduate programmes. Please note that, due to data protection, the job titles and organisations are listed independently and do not necessarily correspond.
(* This information has been taken from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) Survey)
Job title
- Acting Head of Middle East and Africa Team
- Associate Professor
- English Teacher
- Graduate Management Trainee
- Intern: Parliamentary Assistant for an MP
- Officer Cadet
- Research Associate
- Royal Marine Officer
- Teacher
- Writer
Organisation
- Anglo-Continental School of English
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital
- Cognolink Limited
- Exeter College
- International School of Choueifat
- MP Labour ‘Labour Friends of Palestin’
- HM Government
- Royal United Services Institute
- The University of King Abdulaziz
Further Study
Further study is a popular choice for a number of students following graduation. Below are a few examples* of further study undertaken by recent graduates of undergraduate programmes. Please note that, due to data protection, the subjects of study and institutions are listed independently and do not necessarily correspond.
Subject area
- MA Kurdish Studies
- MA Near and Middle Eastern Studies
- MA Modern Middle Eastern Politics,
- MA International Studies with Diplomacy
- MPhil Middle Eastern Studies
- Arabic and Islamic Studies
- MA Translation
- PhD Arabic Literature
- PhD Semitic Studies
- PhD Islamic Studies
Institution
- University of Oxford
- University of Exeter
- SOAS University of London
- University of Durham
- University of Leeds
- University of Edinburgh
- Harvard University
- University of Chicago
- Cairo University
Developing your skills and career prospects
We provide a range of support to help you develop skills attractive to employers. You will be able to access a range of specific activities such as careers skills sessions and employer-led events, or seek bespoke advice and support from Employability Officers.
The Career Zone also organises a busy schedule of activities including careers fairs, skills workshops, and training events, and can advise on graduate opportunities and volunteering.
