Arabic and Philosophy

Arabic and philosophy at St Andrews is a combination that brings together the most commonly used language of the Middle East with one of the oldest and most rigorous intellectual disciplines in the Western tradition. Arabic is by far the most widely used language of the Middle East and North Africa, spoken by hundreds of millions of people and carrying a literary and intellectual tradition of extraordinary depth, spanning classical poetry, philosophy, theology, legal thought, and contemporary literature. Philosophy develops the ability to reason precisely, construct and evaluate arguments, and engage with the deepest questions about knowledge, reality, ethics, and the nature of mind, a discipline that has deep historical roots in the Arabic-speaking world itself through the Islamic philosophical tradition.

At the University of St Andrews, this four-year full-time programme is taught by specialists in both Arabic and philosophy, developing genuine linguistic proficiency in Arabic alongside serious philosophical education across the Scottish MA (Hons) structure. The combination creates exceptional opportunities for engaging comparatively with the philosophical traditions of both Western and Islamic thought, an area of genuine intellectual richness that few degree combinations explore so directly. A year abroad is part of the programme, giving you the opportunity to develop your Arabic through immersion in an Arabic-speaking country.

With a typical entry tariff of 168 UCAS points, this is a competitive programme at one of the UK's most prestigious universities. Graduates pursue careers in diplomacy, international organisations, journalism, translation, the civil service, academic research, NGOs, and international business, with a combination of linguistic competence and philosophical rigour that is particularly distinctive. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in Arabic, Islamic studies, philosophy, or international relations.