Biology with Arabic
Biology combined with Arabic is a degree that reflects the value of combining deep scientific training with genuine linguistic and cultural expertise in one of the world's most important languages. Biology is the study of life in all its forms, from the molecular processes inside cells to the ecological dynamics of entire ecosystems, and it is a field with enormous importance for medicine, agriculture, conservation, and our understanding of the natural world. Arabic is spoken by hundreds of millions of people across the Middle East and North Africa, a region of profound geopolitical importance, and learning it opens dimensions of understanding that no English-language source can replace.
At the University of St Andrews, this four-year full-time programme combines rigorous biological science with serious Arabic language study. You will engage with biology at all levels of organisation, from molecular biology and genetics to the behaviour and ecology of animals and plants, and explore the ways that biological science touches on contemporary questions in medicine, conservation, and environmental management. The Arabic component develops your linguistic proficiency and cultural knowledge of the Arabic-speaking world.
The programme includes a year abroad, which may be used to develop your Arabic in an immersive environment or to pursue biological research. The typical entry tariff of 184 points reflects the demanding dual requirements of the degree.
You will develop both the analytical rigour of a science degree and the linguistic and cultural competence of a serious language programme, a combination that is genuinely rare in British higher education.
Graduates are well positioned for careers in international health organisations, science diplomacy, research with a Middle Eastern focus, conservation, the pharmaceutical sector, and any role that values the intersection of scientific expertise and Arabic language skills. Postgraduate study in biology, medicine, or Arabic and Middle Eastern studies is a well-established continuation.