Modern Languages (Arabic and French) and Latin

Modern Languages combining Arabic and French with Latin is a degree of exceptional linguistic and cultural breadth, bringing together three language traditions from across the Mediterranean world and the broader sweep of Western civilisation. Arabic, the primary language of the Middle East and North Africa, offers access to one of the world's richest intellectual, literary and religious traditions and to a geopolitical region of continuing global significance. French is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, used across five continents, at the centre of major international institutions and a gateway to one of Europe's most significant literary and philosophical traditions.

Latin, the language of ancient Rome, is the foundation of the Romance languages and the medium of centuries of European scholarship, law, theology and literature.

At the University of St Andrews, this four-year full-time programme includes a year abroad and is taught within a research-active environment with the highest academic standards. You will develop genuine proficiency in Arabic and French alongside rigorous classical Latin, building the comparative analytical perspective that comes from engaging seriously with three very different linguistic and cultural traditions. The year abroad provides essential immersive experience in at least one of the language environments you are studying.

Graduates from programmes combining Arabic, French and Latin go on to careers in the diplomatic service, translation and interpreting, international organisations, journalism, academia, publishing, cultural diplomacy, the intelligence services and international development. The combination of Arabic language competence with French and classical Latin is genuinely rare in the employment market and provides an excellent foundation for postgraduate study in Arabic studies, French, classics, comparative literature or area studies.