Modern Languages (Arabic and Spanish) and International Relations
Modern Languages (Arabic and Spanish) and International Relations is a degree of exceptional reach, combining serious engagement with two of the world's most widely spoken and geopolitically significant languages with the analytical frameworks needed to understand the forces shaping relations between states, peoples, and international institutions. Arabic is the language of the Middle East and North Africa, a region of profound historical depth and continuing global significance. Spanish is one of the world's most widely spoken languages, associated with a vast cultural and commercial network spanning Spain and the Americas.
International relations provides the conceptual tools to analyse conflict, cooperation, development, and diplomacy in an interconnected world.
At the University of St Andrews, this four-year, full-time degree allows you to develop competence in both Arabic and Spanish alongside rigorous training in international relations theory and practice. Studying Arabic within this combination provides an opportunity for comparative analyses between two very different linguistic and cultural traditions, enriching your understanding of both. The degree includes a year abroad that is central to the linguistic development the programme aims to achieve, giving you sustained immersion in the languages and cultures you are studying.
Graduates of this combination are exceptionally well placed for careers in diplomacy, the foreign service, international development, journalism, the intelligence services, international law, international business, and the many organisations that work across the Middle East, Latin America, and the broader Spanish-speaking and Arab worlds. The rarity of this particular language combination, with its deep geopolitical relevance, is a genuine professional asset. Postgraduate study in international relations, Arabic studies, Hispanic studies, or development studies is a natural next step for those who wish to specialise further.