Curious about studying Arabic and Japanese - BA (Hons)at University of Leeds? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Main Site
Full Time
Sep 2026
5 Year
In this fascinating and varied five-year degree, you’ll learn two major world languages and deepen your understanding of the modern world by exploring the histories and cultures of the nations that speak them. You’ll spend one year in Japan and another in an Arabic-speaking country, improving your language skills and gaining first-hand experience of these cultures and societies to enrich your understanding of these amazing countries.We teach Arabic and Japanese from beginners’ level, but if you already have some knowledge of either language we can normally accommodate you.You’ll become proficient in Arabic while building your understanding of the cultural, religious and historical contexts that have shaped the Middle East and North Africa. You will also learn about contemporary relevant issues of these regions, and explore themes such as cultural identity, sexuality, gender and race.Playing a significant role in the global economy and international politics, Japan is also home to a rich culture and history, and a varied, changing society. Boasting cultural ‘cool’ and high-tech innovation, Japan also faces complex social changes in the 21st century. This course will allow you to develop your Japanese language skills while exploring the diversity of Japanese society, politics, history and culture to understand its regional and global importance. One of the strengths of East Asian Studies at Leeds is that we have expertise which spans the many diverse aspects of this fascinating region.The School of Languages, Cultures and Societies at Leeds is an exciting place for your undergraduate experience. Our diverse international community of students and staff, student-led societies and outstanding pastoral support creates a friendly and dynamic atmosphere for all our students.To find out what it is like to study with us, visit the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies website.Specialist facilitiesWith a variety of specialist facilities and four libraries on campus, you’ll find plenty of space for study, group work, and research. The School archive at Leeds holds Arabic manuscripts and as many as 10,000 archaeological artefacts ranging from Pharaonic to early Palestinian eras. It’s a fantastic research resource. The world-class Brotherton Library is home to a wide variety of manuscripts, archive and early printed material in its Special Collections – valuable assets for your independent research. These include rare copies of magazines and unpublished letters, with materials across the range of languages that we teach. It includes extensive collections relating to Middle Eastern, North African and Islamic studies. Our Japanese Studies collection has been curated since the 1990s, alongside our Chinese holdings (since the 1960s) and a growing Thai collection. Our main library resources are also excellent, and the University Library offers a comprehensive training programme to help you make the most of them. The Language Centre includes digital language labs, audio/video practice booths and Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL). The Language Zone offers excellent learning material in more than 50 languages, including online resources and advice. The Language Exchange and the Language Groups programme provide opportunities to practise with other learners and native speakers; you can also volunteer to help other learners and enhance your CV at the same time.
The module will consist of 9 student contact hours per week. These will comprise: Introduction to new grammatical points, Practical exercises based on new grammatical points, Listening comprehension, Reading and translation. At the outset of the module, students will be taught the two Japanese syllabifies (hiragana and katakana) and will subsequently be introduced to approximately 200 kanji characters.
To introduce students to further basic Japanese language skills.
This module offers students an opportunity to progress from the level of a total beginner to (A1 according to the CEFR scale or half a GCSE) in the four skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) in Modern Standard Arabic. On completion of this module you will be able to understand simple instructions, respond appropriately in everyday situations, express yourself using limited vocabulary and formulaic expressions and use the target language in a limited number of contexts so that it can be understood by a sympathetic native speaker. You will also develop an understanding of the structure of the language and the culture of the countries where the target language is spoken. You will be taught by enthusiastic and competent teachers who have well-established reputation in teaching Arabic as a foreign language.
This module is a continuation of ARAB 1001. It will help you to progress from A1 to A2 according to the CEFR scale (GCSE) in the four skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) in Modern Standard Arabic. On the completion of this module you will be able to understand simple instructions in Arabic, respond appropriately in everyday situations, collect information from short texts in the target language, and express yourself in limited vocabulary. You will also develop awareness on the Arabic culture and the Arab world. The module will also enable you to compare the Arabic structure and grammatical elements to other languages.
The Middle East as an area of interest is the focus of much media attention. This module surveys and attempts to study the Middle East not only as a geopolitical entity, but also as a multi-cultural, multi-religious, multi-linguistic and multi-ethnic region.
The year abroad will take the form of one year's full-time language study in a University or Language Institute in Japan. During this part of their degree programme, students will have the opportunity to: make substantial linguistic progress, over a wide range of registers, in respect of the target language; face the linguistic, intellectual and psychological challenges of living in another country; acquire a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the target culture; develop the social/personal/transferable skills necessary for gaining maximum benefit from living in a different community; seek to enhance their future employability by familiarizing themselves, when appropriate, with the world of work within the target culture, or by reflecting on the utility of skills that they are acquiring while living abroad for their future employment.
During this part of their degree programme, students will have the opportunity to: make substantial linguistic progress, over a wide range of registers, in respect of the target language; face the linguistic, intellectual and psychological challenges of living in another country; acquire a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the target culture; develop the social/personal/transferable skills necessary for gaining maximum benefit from living in a different community; seek to enhance their future employability by familiarizing themselves, when appropriate, with the world of work within the target culture, or by reflecting on the utility of skills that they are acquiring while living abroad for their future employment.
Do you have A-level or equivalent in Arabic? If that is the case, why don't you widen your Arabic grammar and translation skills by enrolling in ARAB2010? The module will train you in how to translate contemporary texts from and into Arabic. It will also acquaint you with the grammatical skills that will enable you to write in a fluent and effective style, and to comprehend Arabic texts. On completion of this module you will be familiar with the grammar rules as well as the function of Arabic grammar in texts. You will also acquire the skills to translate different genres of texts from and into Arabic.
If you have A-level or equivalent in Arabic and wish to enhance further your language skills, then ARAB2020 is the right module for you. This module will equip you with the skills to comprehend and analyse texts critically. It will also help you sharpen your writing skills through weekly writing practice. Also, the module will give you an opportunity to strengthen your oral and aural skills. By the end of this module your four language skills will have improved immensely.
This module aims to further develop written communication skills in Japanese based upon the knowledge and skills acquired in Level 1 and Year Abroad. By the end of this module, students are expected to be able to: Comprehend wide range of texts on familiar/social issues within a reasonable time frame without depending too much on a dictionary; Demonstrate various writing skills on familiar/social topics in accordance with the purposes and contexts such as letters, reports and essays; Express their own opinions clearly with accurate and appropriate use of intermediate grammar and vocabulary; Acquire basic English-Japanese translation skills.
This module aims to further develop spoken communication skills in Japanese based upon the knowledge and skills acquired in Level 1 and Year Abroad. By the end of this module, students are expected to be able to: Communicate naturally and appropriately in familiar contexts encountered in daily life; Give a short speech based upon their experiences and opinions in an effective manner; Discuss familiar/social issues and express their own opinions clearly using a wide range of vocabulary and expressions; Comprehend most daily conversations spoken at natural speed both in formal and informal settings.
Are you interested in developing your writing and analytical skills in Arabic?If you have such interest, then ARAB3020 will help you to achieve that. The module will introduce you to different genres of advanced Arabic texts. Also, it will help you to enhance your oral and aural skills. This module will train you in how to interpret and analyse critically different genre of Arabic texts. The focus is mainly on the function of language in texts.
This module aims to develop both written and spoken communication skills at the highest level to deal with a wide range of social and academic issues. Grammatical and lexical knowledge will be reinforced through both intensive and extensive reading. Writing skills will be enhanced through compositions and essay-writing exercises. Oral-aural skills will be also consolidated by speech presentations, discussions and listening practice.
AAB Grades/points required
Not currently available, please Contact University for up to date information.
Accommodation (Self-catered En suite) - Starts £175 Per week
4.3
