Curious about studying Arabic, Islamic, Middle Eastern and North African Studies - 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
4 Year
On this course, you’ll learn Arabic, one of the world’s major languages, while also building your understanding of the cultural, historical, political and religious contexts that have shaped the Middle East, North Africa and the wider Muslim world. You’ll gain a firm grounding in spoken and written Arabic which is then strengthened further by spending a year in an Arabic-speaking country, where you will develop your skills in colloquial Arabic. During your year abroad, you’ll study a tailor-made curriculum designed exclusively for our students. In addition to Arabic, you’ll also have the option to expand your wider language skills by learning Persian.Studying Arabic, Islamic, Middle Eastern and North African Studies gives you a deep and wide-ranging understanding of the cultures, history, politics and societies of these regions. You’ll develop your study of Islam, one of the most influential and widely practised religions in the world, and a subject of strategic importance both in the global context and in modern Britain. You’ll also learn about contemporary relevant issues of the Middle East and North Africa, and explore themes such as cultural identity, sexuality, gender and race. In addition to compulsory modules on key issues and themes, you’ll also choose from a range of optional modules such as Arab culture, politics, performance, Qur’anic Studies and Islamic law.Alongside gaining linguistic, cultural and historical knowledge, you’ll also develop transferable skills to become a resilient and adaptable graduate. You'll enhance your ability to be self-reflective and critical, and to become a considered, informed thinker.Additional highlightsYou’ll learn from tutors who are recognised nationally and internationally as leaders in Arabic language studies. AIMES (Arabic, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies) at Leeds is also renowned for leading the design and development of Arabic language textbooks.Learn from leading experts in critical areas such as Islamic history, international relations, Islamic law and legal theory, Muslim reformist thought, Islamophobia, Muslim intellectual history, women’s contributions to Islamic history, sectarian difference, historical topics including the Crusades, Islam in China, Cultural anthropology and Arab and Muslim Cinema. From the early history of the Arabs, North Africans and Islam to the complex international relations of today, you’ll build your knowledge through pioneering approaches such as Islamic history and religion through the female lens, postcolonialism, decoloniality and Critical Muslim Studies, which has been pioneered at the University of Leeds.You’ll have access to a wide range of co-curricular activities, that will broaden and deepen your knowledge beyond the course’s teachings, such as Qur’anic Arabic and the ‘Amimiyyah seminars (readings of classical Islamic madrasah texts), offered by the School's Iqbal Centre for Critical Muslim Studies.Specialist facilitiesThe School archive holds Arabic manuscripts and as many as 10,000 archaeological artefacts ranging from Pharaonic to early Palestinian eras. It’s a fantastic research resource – as is the University Library, which has extensive collections relating to Middle Eastern, North African and Islamic studies, along with free classes and workshops to learn how to use them.With a variety of specialist facilities and four libraries on campus, you’ll find plenty of space for study, group work and research.The 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.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.
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.
This module provides an understanding of the historical and theological developments that underpin Muslims beliefs in the modern age. With close reference to the Qur'an, the Prophetic Tradition (Sunna) and the most important definitions of Muslim creed. The module covers the thought of, and major studies on, theologians, philosophers and mystics who have shaped theological discourse and how these debates inform modern sectarian tendencies, especially the Sunni-Shi'a, Ash'ari-Hanbali and Sufi-Salafi divides.
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 Program lasts for one academic year from the second week of September to the end of May. This an intensive academic program of 20 hours a week taught by professional teachers of Arabic as a foreign language. Teaching is conducted in Arabic only, but English is occasionally used to explain a problem. Teaching includes: Arabic grammar, speaking, listening and writing.
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.
This module provides students with in-depth knowledge necessary for the understanding of the cultures of the Middle East and North Africa; an introduction to critical approaches to countering fixed ideas that this region is merely a place of antagonisms.
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.
The module will introduce students to the idea of Shari?a as fundamentally a religious legal discourse, focusing on origins, historical development and permutations across differing socio-political and geographical contexts. An exploration of the relationship between the Shari?a as discourse and praxis and political power is an important aspect of this module, where students will learn about the power relations which have historically fashioned, co-opted and/or curtailed the development of the Shari?a. Several case studies, including criminal law, commercial law, alcohol and sexuality, serve as pedagogical tools to elucidate the processes underpinning Shari?a formation. Finally, the contemporary dislocation of the Shari?a and the revivalist/reformist attempts at reinstitutionalisation are examined.
This module will introduce you to different genres of advanced Arabic texts. Also, it will help you to enhance your oral and aural skills. It 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 will introduce you to different genres of advanced Arabic texts and help you to enhance your oral and aural skills. It will train you in how to interpret and analyse critically different genre of Arabic texts with the focus mainly on the function of language in texts.
This module seeks to equip you with the ability to critically explore, discuss and write on issues in Middle East politics at domestic, regional and international level.
ABB Grades/points required
Not currently available, please Contact University for up to date information.
Accommodation (Self-catered En suite) - Starts £175 Per week
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