Arabic is the main language of more than 250 million people inhabiting a huge swathe of land extending from the Atlantic to the Persian Gulf. It is the fifth most widely spoken language in the world and is one of the six official languages of the United Nations. Persian is the main language of more than 120 million people and is among the world’s most widely spoken languages. Apart from opening the door to a fascinating and varied region, knowledge of Arabic, Persian and the Middle East provides access to the rich intellectual heritage of Islam. The School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures at the University of Edinburgh is recognised in the UK and internationally as a leading institution for research and study of Arabic, Islam, the Middle East, and other related subjects. This programme is designed to give you a thorough grounding in both classical and modern Arabic and Persian, enabling you to communicate in both languages and access a wide range of original materials. Alongside knowledge of the written and spoken languages, you will also acquire a good knowledge of the literature, culture, history, religion and politics of relevant regions of the world. A year spent studying Arabic and Persian abroad provides complete immersion in both languages and cultures.