Arabic and Art History

Arabic and Art History is a combination of considerable intellectual richness, bringing together the study of one of the world's most important languages with the close examination of visual culture across time and place. Arabic is central to understanding the Middle East, North Africa and the broader Islamic world, and gives access to a heritage of philosophy, science, literature and architecture that has shaped civilisations for centuries. Art history, meanwhile, develops your ability to read visual objects critically, situating works within their historical, cultural and ideological contexts.

Studied together, the two subjects offer a particularly powerful lens on Islamic art and architecture, as well as on the long interactions between visual traditions across different cultures.

At the University of St Andrews this four-year full-time joint Honours degree combines rigorous training in Arabic language with the methods and content of art history. Your Arabic study will develop both modern and classical competence, building your ability to engage with texts as well as spoken language. Your art history work will range across different periods and traditions, developing your skills in visual analysis, historical research and critical interpretation.

The degree includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to study in an international context and develop your linguistic and cultural knowledge beyond the classroom.

Graduates from this combination are well positioned for careers where knowledge of the Arabic-speaking world and visual culture intersect. Many go on to work in museums and galleries, cultural heritage organisations, arts management, diplomacy, international development and education. Others find roles in journalism, publishing and the cultural sector more broadly.

The degree also provides strong preparation for postgraduate study in Islamic art history, Arabic and Middle Eastern studies, museum studies, cultural heritage or related fields.