Arabic and International Communication

Arabic is the native language of over 300 million people and the liturgical language of Islam, spoken across a vast geographic arc from Morocco to the Gulf and used as a language of commerce, diplomacy, and culture across the Middle East and North Africa. Combining Arabic study with international communication gives you both the linguistic access to a major world region and the professional communication skills to engage with it effectively in a globalised working environment.

At Westminster this three-year full-time degree develops your knowledge of the Arabic language and culture progressively, building competence in both Modern Standard Arabic and an understanding of regional spoken varieties. You will engage with the history, literature, politics, and social life of the Arab world, developing the cultural awareness that language learning at this level demands. International communication provides a professional and analytical framework for understanding how organisations, media, and individuals communicate across borders, cultures, and contexts, and the combination prepares you for roles where Arabic and communication expertise work together.

The programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad, and work placement opportunities, all of which strengthen your professional capabilities and give you direct experience of Arabic-speaking environments and international professional contexts.

The year abroad in particular is invaluable for Arabic study: the language is complex and its written and spoken forms differ significantly, and extended immersion is one of the most effective ways of developing genuine fluency and cultural confidence.

Graduates from Arabic and International Communication go into careers in international organisations, diplomacy and the foreign service, journalism and media, NGOs, international development, business, and the public sector. The combination of Arabic proficiency and communication skills is sought after in an era of increasing attention to the Middle East and North Africa. Postgraduate study in Arabic, international relations, journalism, or translation is also a well-established path.