Arabic and Russian

Arabic and Russian is an ambitious and genuinely rare combination that opens access to two of the world's most geopolitically significant language traditions. Arabic is the most widely spoken language of the Middle East and North Africa, the classical tongue of one of history's most intellectually productive civilisations, and a language that is central to understanding some of today's most important international dynamics. Russian is the most widely spoken Slavic language, the tongue of one of the world's major powers, and a window into a literary tradition of extraordinary richness and depth.

Together, they provide linguistic access to regions that are persistently at the centre of global affairs.

At the University of St Andrews, this four-year full-time degree allows you to develop serious competence in both languages alongside the cultural, literary, historical, and political understanding that each tradition demands. You will study Arabic and Russian systematically, building practical skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, while also engaging with the literatures, histories, and contemporary issues of the Arabic-speaking world and Russia and the former Soviet space. In your third year you will spend a year abroad, ideally divided between countries where your languages are spoken, which gives you immersive linguistic experience and first-hand cultural knowledge.

With a typical entry tariff of 184 UCAS points, this is a demanding programme that rewards genuine commitment to both languages.

Graduates with Arabic and Russian are among the most sought-after linguists in the job market. The diplomatic service, foreign office, intelligence and security services, international journalism, NGOs, international organisations, academic research, and translation and interpreting are all natural destinations. The combination of these two specific languages is of particular value in contexts that involve the intersection of Middle Eastern and Russian or post-Soviet interests, which are among the most significant in contemporary geopolitics.

Postgraduate study in area studies, linguistics, international relations, or translation is available for those who wish to go further.