Venues

Central Campus

Content

This programme will develop your knowledge and understanding of Islam as a religion, as well as the history, thought and culture of Muslims worldwide.

Opening the door to Islam's rich intellectual heritage, our courses will give you a thorough grounding in a variety of areas, such as - Islamic literature and poetry, the Qur'an, Sufism and Islam and Muslim societies in the contemporary world.

Year 1:
You will study elementary Arabic to learn basic grammar and develop your vocabulary. You will learn to read and write using Arabic script, and to speak confidently in Arabic about a range of topics.

You will take courses in Islamic History and Modern Middle Eastern History.

Year 2:
You continue with your language studies, taking either Arabic 2, Persian 2 or Turkish 2. You will also take Introduction to Islam plus one optional course of your choice.

Year 3:
This is the first of your honours years. You will choose specialist option courses from a wide selection of subject areas at the University of Edinburgh relating to Islamic and Middle Eastern studies. These include history, politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations, religion and
history of art and cultural studies.

Alternatively, you may have the option to study abroad, for either a full year or one semester, at a partner university or other approved institution.

Year 4:
You will continue with your honours courses and also complete a dissertation.

Entry Requirements

2026 entry requirements

Standard entry:
4 Highers at ABBB (first sitting) or 4 or 5 Highers at AABB/ABBBB (two sittings) plus English at National 5.

Widening access entry:
4 Highers at ABBB (two sittings) plus English at National 5. Highers at BBB must be achieved in one sitting S4-S6.