The University of Edinburgh
Arabic and Social Anthropology MA (Hons)
The University of Edinburgh

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 75 graduates of Arabic and Social Anthropology MA (Hons) and other courses in Anthropology at The University of Edinburgh for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Anthropology.

Overall student satisfaction
73 /100
75 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in sociology, social policy and anthropology

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Anthropology at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £23500 £21500 £27500
25-75 percentile range £21000 - £28000 £17500 - £25500 £22500 - £37500


Salary of all UK Graduates of sociology, social policy and anthropology

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £25376 £22621 £27317
25-75 percentile range £21301 - £28602 £16558 - £28735 £20374 - £35599

Course Description

Arabic is the main language of more than 350 million people inhabiting a huge swathe of land extending from the Atlantic to the Persian Gulf. It is the sixth most widely spoken language in the world and is one of the six official languages of the United Nations.

Combining Arabic with Social Anthropology enables you to learn the Arabic language while engaging in the comparative study of human behaviour and ideas in a range of contexts:

  • social
  • cultural
  • religious
  • political

Arabic

Our programme is designed to give you a thorough grounding in both classical and modern Arabic. It enables you to access a wide range of original material, from pre-Islamic poetry and Islamic religious texts to contemporary sources, Arabic novels, newspapers, and television.

You do not currently need to know any Arabic, as Year 1 courses are suitable for beginners. By Year 3, you will have the skills to spend the year studying in a country in which Arabic is spoken.

You will learn to:

  • read, write and translate Arabic
  • listen to and speak the language

Our courses open the door to a fascinating and varied region, shining a light on its history, societies and cultures. You will study aspects of the Arabic-speaking world, past and present.

Social Anthropology

At the heart of Social Anthropology is the common humanity that underlies the world's many different societies.

The discipline overlaps with sociology, human geography, and development studies, and is also closely linked to history and philosophy.

On our courses, you will learn what anthropology contributes to some of the most important issues facing us today.

You will also build up the theoretical tools and practical techniques to engage in your own original anthropological research.

Why Edinburgh?

The University of Edinburgh is recognised in the UK and internationally as a leading institution for the research-led study of Arabic, together with Persian, Islam, and the Middle East.

Our programme is flexible. In Year 2, for example, in addition to your core subjects, you will choose an option course from a wide range of disciplines. You will specialise as you progress through the programme and spend a year studying abroad.

You will have the opportunity to learn from researchers who are international leaders in their field. You will also engage in original anthropological research, which may be library-based or involve fieldwork.

When you graduate, you will have the combination of intercultural competence and specialist knowledge valued by employers worldwide.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Arabic and Social Anthropology MA (Hons) at The University of Edinburgh

25% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
10% Business and public service associate professionals
10% Administrative occupations
5% Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation
5% Teaching Professionals
5% Protective service occupations
5% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
5% Artistic, literary and media occupations
5% Finance Professionals
5% Media Professionals

Grading & Study Time

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for Anthropology

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6.5

Total 65 with at least 5.5 in each component.

TOEFL (iBT) 92

Total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.

Cambridge English Advanced

Total 176 with at least 162 in each component

Cambridge English Proficiency

Total 176 with at least 162 in each component

Trinity ISE

ISE II with distinctions in all four components

PTE Academic 62

Total 62 with at least 54 in each component

Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Arabic and Social Anthropology, MA (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Arabic and Social Anthropology MA (Hons)

Channel Islands £9250 year 1
Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £1820 year 1
England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
EU £26500 year 1
International £26500 year 1

Additional fee information

Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees.

EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees.

Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme.

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)

University Rankings

Positions of The University of Edinburgh in top UK and global rankings.

See all 38 university rankings of The University of Edinburgh

About The University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is located in the Scottish city of the same name, and is one of the oldest universities in the entire United Kingdom, having opened in the year 1583. The university enjoys a strong reputation for its contributions to international research efforts, which is reflected in their inclusion in the Russell Group, Universitas 21, and Una Europa. Edinburgh offers its residents a historic yet modern city, with a lively nightlife scene, reliable public transport, and friendly locals.

List of 686 Bachelor and Master Courses from The University of Edinburgh - Course Catalogue

Where is this programme taught

Central area campus
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