Arabic and Ancient Greek

Classical Greek heritage has been enormously important for Islamic thought. Via Arabic, it has also been of considerable importance to Western thought since the 12th century CE. The long-standing links between Arabic, ancient Greek, and associated civilisations make this an excellent joint honours combination.

Today, 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. There are sizeable communities of Arabic speakers in Western Europe and Latin America.

You do not need any prior knowledge of Arabic, or ancient Greek, to take our programme. By Year 3, you will have developed the skills to spend time studying and living abroad.

Knowledge of Arabic provides access to the rich intellectual heritage of Islam and opens the door to a fascinating and varied region. As well as the Middle East, our joint honours programme will also develop your knowledge and understanding of the literature, culture and history of the classical and Islamic Mediterranean.