Arabic and English

Arabic is one of the world's most significant languages, spoken by over 300 million people across the Middle East and North Africa, and carrying the weight of a literary, philosophical and religious tradition stretching back more than a millennium. English, meanwhile, is the dominant language of global commerce, science, diplomacy and the internet. Studying them together at the University of Westminster develops a powerful bilingual capability that is genuinely rare among UK graduates, alongside the analytical tools to engage seriously with the cultures and texts associated with both languages.

At Westminster, the emphasis is firmly on producing competent linguists and communicators who are ready for graduate employment. This part-time programme allows you to develop both languages alongside other commitments, building your skills progressively in reading, writing, listening and speaking in Arabic while deepening your analytical engagement with English language, literature and cultural contexts. You will develop an understanding of the contemporary cultural contexts in which both languages operate, including the media, politics, and creative output of Arabic-speaking societies.

Westminster's London location provides a particularly rich environment for this combination, placing you close to Arabic-speaking communities, diplomatic institutions, media organisations, and businesses with deep ties to the Middle East. The emphasis on employability throughout the programme means you develop the professional orientation that graduate employers look for alongside your linguistic and cultural knowledge.

Graduates of Arabic and English programmes move into careers in journalism, translation and interpreting, the diplomatic service, international business, NGOs, publishing, education, and roles in organisations with engagement in the Middle East and North Africa. The combination is particularly valued in contexts where Arabic language competence and strong English communication skills are both required. Many graduates also pursue postgraduate study in linguistics, Middle Eastern studies, translation, or international relations.