Arabic and Russian BA

Course overview

In this fascinating and varied five-year degree, you’ll learn two major world languages and deepen your understanding of the modern world by exploring the histories and cultures of the nations that speak them. You’ll spend one year in an Arabic-speaking country and another in a Russian-speaking country, improving your language skills and gaining first-hand experience of these cultures and societies to enrich your understanding of these amazing countries.

We teach Arabic and Russian from beginners’ level, but if you already have some knowledge of either language we can also accommodate you. This programme also includes modules specifically designed for heritage speakers of Russian.

You’ll become proficient in Arabic while building your understanding of the cultural, religious and historical contexts that have shaped the Middle East and North Africa. You will also learn about contemporary relevant issues of these regions, and explore themes such as cultural identity, sexuality, gender and race.

With approximately 170 million native speakers and tens of millions who speak it as a second language, Russian is a lingua franca not only in the Russian Federation but also in many parts of Eastern Europe, Central Asia and diasporic communities worldwide. Our course will equip you with the linguistic and intercultural skills to navigate this rich and complex cultures with confidence.  

The School of Languages, Cultures and Societies at Leeds is an exciting place for your undergraduate experience. Our diverse international community of students and staff, student-led societies and outstanding pastoral support creates a friendly and dynamic atmosphere for all our students.

To find out what it is like to study with us, visit the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies website.

Facilities detail

With a variety of specialist facilities and four libraries on campus, you’ll find plenty of space for study, group work, and research.

The School archive at Leeds holds Arabic manuscripts and as many as 10,000 archaeological artefacts ranging from Pharaonic to early Palestinian eras. It’s a fantastic research resource. 

The world-class Brotherton Library is home to a wide variety of manuscripts, archive and early printed material in its Special Collections – valuable assets for your independent research. These include rare copies of magazines and unpublished letters, with materials across the range of languages that we teach. It includes extensive collections relating to Middle Eastern, North African and Islamic studies. The University of Leeds is home to the world-leading Leeds Russian Archive, established in 1982 and comprising around 650 collections of manuscripts, photographs, and other archival material related to Anglo-Russian contacts in the 19th and 20th centuries.  With reserves of texts by Russophone authors, ranging from Bunin to Lenin, the Archive offers countless opportunities for meaningful original research.  Our main library resources are also excellent, and the University Library offers a comprehensive training programme to help you make the most of them.  

The Language Centre includes digital language labs, audio/video practice booths and Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL). The Language Zone offers excellent learning material in more than 50 languages, including online resources and advice. The Language Exchange and the Language Groups programme provide opportunities to practise with other learners and native speakers; you can also volunteer to help other learners and enhance your CV at the same time.  

In your language classes, you will benefit from using a number of state-of-the-art digital resources, including IntelliText: a program developed at Leeds that offers access to large collections of authentic texts in Russian (and other languages) which will help you produce more sophisticated and natural language in your writing and speaking. 

Course details

This course, and the unique experience of living abroad, will equip you with the knowledge, skills and intercultural awareness necessary to pursue a wide range of exciting global careers.

Core and optional modules will give you a firm grounding in both languages while you study topics that suit your interests. You'll also develop a range of transferable skills which are highly regarded by employers including critical thinking, enhanced communication, analytical and cultural awareness skills.

Year 1

In your first year, you’ll study core and optional modules that develop your language skills in both Arabic and Russian, introduce you to the politics, history, cultures and religions of the Middle East and North Africa, and explore a contemporary understanding of Russia in a global context. A joint honours degree allows you to study the same core topics as students on each single honours course, but you’ll take fewer optional modules so you can fit in both subjects.  

Year 2 and 3

In your second and third years, you’ll study abroad. You’ll spend a year in a Russian-speaking country, taking an intensive language course classes and experiencing local culture first-hand.  You'll spend another year in Morocco or Jordan (subject to availability of places in both countries) at an institution that has been selected for its high-quality methods of teaching and success in running TAFL (Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language) courses. The curriculum you will study during your year abroad is exclusively for our students. 

Year 4

You’ll return to Leeds to continue developing your language proficiency in Arabic and Russian and choose from a variety of optional modules on topics as diverse as Middle Eastern history, and contemporary Arab media, translation theory and practice, Business Russian or aspects of Russophone cultures and societies.

Year 5

You’ll deepen your knowledge in your final year at Leeds, studying advanced language modules and working on a final year research project. This could be a dissertation, translation or digital documentary, submitted as a podcast. You'll also have the flexibility to choose from a range of optional modules in areas that interest you. The international outlook and knowledge you develop alongside advanced language skills will allow you to consider career options in a range of fields.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Arabic and Russian BA in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

• Beginning Arabic 1
• Beginning Arabic 2
• Studying the Middle East: Culture, History, Politics and Religion
• Beginning Russian 1 or Core Russian 1 or Russian Language for Heritage Speakers
• Beginning Russian 2
• What is Russia? An Introduction to Russian Studies

Year 1 optional modules for students with prior knowledge of Russian (selection of typical options shown below)

• Introduction to Audio-Visual Culture
• Language: Structure and Sound
• World Histories
• Intercultural Competence: Theory and Application
• Politics, Culture and Society
• Worlds of Literature
• Discourse, Culture and Identity

Year 2 and 3 compulsory modules

• Arabic Year Abroad
• Russian Year Abroad

Year 4 compulsory modules

• Advanced Arabic Grammar and Translation
• Essential Skills in Practical Arabic
• Core Russian Language 2 or Applied Russian Language for Heritage Speakers

Year 4 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

• Arab Media, Politics and Society
• Cultures of the Arab Middle East and North Africa
• The Shari’a: Theory, Practice, Transformations
• Black Europe
• Global Environmental Humanities
• Digital Communications Across Cultures
• The Sounds of Russian
• The Spaces of Russian Literature
• Gender and Sexuality in Russia

Year 5 compulsory modules

• Advanced Skills in Arabic Language
• Core Russian Language 3
• Final Year Project: Dissertation, Translation, or Podcast

Year 5 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

• Arabic Stylistics
• Islam and Modernity
• Middle Eastern Politics: Regimes, Societies and Conflict
• Russian Advanced Translation
• The Structures of Russian
• Contemporary World Literature
• Decolonial Approaches
• Social Movements across Cultures
• Minoritised Languages, Dialects and Cultures from Past to Present

Learning and teaching

You'll learn through a mix of seminars, lectures, workshops, group supervisions and one-to-one supervisions, as well as independent learning supported by a rich range of resources. Our tutors are passionate researchers and dedicated teachers who use a range of teaching methods to help you benefit from their expertise, including lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops.  

Independent study is also central to this degree, since it allows you to develop your skills in research and analysis. You’ll be able to apply your skills and knowledge in a final year research project on a topic of your own choice.  

We are committed to an innovative and inclusive approach to teaching, which draws on a variety of activities, including flipped learning, group presentations, and bespoke digital resources to prepare you for your seminar discussions.  

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

We are creative in our approach to assessment, and always use assessment to support your independent learning, to ensure assessment is fair and inclusive.  

We use a wide range of assessments including essays, exams, presentations, podcasts, literature reviews, reflective logs, and group projects. Assessments are designed to deliver the transferable skills needed for the world of work; task-based activities are designed to evidence critical thinking, demonstrate initiative, and show knowledge of a range of relevant subjects and sources. We often try to provide you with a choice of assessment type.  

Support for assessments is integrated into our teaching and you'll usually have the opportunity for formative assessments that allow you to practice your skills and do well in your formal assessments. We also run extra classes on skills such as public speaking, structuring essays and exam technique that you’ll be able to attend throughout your time at Leeds. 

Entry requirements

A-level: ABB

Other course specific tests:

When an applicant is taking the EPQ in a relevant subject this might be considered alongside other Level 3 qualifications and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A Levels, this would be BBB at A Level including Russian and grade A in the EPQ.

Alternative qualification

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds offer: BBC at A Level including B in Russian and pass Access to Leeds.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in any component.. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Fees

UK: To be confirmed

International: £26,000 (per year)

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

Applying

Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

Read our guidance about applying.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

Contact us

Faculty of Arts Admissions

Email: artsadmissions@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Career opportunities

You’ll gain the language and professional skills to prepare you for an international career in a wide range of sectors. This Arabic & Russian degree allows you to gain proficiency in two major world languages. As well as demonstrating that you’re intellectually versatile, your languages degree will equip you with a wide range of skills across different disciplines which are attractive to employers such as: 

• Good research skills and the ability to analyse complex information from multiple sources before drawing your own conclusions. 
• Communication skills, enabling you to defend your views clearly, either verbally or in writing. 
• Strong organisational skills and the confidence to work independently or in a team. 
• A deep understanding of cultural diversity, allowing you to work effectively with people whose backgrounds differ from yours. 

Leeds graduates have pursued careers across the globe and in a range of sectors including education, the media, law, publishing, the civil service and diplomacy, business and finance and the charity sector. Many others have also pursued postgraduate study, including further training in language-based careers such as translating and interpreting.

Careers support

At Leeds, we are fully committed to developing your employability and career prospects. You’ll have a wealth of opportunities to develop your skills and make the most out of your time at Leeds and during the time you’ll spend abroad. 

Experience of living abroad, combined with detailed study of languages and cultures, is valuable preparation for employment in a multicultural, multinational environment. 

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers. 

Our experts in the University’s Careers Centre will support you to make informed decisions about your career path, understand the opportunities available and the steps you need to take to pursue your choices. You’ll be encouraged to attend on-campus events including graduate recruitment fairs, employer networking and information sessions, and meetings with our alumni.    

The Union provides career-related support through the part-time job hub, student societies and other activities throughout the year. Clubs and societies are a great way to get involved in lots of activities and explore your interests. They’re also a great way to develop your skills such as team working and leadership. For example, you could be a key player in an award-winning sports team, or become a committee member and chair society meetings, or you could even project manage a volunteering trip overseas. The Union is home to School Reps who are appointed by students to represent the views and be the voice of students in your School.   

At Leeds, you can access support to help you start your own business. Whether you want to learn about enterprise or become an entrepreneur, we offer award-winning specialist support.

As a student with us, you will be guided in your career choices and prepared for life after your degree in a variety of ways. Workshops and events are organised for you by the School throughout the year and focus on networking, understanding the value of your language skills, hearing from alumni about their career experiences and hosting graduate recruiters who want to hire you.  

We’ll also keep you informed of work/voluntary placements for your time abroad and of any other part-time and volunteering opportunities that you can fit around your studies.  

Study abroad and work placements

Study abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America. 

Find out more at the Study Abroad website.

In this five-year course, you’ll spend two years abroad, in year two and year three. For the Arabic year abroad, you’ll study at an institute such as the Arabic Language Institute in Fes (ALIF), Morocco, or Jordan Language Academy in Amman. You’ll also spend a year taking an intensive Russian language course in a Russian-speaking country.

During your time abroad, you’ll have the chance to practise and develop your language skills as well as immersing yourself in the culture.

Read more about the Arabic year abroad

Read more about the Russian year abroad