Arabic is the main language of more than 350 million people inhabiting land that extends 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. Arabic and History make an excellent combination. Our joint honours programme allows you to situate your understanding of the Arabic language, the Middle East and the Islamic world in the wider context of human history. You will spend a year of the programme studying and using your Arabic abroad. You will learn both classical and modern Arabic and explore the Arabic-speaking world, past and present. Apart from opening the door to a fascinating and varied region, knowledge of Arabic provides access to the rich intellectual heritage of Islam. Beyond the Middle East, you will develop a thorough understanding of the problems of historical interpretation as applied to a wide range of periods and geographical areas. We offer an exceptional range of history courses, covering: * the early Middle Ages to the most recent past * Britain and Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas Further, our courses offer a rich variety of approaches to the past, including: * political history * cultural history * social history * economic history * intellectual history * gender history * global and transnational history **Why Edinburgh** The University of Edinburgh is recognised in the UK and internationally as a leading institution for teaching and research in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies and in History. Arabic has been taught here since the mid-18th century. You will have access to over 23,000 resources in the University's collections in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, and a regular programme of workshops, film screenings, book launches and guest seminars. We design our Year 1 courses in Arabic for complete beginners and have built study abroad into the four-year programme, providing complete immersion in Arabic language and culture in Year 3. Combining a language with history to degree level demonstrates that you are a good communicator and someone open to other cultures and new ideas. This openness to perspectives other than your own is an essential attribute in many careers and a global marketplace.