Course summary

In this 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 fascinating countries. We teach Arabic and Russian from beginner level, but if you already have some knowledge of either language we can normally accommodate you. 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. The global response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine will require talented individuals able to demonstrate both linguistic and intercultural skills. Our course will equip you with the ability to navigate this challenging environment 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.