Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures (Arabic) with Music Studies

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

3 Years

180 ECTS

Mode of Study

Full-time

Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures (Arabic)

Applicants wishing to join the part-time mode must submit their application as full-time, and then include a note in the comments box of the application form, denoting their preference to be considered for the part-time option. Such requests will be considered by the Board of the Faculty.

The Bachelor’s degree programme in Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures (Arabic) studies provides you with a comprehensive understanding of the Arabic language, literature, cultures, and history. Through a rigorous academic curriculum and language experiences, the programme aims to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking abilities necessary to engage with and contribute to the global Arabic-speaking community, foster cross-cultural understanding, and promote intercultural communication.

The overarching learning objectives of the Arabic programme is to develop your linguistic, cultural, and analytical competencies necessary to engage with the Arabic-speaking world. You will acquire advanced proficiency in Arabic, gain in-depth knowledge of different Arab cultures, literature, and contemporary issues, and develop critical thinking, research, and intercultural communication skills.

Communication and Academic Skills Programme

The communication and academic skills programme complements students’ main course of study. It introduces them to writing and presenting as situated within academic contexts sensitive to specific disciplines and develops their competences for future careers.

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Information for International applicants

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

Music Studies

Applicants shall undertake an interview and an audition. Applicants with at least an Intermediate level pass at Grade C or better in Music shall be exempted from both the interview and audition.

Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures (Arabic)

Applicants in terms of the 'maturity (adult learners) clause' are required to sit for an interview, held on a date which will be announced in due course.

Applicants may also be required to submit a Learning Portfolio. Further information about the Portfolio will be forwarded to applicants.

Music Studies

Auditions and interviews will be held either in July or in September. Applicants whose main training is in musical composition must send their composition sample by email (music.spa@um.edu.mt) on dates, which will be communicated in due course.

Information about the interview and audition.

Applicants may also be required to submit a Learning Portfolio. Further information about the Portfolio will be forwarded to applicants.

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You can submit your application online. The deadlines for submission of applications vary according to the intake and courses. We encourage all international applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible. This is especially important if you require a visa to travel and eventually stay in Malta.

You can compare your national qualifications to the local requirements by visiting our qualifications comparability webpage. Access more information about our admission process and English language requirements.

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Our dedicated team at the student recruitment office is here to support you every step of the way. From the moment you start your application to the moment when you receive your decision letter, we're here to assist you. If you have any questions or need further information, don't hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact us at info@um.edu.mt, and our team will be more than happy to help.

After you receive an offer from us, our International Office will assist you with visas, accommodation and other related issues.

Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures (Arabic)


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

ARB1001	Arabic 1	8 ECTS	(NC)
ARB1025	Introduction to Arabic Studies	4 ECTS	(NC)


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

ARB1002	Arabic 2	8 ECTS	(NC)
ARB1042	Arabic Literature: The Abbasid Period	6 ECTS	(NC)

Requirement for regular progression to Year 2:
26 ECTS credits in Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures (Arabic)
26 ECTS credits in the other area
8 ECTS credits in optional study-units

Total credits for this year: 60 ECTS credits

In addition to the compulsory study-units, students are required to register for 16 ECTS credits in elective study-unit on offer during the year.


Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

LLT1160	Sociolinguistics: An Introduction to Language Variation and Change	4 ECTS


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

ARB2016	Arabic 3	8 ECTS	(NC)
ARB3031	Arabic Readings: Classical Arabic Literature	4 ECTS
NES2016	Archaeology and Nationalism in the Middle East	4 ECTS

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

ANT2003	Nation, State and Society in the Middle East/North Africa	4 ECTS
ARB3047	Arabic Linguistic and Literary Themes	6 ECTS
LIN1024	Hands-on Language	4 ECTS
LLT1011	Introduction to Linguistics 1	6 ECTS
LLT2180	Language Variation and Change: Historical Linguistics	4 ECTS
LLT2360	Language and Culture of Deaf People	4 ECTS
LLT2510	Introduction to Programming for Language Applications	4 ECTS
MAL1020	Minn Djalett Għarbi għal Ilsien Nazzjonali: L-Istorja tal-Malti	4 ECTS
MAL1021	Daħla għal-Lingwistika	2 ECTS
MAL1070	L-Eqdem Testi Poetiċi Maltin	4 ECTS
NES2003	Introduction to Semitic Languages	4 ECTS


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

ARB2003	Maghrebi Arabic	4 ECTS	(NC)
ARB2034	Arabic Literature: The Modern Period	6 ECTS
ARB3057	Arabic 4	8 ECTS	(NC)

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

LIN2022	Models of Grammar	4 ECTS
LIN2350	Issues in Phonetics and Phonology	4 ECTS
NES1004	Origins of the Alphabet	4 ECTS

Requirement for regular progression to Year 3:
46 ECTS credits in Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures (Arabic)
10 ECTS credits in the subsidiary area
4 ECTS credits optional study-units

Total credits for this year: 60 ECTS credits


Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

ARB3099	Dissertation	12 ECTS	(NC)


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

ARB2018	Approaches to the Study of Political Discourse in the Middle East	4 ECTS
ARB3005	Arabic Dialectology	4 ECTS
ARB3018	Arabic 5	8 ECTS	(NC)
ARB3019	Directed Study in Arabic Studies	4 ECTS	(NC)
ARB3032	Arabic Readings: Modern Arabic Literature	4 ECTS	(NC)


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

ARB2012	Media Arabic	6 ECTS
ARB3004	Arabic Readings: Contemporary Arabic Writings	4 ECTS	(NC)
ARB3006	Dialectal Arabic	4 ECTS	(NC)
ARB3011	Synoptic Study-Unit 1: Arabic Grammar	6 ECTS	(NC)
ARB3012	Synoptic Study-Unit 2: Classical and Modern Arabic Texts	6 ECTS	(NC)

Requirement for successful completion of Year 3: 60 ECTS credits

Requirement for award of B.A. (Hons) in Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures (Arabic): 180 ECTS credits, of which:
132 ECTS credits in Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures (Arabic)
36 ECTS credits in the subsidiary area
12 ECTS credits optional study-units

Music Studies


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

MSP1153	Vocal Ensemble 1	2 ECTS
MSP1263	World Music	6 ECTS
MSP1269	History of Music: Classical Antiquity to Baroque	6 ECTS	(NC)


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

MSP1253	Vocal Ensemble 2	2 ECTS
MSP1262	History of Music: Classical Period to Twenty-first Century	6 ECTS	(NC)
MSP1264	Music and Creativity in Cyberspace	4 ECTS

Requirement for regular progression to Year 2:
26 ECTS credits in Music Studies
26 ECTS credits in the other area
8 ECTS credits in optional study-units (students may wish to choose from the elective study-units listed in the Bachelor of Music (Honours) programme of study)

Total credits for this year: 60 ECTS credits

Students are required to choose study-units to the value of 10 ECTS credits from the elective study-units on offer during the year.


Semester 1

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

MSP2111	Jazz Improvisation 1	4 ECTS
MSP2153	Vocal Ensemble 3	2 ECTS
MSP2301	Basic Conducting	2 ECTS
MSP2340	Orchestration Techniques 1	5 ECTS
PFA2004	Interdisciplinary Theories of Performance	5 ECTS
PFA2005	Performance and Philosophy	4 ECTS


Semester 2

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

MSP2064	Ethnomusicology	4 ECTS
MSP2072	Ensemble Techniques 1	4 ECTS
MSP2132	Oral Music Traditions of the Mediterranean	4 ECTS
MSP2133	Music and Spirituality in Contemporary Music	2 ECTS
MSP2155	Areas of Research in Music Studies	4 ECTS
MSP2253	Vocal Ensemble 4	2 ECTS
MSP2288	Jazz Technique and Composition 2	4 ECTS
MSP2312	Orchestration Techniques 2	4 ECTS

Requirement for successful completion of Year 2: 10 ECTS credits

Requirement for regular progression to Year 3:
10 ECTS credits in Music Studies
46 ECTS credits in the other area
4 ECTS credits optional study-units

Total credits for this year: 60 ECTS credits

This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Undergraduate Awards, 2019 and by the Bye-Laws for the award of the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - B.A. (Hons) - under the auspices of the Faculty of Arts.

Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures (Arabic)

By the end of the undergraduate programme, you will gain the following skills:

Language Proficiency: The acquisition of an advanced level of proficiency in Modern Standard Arabic and at least one dialect will enable you to communicate effectively in diverse settings.
Cultural Competence: Possessing a deep understanding of Arab culture, traditions, customs, and values will enable you to navigate and interact respectfully within Arab societies and contribute to intercultural dialogue.
Analytical Skills: The development of strong analytical and critical thinking skills will allow you to critically analyse and evaluate complex social, political, and cultural issues related to the Arab world.
Research and Scholarship: You will be able to demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research, utilising primary and secondary sources in Arabic, and apply scholarly methodologies to produce high-quality academic work in the field of Arabic studies.
Global Perspective: The course material will include a global perspective and will therefore provide you with interdisciplinary knowledge, thus enabling you to understand the historical, geopolitical, and socio-cultural complexities of the Arab world and its relationships with other regions.
Intercultural Communication: You will be able to proficiently exhibit practical intercultural communication skills, demonstrating sensitivity to cultural differences and the ability to bridge gaps through open dialogue and respectful engagement with diverse communities.

Non EU Applicants:

Fee per academic year: Eur 8,500

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Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures (Arabic)

As a graduate in this course, you will be prepared for a range of professional opportunities, such as careers (both locally and internationally) in academia, diplomacy, international business, translation, journalism, education, and non-profit organisations, where your expertise in Arabic language and culture will be highly valued. If you are interested in furthering your education, or are considering an academic profession, then we encourage you to enrol in one of our local postgraduate courses for a honed academic background.

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