Arab World Studies (Master)
Source: https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/master-programmes/arab-world-studies-master/ Parent: https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/degree-programmes-in-foreign-languages/
© Stephan Procházka
The master's programme "Arab World Studies: Language and Society" is a cultural studies programme which, depending on the chosen orientation, focuses on the society and religion of the Arab world, Arabic linguistics and spoken varieties or Arabic texts of the classical and post-classical periods. The aim of the Master's programme is to establish good knowledge of modern developments in the Arab world in its entirety, with special consideration of various forms of Muslim religiosity, as well as mastering the Arabic standard language up to level C1. The study plan offers numerous elective options and thus the opportunity for individual specialisation in certain subject areas. Furthermore, the study programme is designed to integrate a voluntary semester abroad at an educational institution within the Arabian region.
Master of Arts
Degree Programme Code: 066 676
4 semesters / 120 ECTS credits
NO entrance examination
Facts & Figures
- Students: n.a.
- Graduates in the last academic year: n.a.
- Number of semesters needed for graduation (median): n.a.
Data updated on: 26.11.2025
Information about presentation & calculation
Attention
Instruction Language German
Please note that the instruction language of this programme is German. To start the degree programme, you need to hold a certificate of German proficiency on C1 level.
Admission Procedure
Information about the admission procedure
Information on Previous Studies:
In any case eligible degree programmes at the University of Vienna:
Getting started
Orientation in the first semester
Getting Informed
Department of Oriental Studies
Students' Representatives Oriental Studies
Study Programme
The master’s programme consists of compulsory modules (common core), groups of alternative compulsory modules (to choose from: specialisations in religion or politics, Arabic language or language and culture of South Arabia), elective modules, a master’s thesis and a master’s examination.
Five concepts
which you will deal with during your studies:
- Arabic dialectology
- Calligraphy
- Ancient cultures in South Arabia
- Media and media language
- Religious studies with focus on Islam
... and many more.
Overview of the programme structure & topics
Here you find the current offer of courses for this programme to gain better insight into the topics and structure. For more information please click on the respective level.
Group of Compulsory Modules Common Core (16 ECTS)
GK-1 Basics of Arabic Linguistics and Philology (8 ECTS)
GK-2 Basics of Societies in the Modern Arab World (8 ECTS)
Alternative Group of Compulsory Modules (32 ECTS)
Religion and Politics (32 ECTS)
RP-1 Islam in the Arab World and Beyond (8 ECTS)
RP-2 Arabic-Islamic Heritage (8 ECTS)
RP-3 Social, Political and Religious Movements in the Arab World (8 ECTS)
RP-4 The Arab World and the Internet (8 ECTS)
Arabic Linguistics with Emphasis on Spoken Varieties (32 ECTS)
AS-1 Theoretical and Practical Aspects of Arabic Linguistics (8 ECTS)
AS-2 Geographical and Typological Classification of Arabic Dialects (8 ECTS)
AS-3 Selected Topics of Arabic Dialectology and Linguistics I (8 ECTS)
AS-4 Selected Topics of Arabic Dialectology and Linguistics II (8 ECTS)
Arabic Texts from the Classical and Post-Classical Periods (32 ECTS)
AT-1 Texts: Their Materiality and Content (8 ECTS)
AT-2 Texts from a Synchronic Perspective (8 ECTS)
AT-3 Texts from a Diachronic Perspective (8 ECTS)
AT-4 Reading of Classical and Post-Classical Texts (8 ECTS)
WM-1 Arabic Popular Culture (8 ECTS)
WM-2 History of Culture and Science in the Arab World (8 ECTS)
WM-3 Security Policy in the Arab World (8 ECTS)
WM-4 Internet Structures in the Arab World (8 ECTS)
WM-5 Modern Written Arabic Language: Conversation and Translation (8 ECTS)
WM-6 Media Arabic: Listening Comprehension, Analysis (8 ECTS)
WM-7 Paleography and Codicology (8 ECTS)
WM-8 Afroasiatic Language I (8 ECTS)
WM-9 Afroasiatic Language II (8 ECTS)
WM-10 South Arabia in the Past and Today (8 ECTS)
WM-11 Regional and Thematic Focus: Workshop or Excursion (16 ECTS)
WM-12 Urbanisation in the Arab World (8 ECTS)
WM-13 Art and Architecture in the Arab World (8 ECTS)
WM-14 Current Discussions in the Arab World (8 ECTS)
WM-15 Digital Humanities in Arabic Studies (8 ECTS)
WM-16 Arabic Dialect (16 ECTS)
WM-17 Islam in the Arab World and Beyond (8 ECTS)
WM-18 Arabic-Islamic Heritage (8 ECTS)
WM-19 Social, Political and Religious Movements in the Arab World (8 ECTS)
WM-20 The Arab World and the Internet (8 ECTS)
WM-21 Theoretical and Practical Aspects of Arabic Linguistics (8 ECTS)
WM-22 Geographical and Typological Classification of Arabic Dialects (8 ECTS)
WM-23 Selected Topics of Arabic Dialectology and Linguistics I (8 ECTS)
WM-24 Selected Topics of Arabic Dialectology and Linguistics II (8 ECTS)
WM-25 Texts: Their Materiality and Content (8 ECTS)
WM-26 Texts from a Synchronic Perspective (8 ECTS)
WM-27 Texts from a Diachronic Perspective (8 ECTS)
WM-28 Reading of Classical and Post-Classical Texts (8 ECTS)
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After Graduation
Graduates can pursue a career in the following areas:
- academia – teaching and research
- media sector
- diplomatic service
- national and international public administration organisations
- as teachers at adult education institutions
- as employees at companies with clients in the Arab world
- social work and work for NGOs
- Austrian institutions working with foreigners and integration
- cultural management
- administration and public relations at institutions in the academic and cultural sector (archives, libraries, museums, tourism, media)
In addition, graduates are qualified to work in other occupational fields that require profound knowledge of the Arab cultural area and the Arabic language.
Continuing after Graduation
- [Center for Doctoral Studies - everything about doctorcal/PhD programmes at the University of Vienna](http://doktorat.univie.ac.at/en/)
- Alumni of the University of Vienna
- [Postgraduate Center - postgraduate programmes at the University of Vienna](http://www.postgraduatecenter.at/en)
- Uniport - career service of the University of Vienna
Graduates' Perspective on the Degree Programme
#### Degree programme in retrospect
Graduates ...
- say that this degree programme receives the grade: 1.9 (good)
- rate the level of difficulty as: 3.4 (appropriate)
→ These results are basd on feedback from 15 graduates.
*You can find further assessments of the degree programme from its graduates’ perspective in the graduate survey of themaster’s programmes in Oriental Studies (in German).
3 years after graduation ...
- 54% of graduates residing in Austria are gainfully employed.
- graduates earn approx. € 2,583 gross/month.
- graduates work e.g. in the education sector.\
*You can find precise information on implementation, evaluation and use as well as further data for this degree programme in the graduate tracking "Diploma Oriental Studies".