Oxford – European and Middle Eastern Languages

The course in European and Middle Eastern Languages (EMEL) allows students to combine Arabic, Persian, Turkish, or Hebrew with a language from the Faculty of Modern Languages. (Czech, Modern Greek, German, Italian, French, Portuguese, Spanish or Russian).

Undergraduates will study the language and literature of both languages. The first year of studying a Middle Eastern language is largely devoted to intensive language classes. The second year is spent in the Middle East, on a language course approved by the university. Students are also encouraged to spend as much time as they can during the vacation in the country of their European language. The year abroad for this course can be an exciting experience and often proves the highlight of a student’s time studying EMEL.

After they come back from the year abroad, students are given greater choice over which options they take on both sides of the course. These can be in literature, linguistics, and history, to name just a few. Students are also required to write a bridging essay, where they link their two subjects.

An A Level or equivalent in a Modern Language is required.