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Arabic & Islamic Studies

The Institute organises Arabic courses for universities, but also for companies, international organisations and individuals. 

The focus of our courses is on acquiring language fluency, and stimulating the four main language skills: speaking, listening, reading, writing. For university students who follow our courses as part of their curriculum at a university in their home countries, the language component of our courses is complemented by a culture component, in which we give the students a deeper insight in and experience of Egyptian society, politics, history and culture. 

Since decades, NVIC offers full semester programmes (30 ECTS) for students enrolled in the Arabic & Islamic Studies programmes at their universities in Flanders and the Netherlands. The BA programme, offered during the Spring semester (February-June), is fully integrated in the study programmes at the Dutch universities. The MA programme, offered during the Fall Semester (September-December), is an integral part of the curriculum at Leuven University and Ghent University, but can also be followed as an additional semester by students (of the Dutch and Flemish universities that support the Institute) after their graduation. 

NVIC also has a longstanding cooperation with the Swiss universities (Zürich, Basel, and Bern) and organises summer courses for their students. 

In addition, the Institute provides teacher training courses for Arabic instructors (TAFL – Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language) at different stages in their careers. 

NVIC also puts its teaching experience at the disposal of companies, embassies, international organisations and individuals. Please contact info@nvic.leidenuniv.nl if you would like to make use of our services. 

BA ARABIC AND ISLAMIC PROGRAMME - SPRING 2025


The upcoming semester will be in February 2025.

How to Apply

If you are enrolled in an Arabic language department at our partner universities, you may apply directly through our website. We will be in touch with your department once applications close.

If you are from outside these departments (for example, you are enrolled in faculties at Leiden University College, or from Political Science or International Relations,), please get in touch with your study advisor to determine if you are eligible. You may be eligible too apply to our other programme: The Middle East Studies programme. For these students, admission to this programme depends on available spots. Students will be notified in December if they have a spot.

For students not from our partner university, please get in touch with us to determine eligibility.

Please see the programme outline for more information.

The programme outline: here.

For registration please fill in this form.


APPLICATIONS FOR FALL SEMESTER ARE NOW OPEN AND WILL CLOSE ON 4 NOVEMBER 2024. 

Spring 2025 semester dates

(2 Feb – 5 June 2025)

2 Feb: Orientation Day
3 Feb: Classes begin
23-27 Feb: Alexandria trip
2 Mar: Classes recommence
23-27 Mar: Mid-term exams
30 Mar –3 Apr: BREAK EID EL-FITR
6 Apr: Classes recommence
20-24 Apr: EASTER/SHAM EL-NESSIM BREAK
27 Apr: Classes recommence
25-29 May: STUVAC
1-5 June: Final exams

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