Persian Studies

Persian studies is the academic engagement with the language, literature, history, and culture of the Persian-speaking world, encompassing Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and the considerable diaspora communities these regions have produced. Persian is one of the great languages of world literature, with a poetic tradition stretching back over a thousand years that includes figures such as Rumi, Hafez, and Omar Khayyam, whose influence has reached far beyond the Persian-speaking world. The region is also one of extraordinary geopolitical significance, at the intersection of the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia, and understanding it in depth requires engagement with its language, its history, and its intellectual and cultural traditions.

At the University of Edinburgh, one of the UK's great research universities with strong traditions in Middle Eastern and Islamic studies, this four-year full-time programme includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to pursue your studies in a Persian-speaking context. Edinburgh's research connections and its position as a leading centre for area studies in the UK provide a stimulating academic environment. The typical entry tariff of 168 points reflects the competitive and intellectually demanding nature of a programme that combines language learning with substantive area studies.

You will develop proficiency in Persian alongside your engagement with the history, literature, and culture of the region, gaining the linguistic and cultural competence needed for serious scholarly or professional engagement with this part of the world.

Graduates of Persian studies go on to careers in diplomacy and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, journalism, international development, academia, translation, intelligence analysis, and cultural institutions concerned with the Middle East and Central Asia. The combination of linguistic ability and deep regional knowledge is rare and valued in organisations that need genuine expertise in Persian-speaking countries. Postgraduate study in Persian, area studies, international relations, or related fields is a natural next step for those who want to pursue research or specialist professional roles.