Persian and Middle Eastern Studies, MA (Hons)

Known as Farsi in Iran, Dari in Afghanistan and Tajik in Tajikistan, Persian is one of the major languages of Middle East and Central Asia. It has over 120 million native speakers, ranking it among the world's 20 most widely spoken first languages. To study Persian is to enter into a rich and diverse culture that has produced major epic and Sufi poets, exquisite miniature painting, fine textiles and world-class cinema. It is also a gateway to modern Iran, a dynamic society at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Our programme is designed to give you a thorough grounding in both classical and modern Persian, enabling you to access a wide range of original material. As well as developing your language skills, you'll also study the historical, literary, cultural and political life of the Middle East, as well as the rich intellectual heritage of Islam. The School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures at the University of Edinburgh is recognised in the UK and internationally as a leading institution for the research-led study of Persian and the Middle East, together with Arabic, Turkish and Islam.