Persian and Middle Eastern Studies MA (Hons)

Level: Undergraduate

Subject: Arabic and Persian

Year of entry: 2026

Key facts

UCAS Code

T63H

Award

MA (Hons)

Duration of study

4 years

Delivery

Full-time

Study location

Central Area

Start date

September 2026

School

School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Study abroad

Mandatory

Placement

No

Open days and events

About the degree programme

Persian is one of the major languages of the Middle East and Central Asia. Its modern form has three variants which, collectively, are the first language of over 120 million people. It is the national language of Iran, where it is known as Farsi. It is spoken as Dari in Afghanistan and Tajik in Tajikistan.

To study Persian is to enter into a rich and diverse culture that has produced:

  • major epic and Sufi poets
  • world-class cinema
  • exquisite fine art and textiles 

Our programme is also your gateway to understanding modern Iran and the dynamics of the wider Middle East.

With increasing migration in response to changing global dynamics, there is demand for graduates of Persian in Scotland, the UK and abroad. Wherever you are based in the world, the ability to communicate in the modern language and to understand Middle Eastern cultures, will make you stand out.

Language learning in its cultural context

Our programme is designed for complete beginners in Persian. It is not for native speakers, but we do welcome heritage language learners. We can also accommodate students with some prior experience of studying Persian through exemptions from introductory language study.

You will develop advanced language skills over your four years, including in translation. You will learn to express yourself in modern Persian on a wide range of topical issues, and will gain the skills to engage with original material and contemporary Persian texts.

As well as developing your language skills, you will also study the Middle East from a range of perspectives:

  • historical
  • literary
  • cultural 
  • political

You will take an introductory course in the religion of Islam and, optionally, an honours course from another discipline such as:

  • Divinity
  • Politics 
  • Social Anthropology
  • History
  • History of Art

Why Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is recognised in the UK and internationally as a leading institution for teaching and research in Persian, Islam and the Middle East.

As part of your programme, you can opt to learn Arabic, Turkish or one of many other world languages too.

You will have access to over 23,000 resources in the University's collections in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, and a regular programme of workshops, film screenings, book launches and guest seminars.

When you graduate, you will have the combination of broad cultural education and specialist knowledge valued by employers worldwide.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is studied over 4 years, including up to one year abroad. This enables us to build choice and flexibility into your studies, giving you time to explore options, find what you like and build your skills.

Your first two years will be your pre-honours years. They will give you a good grounding in the Persian language and in the study of Islam, Iran and the Middle East. In addition to your core courses, you will broaden your education and skill set by choosing option courses from a range of disciplines. This gives you the chance to build your intercultural awareness in other areas of the arts, humanities, social sciences and beyond.

Your final two years will be your honours years. You may be able to spend time studying abroad in Year 3, gaining lived experience of Middle Eastern cultures. Your learning will be tailored to your interests in specific topics or approaches to the study of Iran, Islam and the Middle East. You will also further develop your Persian language and translation skills and write a dissertation.

How a joint degree programme works

You will study both Persian and Middle Eastern Studies to degree level, as well as taking optional courses in Years 1 and 2. You are also eligible to take an optional course from another discipline in Year 4.

Both your degree subjects are based in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies (IMES) in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC).

Your teaching will take place in and around the LLC buildings in the University's Central Area.

Programme rankings

  • 3rd in the UK for Modern Languages
  • 3rd in the UK in the broad subject area of Arts & Humanities

Rankings from QS World Rankings by Subject 2025

Programme benefits

  • Learn in an historic city where Persian has been taught since the 19th century.
  • Become fluent in a language spoken by over 120 million people worldwide.
  • Try out different subjects in your first two years.
  • Join societies related to what you are studying.
  • Delve into fantastic libraries and collections.

Find your entry requirements

Use the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.

  1. Select the country where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.
  2. Select the qualification you are studying or studied.
United Kingdom,

Tuition fees for MA (Hons) Persian and Middle Eastern Studies

View the tuition fees for one academic year of MA (Hons) Persian and Middle Eastern Studies.

Tuition fees for this programme

Additional costs

Year 3 may involve study abroad in a Persian-speaking country or an approved institution elsewhere. The costs you have to pay will depend on where you decide to go, and how you spend your time.

Some study placements at language schools may charge a fee, but we will normally refund you for tuition costs as long as your activity has been approved.

You will be responsible for associated travel costs such as flights and visas.

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that a single student can potentially spend a maximum of £920 to £2,257 on living costs each month, depending on your accommodation.

This estimate covers the costs of:

  • accommodation
  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel within Edinburgh
  • health and wellbeing costs

See a breakdown of living costs

Scholarships and funding

Funding information

You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section.

Funding

What you will study

Language courses

You will study basic Persian grammar, vocabulary and conversational skills.

You will develop the key tools to understand, speak, read and write elementary Persian.

You do not currently need to know any Persian, as Year 1 courses are designed for beginners. However, if you do have prior experience of Persian, you may be eligible for a partial or full exemption from Persian language study this year.

Discursive courses

You will take courses in:

  • Islamic History - a survey of the formation of the Islamic world, from its pre-Islamic origins to the foundation of the first Muslim world empire
  • Modern Middle Eastern History - an introduction to the Middle East's political, economic, social and cultural history from 1950 until the present day
Option courses 

You will complete your Year 1 studies with option courses, either from Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies (IMES) or from other subject areas.

You can, for example, opt to study Arabic or Turkish. Edinburgh offers one of the widest range of languages of any UK university. The majority are suitable for complete beginners and include cultural study.

Other options include, but are not limited to, courses in: 

  • linguistics and language sciences
  • history, classics and archaeology
  • politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations
  • business, economics and informatics
  • art and architectural history
  • Celtic and Scottish ethnology
  • philosophy, divinity and law
Find Year 1 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

You will continue with your Persian language study, developing the grammar and vocabulary to read, write and speak about social and everyday topics.

You will take courses in:

  • the religion of Islam - an exploration of the religion's branches, key texts, central beliefs and rituals
  • Islamic and Middle Eastern Cultures - an introduction to the literary, aesthetic and intellectual culture of the Middle East, from the eve of Islam to the modern period
Option courses

You can opt to study, or continue to study, Arabic, Turkish or another language.

As in Year 1, you can also choose from a wide range of discursive courses offered by IMES and by other subjects at the University.

Find Year 2 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

When study in a Persian-speaking country or at an approved institution elsewhere is permitted, you will spend Year 3 abroad. This will help you to improve your language, cross-cultural communication, and independent study skills.

Living abroad will also give you the wider perspective, experience and skills to embrace the opportunities and challenges of life after university.

Coursework while abroad 

If you go abroad, you will study at an accredited institution offering an immersive learning environment.

In addition, you will write an essay or short story in Persian, which you will be asked to talk about on your return.

You will begin work on your dissertation. By the time you return from your Year Abroad, you will be ready to submit a detailed dissertation proposal on a topic related to Persian, Islamic or Middle Eastern Studies.

Keeping in touch

While you are studying abroad for credit, you are still a student at the University of Edinburgh.

The Year Abroad Office and your Student Adviser, both based in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC), will check in with you at key points during your Year Abroad. Additionally, each language has a dedicated Year Abroad Coordinator for any academic queries, ensuring you are all set and ready for your final year in Edinburgh.

Just like any other time during your studies, you have access to all University services while you are abroad. These include our:

  • Student Wellbeing Service 
  • Student Counselling 
  • Student Disability and Learning Support 
  • University emergency helpline (available 24 hours a day) 
Wellbeing and safety

Your wellbeing and safety abroad is our first priority. If international travel is not possible or placements are disrupted, for example following travel advice from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), we will offer you alternative ways to engage with Persian and Middle Eastern Studies. This may involve taking a course in Intensive Persian, and choosing from specialist, honours-level option courses in aspects of the Middle East, enabling you to meet your learning outcomes and to prepare for your final year. Just as if you were studying abroad, you will also begin work on your dissertation.

Find Year 3 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

You will continue to develop your translation and conversational skills in Persian.

In your classes and coursework, you will respond to different materials, including Persian poetry and prose, films, and other media.

In addition to your core courses, you will also choose from a range of honours-level option courses dealing with different aspects of:

  • Persian literature - either classical or modern
  • Iran (including pre-Islamic Persia)
  • Islam and the Middle East

Depending on where your interests lie, one of these courses may be rooted in a different discipline, such as history, history of art, politics, social anthropology, or divinity.

Building on all the knowledge and skills you have developed over four years, including in independent research, you will complete your honours dissertation.

Find Year 4 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

Study abroad

When studying in a Persian-speaking country or at an approved institution elsewhere is permitted, you will spend at least part of Year 3 abroad.

We know that you are likely to have lots of questions about your Year Abroad. We have gone into lots more detail under ‘Year 3’ above. You can also find out more through the University's Study and Work Away Service.

What are my options for going abroad?

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

University is a place to plan your own goals under expert guidance, study independently and in groups, and reflect upon your learning throughout your degree.

Our approach to learning and teaching is active, inclusive and question-driven, so it may be different to your experiences at school. It will help you gain the skills for life after university, and we will guide you through the steps from one phase to the next.

Depending on the size of your year group, and which option courses you take, your classes will typically fall into three categories:

  • lectures
  • tutorials 
  • seminars

In addition to these classes, to get the most out of your courses, you will need to read widely.

Lectures

Lectures are taken by all students on a course, typically at the same time. They are delivered as interactive presentations which may involve audio-visual material.

Lectures are given by an experienced academic. They are designed to guide you through the background, questions and debates related to the topic you are studying.

Tutorials

Tutorial groups are smaller. They are also led by an academic, but here the emphasis is more on what you think about the topic yourself. So, tutorials are your chance to discuss and expand upon what you have learned in a lecture.

Language tutorials give you the opportunity to develop your linguistic skills in a range of real-world tasks under the supervision of an experienced language teacher.

These classes typically cover skills such as reading, writing, listening and speaking - all of which involve learning and applying grammar.

Seminars

Seminars blend features of lectures and tutorials. Again, they are designed to encourage and enable your active participation in learning.

On some courses, you will have seminars instead of lectures, especially in Year 4.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a combination of coursework and exams.

Coursework is generally completed throughout the year, while exams take place at the end of a teaching block.

Coursework will take a range of forms to give you the opportunity to practice different skills. For example, you may be asked to:

  • write an essay, review, blog post, opinion piece or learning journal
  • respond to a piece of writing, film, or other media, including through close reading
  • give a short talk or presentation
  • record a podcast or video
  • design a poster or presentation

Exams will include oral exams to test your spoken language skills.

In your final year, you will also complete a dissertation.

Support for your studies

As well as the teaching staff and other staff members you will meet day-to-day, there are lots of ways to get help with your learning, including through the University’s Institute for Academic Development (IAD). Peer support schemes bring together students across year groups to help each other with specific study skills, topics or themes.

Where you will study

Study location

When you are on campus, you can expect to spend most of your time in the University of Edinburgh's Central Area - in class, in the library, or in one of the University’s many social and support spaces.

The Central Area is located on the edge of Edinburgh's historic Old Town, surrounded by lots of green space.

Academic facilities

Libraries and collections

The Main University Library holds academic books, journals and databases, films, newspapers and other media. It has over 23,000 resources in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies (IMES), of which around 2,600 printed books are in Persian, and more than 100 films are in either Persian or Arabic.

The Library is also the home of the University's Centre for Research Collections which brings together:

  • more than 400,000 rare books
  • six kilometres of archives and manuscripts
  • thousands of works of art, historical musical instruments and other objects

Highlights include some of the world’s most precious Islamic manuscripts, such as Rashid al-Din’s History of the World and al-Biruni’s Chronology of Ancient Nations.

Many of the University's Special Collections are digitised and available online from our excellent Resource Centre, computing labs and dedicated study spaces in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC). The School's partnership with IMVBox.com gives you access to over 1,000 Iranian films.

IMES also has its own library at 19 George Square, with views across a central garden to both the Main University Library and LLC.

Centres for research, teaching and outreach

We have great links with the Alwaleed Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World which promotes a better understanding of Islam and Muslim culture locally, nationally and internationally.

Career paths

Skills and experience

Studying a language to degree level demonstrates that you are a good communicator, and someone open to other cultures and new ideas - what employers value as intercultural competence.

Beyond the language skills you will develop on this programme, you will gain a nuanced understanding of the Middle East. Graduating with a four-year Master of Arts degree from the University of Edinburgh shows intellectual maturity, resilience, and flexibility.

The skills you will be able to demonstrate to employers when you graduate include the ability to:

  • understand, analyse and articulate complex issues and concepts
  • manage your time to meet deadlines on different types of projects
  • work independently and as part of a group

Opportunities across sectors

Our programmes are an excellent primer for a range of careers, especially those that place a premium on thinking that is both disciplined and imaginative.

Within the private, public, not-for-profit, and for-benefit sectors, previous graduates have gone on to work in:

  • business, finance, commerce and tech
  • communications, marketing, advertising and public relations
  • education, outreach, advocacy and training
  • journalism, broadcasting and media
  • leisure, tourism and travel
  • politics, policy work, diplomacy, civil service and law
  • publishing, culture, heritage and the arts
  • research, development and venture acceleration
  • translating and interpreting

Local and global opportunities

With increasing migration in response to changing global dynamics, there is demand for our graduates in Scotland, the UK and abroad.

Wherever you are based in the world, the ability to communicate in another world language, and to understand the cultures to which it opens doors, will make you stand out.

If you are keen to work abroad, it’s good to know that, collectively, the three variants of modern Persian (Farsi, Dari and Tajik) are the first language of more than 120 million people in the Middle East and Central Asia. There are also significant communities of speakers in Europe (including Turkey), Australia and North America.

Your language learning and cultural awareness will make you ideally placed to work with displaced people from Iran and Afghanistan now living in Europe and other parts of the world, and with international organisations advancing refugee issues, rights and spaces.

Careers Service

Throughout your time with us, we will encourage you to identify and hone your employability skills.

Through the University's excellent Careers Service, you can:

  • get careers advice tailored towards Persian, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies
  • book one-to-one appointments and practice interviews
  • access a range of online resources
  • attend events and themed fairs such as the Creative and Cultural Careers Festival
  • get help finding work while you study and for around two years after you graduate

The Careers Service is also a partner in Life After LLC, a panel event where you can draw inspiration from recent graduates of programmes in literatures, languages and cultures.

Visit the Careers Service website

Further study

The enhanced research skills you will develop on a four-year programme, particularly in your honours years, will be valuable if you wish to continue studying at postgraduate level.

At the University of Edinburgh, we typically offer a one-year Masters by Research programme in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies.

We usually also offer taught masters programmes in:

  • Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies
  • The Globalised Muslim World

These programmes generally comprise a combination of core and optional courses taught by specialists in the field, training in research methods, and an independent dissertation.

Our other interdisciplinary masters programmes typically include:

  • Comparative Literature
  • Intermediality

Any of our masters degrees, whether research-based or taught, is a good foundation for a PhD, but is equally of value as a stand-alone qualification.

Graduate profiles

How to apply

You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.

Guidance on applying through UCAS

What you need to apply

As part of your application, you will need:

  • your academic qualifications
  • a personal statement
  • evidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)
  • a reference

How we select

If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.

As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.

How we select applicants

When to apply

  • 2026 entry UCAS deadline: 14 January 2026 (6:00pm GMT)

This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.

To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 14 January 2026, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.

Search degrees that are open on the UCAS website

Key application dates and deadlines

After you apply

After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:

Applying as an international student

As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS.  

Find out more about applying through UCAS  

Visas and immigration 

If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme.  

Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process. 

Applying for a visa  

Agents  

An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student. 

We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact.  

Find contact details for an education agent

What our students say

I think what makes Edinburgh special is that there is so much to do whatever your interests are! Whether you enjoy hiking, relaxing in a café, socialising with friends, or literally anything else, you will never run out of options here.

Minju Kim LLC graduate (2024)

In her final year studying languages at Edinburgh, Minju served as the Undergraduate Representative for the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures. Together with Programme Representatives for Persian and Middle Eastern Studies, Undergraduate Representatives are your voice in the university - sharing your feedback to continually improve the student experience for everyone. Their roles are supported by the Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA).

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

From making friends in language cafes to campaigning on global issues, student-led groups offer lots of ways to explore your subjects, interests and talents socially.

The Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) supports more than 300 student-led societies and clubs, including the Persian Society, and promotes opportunities with local charities through its volunteering centre.

Societies

Sports clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a world-leading festival city filled with cinemas, theatres, galleries, libraries and collections.

The city's resources for studying literatures, languages and cultures are exceptional, and its world cinema scene is particularly strong. Iran has been the thematic focus of the Edinburgh International Film Festival, and there is a regular Iranian Film Festival.

Many national collections are located close to the University's Central Area, making them easy to access between classes. Highlights include the:

  • National Library of Scotland
  • National Museum of Scotland 
  • National Galleries of Scotland

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include:

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustment

Health and wellbeing support services

Contact us

Contact us through our enquiry team if you have any questions about this programme.

Open days, events and visits

Find out when our next open days will be taking place

Open days, events and visits

Chat to our students on Unibuddy

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