Arabic and Persian and International Relations
Arabic, Persian, and International Relations is an unusual but genuinely powerful combination for anyone seeking to understand the political and cultural dynamics of the Middle East and Central Asia. Arabic is the most widely spoken language of the Arab world and a central medium of Islamic thought and literature. Persian is the language of Iran and an important literary and administrative language across a wide swathe of Asia, with a classical tradition of extraordinary richness.
International Relations provides the theoretical and empirical frameworks for analysing how states, international organisations, and non-state actors interact, and how power, interest, and norms shape global affairs.
At St Andrews, this five-year full-time programme gives you the time to develop genuine proficiency in two demanding languages while also engaging seriously with international relations theory and practice. You will study the linguistic structures and literary traditions of both Arabic and Persian, working with classical and modern texts and developing your reading, writing, and spoken language skills progressively across the degree. Alongside this, you will explore the major theories of international relations, the history of the modern international system, and the specific dynamics of the regions where Arabic and Persian are spoken.
St Andrews has a strong tradition in both languages and area studies and in international relations, and the combination of linguistic depth and analytical rigour makes the degree particularly distinctive.
Graduates are exceptionally well prepared for careers in diplomacy, the foreign service, intelligence and security analysis, international journalism, international organisations, development agencies, and commercial roles with a Middle Eastern or South Asian focus. Postgraduate study in area studies, international relations, or languages is also a natural path, and the rarity of the combination enhances its value in a competitive job market.