Arabic and Persian and Latin

Arabic, Persian, and Latin together span some of the most significant intellectual and literary traditions of the pre-modern world. Arabic is the language of the Quran, of classical Islamic philosophy and science, and of a living literary culture with hundreds of millions of speakers. Persian is the language of Rumi, Hafez, and the great poetry of the Persian literary tradition, with a history stretching back over a millennium and a continuing cultural vitality across Iran, Afghanistan, and parts of Central Asia.

Latin is the language of ancient Rome, of the medieval Church, of Renaissance humanism, and of the legal and philosophical tradition that shaped European civilisation. Studying all three at once is an act of genuine scholarly ambition.

At the University of St Andrews, this five-year full-time programme allows you to take Arabic in combination with Persian and Latin as part of a joint honours degree. You will develop practical proficiency in each language alongside deep engagement with the literary, cultural, historical, and intellectual traditions they carry. St Andrews emphasises the particular value of studying Arabic alongside other languages, as it offers rich opportunities for comparative analysis across languages, literatures, cultures, histories, politics, and economics.

The combination of Arabic and Persian is especially powerful for those interested in the Islamic intellectual tradition in both its Arabic and Persian expressions, while the addition of Latin opens up the classical and medieval European heritage that shaped the world in which these traditions encountered and influenced one another.

Graduates of this degree possess an extraordinary range of linguistic and cultural knowledge, combined with rigorous analytical and research skills.

Careers include roles in diplomacy, academia, journalism, translation, heritage, international organisations, and cultural institutions. Many graduates go on to doctoral research in Islamic studies, Persian literature, classical studies, or related fields. The degree is also excellent preparation for careers in government, intelligence, or any field requiring deep expertise in the languages and cultures of the Middle East and the classical world.