Modern Languages (Persian and Russian) and Classical Studies

Persian, Russian and classical studies is an intellectually ambitious combination that spans three of the world's great language traditions and the civilisations they have produced. Persian is one of the world's oldest continuously spoken literary languages, carrying a poetic and philosophical tradition of extraordinary richness, and it provides access to the cultures and contemporary life of Iran, Afghanistan and the Persian-speaking diaspora. Russian is the native language of some 150 million people and one of the major literary and intellectual traditions of the modern world, with a history that spans the Tsarist empire, the Soviet period and the complex post-Soviet present.

Classical studies brings ancient Greek and Latin, alongside the history, literature, philosophy and material culture of the ancient Mediterranean world.

At the University of St Andrews you will study Persian in combination with Russian and classical studies within the Scottish four-year honours degree structure, which allows for breadth in the earlier years before the depth and specialisation of honours. The programme includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to pursue language learning and area studies in contexts outside the classroom. St Andrews' modern languages and classics departments support students across an unusually wide range of languages and classical disciplines.

You will develop proficiency in Persian and Russian alongside the scholarly tools of classical studies, learning to read, analyse and contextualise texts across three major cultural traditions. The combination of ancient and modern linguistic and cultural knowledge is a genuinely distinctive and transferable intellectual formation.

Graduates pursue careers in diplomacy, international affairs, journalism, translation, academic research, the civil service and cultural organisations. The linguistic breadth of the degree is particularly valued in contexts requiring engagement with multiple cultural and regional traditions. Postgraduate study in Persian, Russian, classics or area studies is a natural route.