Persian and Psychology

Persian and psychology is an unusual combination that brings together two richly rewarding fields of study with very different methods and objects of inquiry. Persian, also known as Farsi, is one of the oldest continuously spoken languages in the world, with a literary tradition of extraordinary depth that includes figures such as Rumi, Hafez, and Ferdowsi. It is spoken by tens of millions of people across Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan, and its study opens a window onto a region of immense historical, political, and cultural significance.

Psychology provides a scientific understanding of human behaviour, perception, cognition, and mental life, using empirical methods to investigate questions that matter profoundly to how we live and relate to one another.

At the University of St Andrews, this four-year programme combines thorough linguistic and cultural training in Persian with a rigorous grounding in psychological science. In the psychology strand you will be introduced to a broad range of areas including perception, cognition, motivation, behaviour, developmental psychology, and research methods, with emphasis placed on practical classes and learning to conduct and evaluate research from the outset. Your Persian studies will develop your language skills alongside a deep understanding of the literature, history, culture and contemporary society of the Persian-speaking world.

The programme includes a year abroad, which can be spent in a relevant country, enriching both your linguistic fluency and your understanding of the cultures you are studying.

Graduates are well placed for careers in international diplomacy, translation and interpreting, academic research, journalism, and NGO and development work focused on Central and South Asia, the Middle East, or diaspora communities. The psychological understanding you gain also opens doors in healthcare, education, research, and applied settings where cultural competence and a scientific understanding of behaviour are both valued. Further study at postgraduate level is a natural route for many graduates, particularly those interested in clinical psychology, international relations, or Persian literary and historical scholarship.