Economics and Persian

Economics and Persian is an unusual but genuinely distinctive combination. Economics provides the analytical tools to understand how markets, institutions, and policy choices shape societies, building quantitative and reasoning skills that are valuable across a wide range of careers. Persian is one of the great classical languages of the world, opening access to the literary and cultural traditions of Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan, as well as to a region of considerable geopolitical and economic significance.

Students who develop real competence in both are genuinely rare.

At St Andrews you will follow a structured and rigorous approach to economics, building from foundational principles through to advanced analytical methods, quantitative techniques, and model-based reasoning. You will develop strong skills in economic analysis and decision-making that can be applied to real-world problems across many domains. Alongside this, you will study Persian at a level appropriate to your prior experience, developing language proficiency and engaging with Persian literature, history, and contemporary culture.

The four-year MA (Hons) programme includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to spend time in a Persian-speaking environment or at a partner university where both your language and economic studies can develop in an international context.

Graduates with this combination are exceptionally well placed for roles in international finance, trade, diplomacy, the civil service, consulting, and organisations with an interest in Iran and the broader region. The economic skills you develop are in demand across many sectors, and language proficiency in Persian adds a dimension that very few economics graduates possess. Postgraduate study in economics, international relations, Middle East studies, or area studies is also a natural next step.