Modern Languages (Persian and Spanish) and english

Persian and Spanish are two languages with very different histories and geographies but with surprisingly rich points of connection and contrast. Persian is one of the great literary languages of the world, with a classical tradition of poetry, philosophy and narrative that stretches back more than a millennium and a contemporary significance that extends across Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan and into diaspora communities globally. Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages on earth, a medium for literature, politics and culture across Spain and twenty Latin American nations, as well as an increasingly significant language within the United States.

Studying both, alongside English, gives you access to a remarkable breadth of literary and cultural experience.

At the University of St Andrews, this five-year full-time programme offers Persian in combination with Spanish and English as part of a triple Honours degree, given that St Andrews does not offer Persian as a single Honours programme. You will develop proficiency in Persian and Spanish alongside your engagement with English, building linguistic competence across all three languages while exploring the literary, historical and cultural contexts in which each is produced and received. The five-year structure gives you the time to achieve genuine depth in each language and in the literary and cultural traditions that accompany them.

A typical entry tariff of 200 points reflects the level of academic preparation and linguistic aptitude the programme demands.

Graduates with proficiency in Persian and Spanish are rare and genuinely valued in roles that require engagement with the Middle East, Central Asia, Latin America or the Spanish-speaking world alongside English-language contexts. Careers in diplomacy, international affairs, journalism, translation, academic research, the civil service, international organisations and cultural institutions are all well suited to graduates of this programme. Postgraduate study in Persian studies, Hispanic studies, comparative literature, translation or area studies is a natural next step for those who wish to pursue research or specialist professional roles.