MA Modern Languages (German and Persian) and English
About this course
Combining two modern languages with the study of English literature creates a degree of unusual intellectual reach: three major literary traditions, three linguistic frameworks, and a training in the kind of comparative cultural understanding that is increasingly sought in a connected world. German opens the door to one of the great intellectual and literary traditions of Europe, encompassing philosophy, fiction, drama and poetry from Goethe and Schiller to contemporary German writing. Persian gives access to one of the world's oldest literary traditions, rich in poetry, narrative and philosophy from Hafez and Rumi to modern Iranian and Afghan literature. English literature meanwhile brings its own vast tradition, from early modern drama and poetry to the contemporary novel and critical theory. At the University of St Andrews, this four-year full-time degree develops your competence in German and Persian to an advanced level alongside serious engagement with English literature and critical thinking. You will study language, literature and culture in all three traditions, building the ability to read, analyse and write across linguistic and cultural boundaries. St Andrews offers a wide range of course options within the German strand, allowing you to explore the cultural heritage of the German-speaking world in ways that reflect your own interests. A year abroad is built into the programme, giving you the chance to deepen your language skills and cultural immersion in a live setting. Typical entry is around 200 UCAS tariff points. Graduates from this trilingual and literary combination go on to careers in diplomacy, translation and interpreting, international organisations, journalism, publishing, academic research, the arts, cultural institutions and the civil service. The combination of German and Persian expertise is particularly unusual and valuable in contexts concerned with European and Middle Eastern affairs. Further study in modern languages, comparative literature, translation or area studies is a natural route for those who wish to develop specialist expertise.
Syllabus & Modules
Typical curriculumStudent Satisfaction
National Student Survey - 85 respondents (58% response rate)
Similarly Ranked Alternatives
What comes next? 🎓
Choosing the right university starts with choosing the right school. Explore transparent, data-driven school profiles powered by official DfE statistics.
Explore Schools on WhatSchool.ai →