Persian is one of the major languages of the Middle East and Central Asia. Its local variants are Dari (Afghanistan) and Tajik (Tajikistan). Collectively, these are the first language of over 120 million people. This ranks Persian among the world's 20 most widely spoken native languages.

To study Persian is to enter into a rich and diverse culture that has produced major epic and Sufi poets, exquisite miniature painting, fine textiles and world-class cinema. It is also a gateway to modern Iran, a dynamic society at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.

Social anthropology is the comparative study of human behaviour and ideas in their social, cultural, religious, and political contexts. While the subject matter overlaps with that of sociology, human geography, and development studies, it is also closely linked to history and philosophy.

At Edinburgh, students will have the opportunity to learn from researchers who are international leaders in their field, and will also engage in original anthropological research, which may be library based or involve fieldwork.