Urdu and Persian Studies
Faculty of Asian Studies, Australian National University
Urdu and Persian are the modern and classical languages of Islamic South Asia.
Urdu has a highly developed and thriving literary tradition and is both the official language of Pakistan and an important language of India. A familiarity with Urdu would be of particular value to those interested in the Islamic heritage of southern Asia. Although in grammar and basic word-stock Urdu and Hindi are identical, in script and literary vocabulary the two languages are quite different. Therefore, instruction in Urdu is primarily concerned with the reading of Urdu literature. Command of Urdu can be deepened through study of Persian, which has made a substantial contribution to the vocabulary and literature of Urdu. Study of Urdu may be combined with courses in Hindi or courses in Persian, the official language of Iran.
Persian language is spoken today primarily in Iran and Afghanistan, with significant populations of speakers in the Gulf States and Central Asian Republics. Historically, Persian has been a more widely understood language in an area ranging from the Mediterranean to India, and is associated with a rich historical and cultural legacy. Persian is offered through the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies, Faculty of Arts, which is a cognate Centre of the Faculty of Asian Studies.
Degree Programs
The South Asia Centre in the Faculty of Asian Studies offers a three-year degree Bachelor of Asian Studies (Urdu and Persian).
The three year degree in Asian Studies may be combined with degrees in arts, commerce, economics, engineering, law, science and visual arts.
Urdu and Persian language courses
The South Asia Centre courses are open to students taking Asian Studies degrees as well as to students enrolled in other Faculties.
| Urdu and Persian language and some South Asia-related courses |
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The Undergraduate Handbook provides a comprehensive list of courses offered by the Faculty of Asian Studies.
Other Asia-related courses
The Centre for Asian Societies and Histories in the Faculty and the Faculty of Arts offer non-language courses in Asian history, religion and society. Courses in Asian politics, economics and law are available in other Faculties.
Graduate programs in Asian Studies
Asian Studies may be undertaken for the Graduate Diploma, Master of Asian Studies, Master of Arts (Asian Studies), the MPhil and PhD.
Graduate programs at the ANU are administered by the Graduate School. Please refer to the Faculty Graduate Programs page for more information about the specialised Graduate Programs in Asian Studies.
Further information
- Detailed information about Faculty of Asian Studies programs, including admission requirements, prerequisites, career possibilities, program requirements, Majors and Specialisations, and degree structure and courses, is published in the ANU online handbook, which also provides authoritative information concerning the programs and courses available in any particular year.
- You are encouraged to seek specific guidance on these matters from the Sub-Dean of the Faculty. Please email Enquiries.AsianStudies@anu.edu.au or phone 6125 0515 to arrange an appointment.