The aim of the “M.A. Iranian Studies” is to familiarise the students with aspects of Iranian languages, cultures, history and religions from antiquity through to the late antique era. Students will acquire a working knowledge of Old and Middle Iranian languages such as Avestan, Old and Middle Persian and also one modern Iranian language (Persian or Kurdish). Students broaden their expertise in the languages and cultures of pre-Islamic Iran and non-Islamic Iranophone religious traditions. They will be trained to do independent research focusing on primary sources as much as possible.