Education in arts and sciences was often directed by religious institutions in the Middle Ages.  Mosques, maktabs (elementary religious schools) and madrasas (secondary religious schools) were essential in the education of children in the medieval Caliphate, and monasteries fulfilled a similar role in Tibet after the arrival of Buddhism in the 7^th century.

Christian communities existed in the Persian Empire from the second century onwards, and although a small minority group, they became nonetheless highly structured. Although persecuted by the Persian Emperor, especially in the later third century, great numbers of Christian buildings were constructed at this time and the religion grew increasingly popular.  Moreover, Indian religions were also evolving in this period, as Buddhism and Hinduism both spread to the west, with the most significant cults being Brahmanism and the worship of Shiva.

One of the principal religions of the Sassanid Empire was Zoroastrianism, a religion that emerged from the third century onwards under royal patronage and protection. Central to the religion was the cult of fire; Zoroastrians worshiped in fire temples throughout Persia, although different practices were popular elsewhere. Its rival religion in Persia was Manichaeism, a major gnostic cult founded by Mani, (who was executed by the emperor in 276 AD,) and Christianity and Buddhism also had a small following in Persia in this period.

Zoroastrianism was a widespread religious cult in Bactria in the second century BC, in addition to continued adherence to ancient Greek religions and culture. Furthermore, the Saka and Kushan tribes arrived in this region with their own distinctive religions and divinities, and the conquest of India by the Kushan ruler, Vima Kadphises, introduced new religious influences, most notably Buddhism and the cult of Shiva.

SOAS, the School of Oriental and African Studies (University of London) is dedicated to the study of the languages, cultures and societies of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and is the only Higher Education institution in Europe with this academic specialisation. It also has the largest concentration in Europe of academic staff concerned with Africa, Asia and the Middle East.