Program Overview

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MSt in Study of Religions

The MSt in Study of Religions is a full-time, nine-month course that offers an intensive training in research in the study of religions. It enables students to study two major religions and explore the nature of religion itself at an advanced level.

About the Course

This course provides an opportunity for students to develop their particular interests in conversation with their tutors through the Oxford tutorial system. The course structure includes a core course with two elements, and students will select two religions to focus on from the five religious traditions currently covered by the faculty.

Course Structure

• The course is full-time and requires attendance in Oxford.
• Full-time students are subject to the University's Residence requirements.
• The course includes a fortnightly Inter-disciplinary Graduate Research Seminar on the Study of Religions.

Resources to Support Study

• As a graduate student, you will have access to the University's wide range of resources, including libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources, and IT services.
• The Bodleian Libraries is the largest library system in the UK, with over 13 million printed items and access to e-journals.
• The University's IT Services is available to support core university IT systems and tools.

Supervision

• The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Faculty of Theology and Religion.
• Under exceptional circumstances, a supervisor may be found outside the Faculty of Theology and Religion.

Assessment

• You will take an exam on the core course in the final month of the course duration.
• Your two chosen religions will be examined by two papers, one consisting of two essays and the other a dissertation.
• The choice of essay and dissertation topics will be decided by you, subject to advice from your supervisor and final approval.

Graduate Destinations

• Students who leave the University of Oxford with graduate degrees in theology and religion enter a variety of careers worldwide.
• Many proceed to further study, while others secure employment in fields such as law, education, and non-governmental organizations.

Changes to the Course

• The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page.
• However, there may be situations where changes are necessary, such as due to a pandemic or local health emergency.

Course Components

Compulsory Study

• Two-part core course:
  • Theories and Methods in the Study of Religion
  • Themes in the Interaction between Religions

Options

• You will select two religions to focus on from the following five religious traditions:
  • Buddhism
  • Christianity
  • Hinduism
  • Islam
  • Judaism

Entry Requirements

Proven and Potential Academic Excellence

• A first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honors in theology, religious studies, or a related field.
• For applicants with a bachelor's degree from the USA, a minimum overall GPA of 3.6 out of 4.0 is normally required.

Degree-Level Qualifications

• The minimum qualifications required for entry are specified, including GPA scores for applicants from the USA.

GRE General Test Scores

• Other examination results may be submitted alongside degree qualifications.
• The minimum Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores normally sought are 160 in verbal reasoning, 5.0 in analytical writing, and 150 in quantitative reasoning.

English Language Proficiency

• This course requires proficiency in English at the University's higher level.
• The minimum scores required to meet the University's higher level are detailed for various English language tests.

References

• You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course.

Supporting Documents

• You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application, including transcripts and written work.

Funding

• For entry in the academic year, the collegiate University expects to offer over 1,100 full or partial graduate scholarships across a wide range of graduate courses.
• Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential.

Costs

Annual Course Fees

• The fees for this course are charged on an annual basis.
• The annual course fees for the academic year are Ł17,910 for Home students and Ł43,730 for Overseas students.

Additional Costs

• There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees and living costs.
• However, students may need to choose a dissertation, project, or thesis topic that may incur additional expenses.

Living Costs

• In addition to course fees, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.
• The range of likely living costs for a single, full-time student is between Ł1,405 and Ł2,105 for each month spent in Oxford.

College Preference

• Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college.
• You can express a preference for one of the colleges listed or ask the University to find a college for you.

How to Apply

Before You Apply

• Our guide to getting started provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application.

Application Fee Waivers

• An application fee of Ł75 is payable for each application to this course.
• Application fee waivers are available for applicants from low-income countries, refugees, and displaced persons.

Completing Your Application

• You should refer to the information on the course page when completing the application form.
• The application form will include questions that collect information that would usually be included in a CV/résumé.

Referees

• You must register three referees, and the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline.

Official Transcript(s)

• Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date.

Statement of Purpose

• A statement of purpose, written in English, is required, explaining your motivation and suitability for graduate study at Oxford.

Written Work

• Academic essays or other writing samples from your most recent qualification, written in English, are required.

After You've Submitted Your Application

• Your application will be assessed against the entry requirements detailed on this course page.
• You can find out more about the shortlisting and selection process in our detailed guide to what happens next.