Program Overview

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MSt in Jewish Studies in the Graeco-Roman Period

The MSt in Jewish Studies in the Graeco-Roman Period is a full-time course that aims to provide students with a good general knowledge of Jewish history, religion, and culture in the period from 300 BCE to 200 CE.

About the Course

This course will introduce students to the range of primary sources for Jewish history in this period and equip them with the understanding and ability to use a range of historiographical and critical methods in the treatment of such primary sources. The course consists of instruction in the history and institutions of the Jews and in three specialized areas of Jewish studies, which involve close study of particular types of primary texts.

Course Structure

Teaching for the compulsory core course is covered by a combination of lectures, seminars, and tutorials covering the principal sources of the period of the Second Temple and early rabbinic Judaism. The classes provide instruction in the translation and interpretation of most but not necessarily all of the set texts, which students are required to study for their specialized papers. General questions about these texts are discussed in tutorials, which normally consist of one-to-one discussion with a tutor of the student's written work.

Attendance

The course is full-time and requires attendance in Oxford. Full-time students are subject to the University's Residence requirements. Students can expect to be engaged in academic work for at least thirty-five hours a week during the full term and to be expected to carry out a considerable amount of work during the vacations.

Resources to Support Study

As a graduate student, students 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, and it includes the main Bodleian Library and libraries across Oxford, including major research libraries and faculty, department, and institute libraries.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances, a supervisor may be found outside the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. Students normally have the opportunity to meet with their supervisor every fortnight, and more frequently if required and agreed upon with the supervisor.

Assessment

Each of the four papers will be assessed through two written essays of 3,000 words. One paper will be on Jewish history and institutions from 300 BCE to 200 CE, and the other three papers will be chosen from a list provided in the course handbook. A list of essay questions will be made available at the end of the term in which the paper is taught, and students' written essays must be submitted before the start of the following term.

Graduate Destinations

Asian and Middle Eastern studies graduates have found employment in many diverse fields, including business, finance, law, civil service, journalism, government, and industry. Many graduates have also undertaken further research into subjects linked with Asian and Middle Eastern studies and have pursued successful careers in the academic world, education, and in museums.

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 in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration.

Course Components

Compulsory Study

Students will take the core course on Jewish history and institutions from 300 BCE to 200 CE.

Options

The other three papers involve the study of prescribed texts in the following subject areas that are usually offered:

• Ancient Jewish History and Historiography
• The Dead Sea Scrolls
• Jewish-Hellenistic Literature
• Early Rabbinic Literature (Mishnah, Midrash, and Targum)
• Jewish Papyrology

Other text-based papers may sometimes be available, such as the Septuagint, the Ancient Jewish Diaspora, or any other subject approved by the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.

Entry Requirements

Proven and Potential Academic Excellence

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown.

• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in any subject.
• Previous knowledge of Jewish studies is not a requirement for admission.
• For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum overall GPA that is normally required to meet the undergraduate-level requirement is 3.5 out of 4.0.

Degree-Level Qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in any subject.

GRE General Test Scores

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

Other Qualifications, Evidence of Excellence, and Relevant Experience

• Applicants need to have sufficient knowledge of Hebrew to profit from the course. Some options in the course can only be chosen by students with prior knowledge of Greek.
• Publications are not required.

English Language Proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's higher level. If the first language is not English, students may need to provide evidence that they meet this requirement.

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.

Annual Course Fees

The fees for this course are charged on an annual basis.

• Home: Ł24,800
• Overseas: Ł43,730

What Do Course Fees Cover?

Course fees cover teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover accommodation, residential costs, or other living costs.

College Preference

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. The following colleges accept students on the MSt in Jewish Studies in the Graeco-Roman Period:

• Balliol College
• Blackfriars
• Campion Hall
• Corpus Christi College
• Linacre College
• Lincoln College
• Mansfield College
• Pembroke College
• Regent's Park College
• St Cross College
• Wadham College
• Wolfson College
• Wycliffe Hall

How to Apply

Our guide to getting started provides general advice on how to prepare for and start an application, including advice to help evaluate whether the application is likely to be competitive.

Application Fee Waivers

An application fee of Ł75 is payable for each application to this course. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:

• applicants from low-income countries
• refugees and displaced persons
• UK applicants from low-income backgrounds
• applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria

Completing the Application

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents.

Referees

Three overall, academic preferred. Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete.

Official Transcript(s)

Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution, and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.

Statement of Purpose

A maximum of 1,500 words. Your statement should be written in English and explain your motivation for applying for the course at Oxford, your relevant experience and education, and the specific areas that interest you and/or you intend to specialize in.

Written Work

Two essays of a maximum of 2,000 words each. Academic essays or other writing samples from your most recent qualification, written in English, are required. Extracts of the requisite length from longer work are also permissible.

After You've Submitted Your Application

Your application (including the supporting documents outlined above) will be assessed against the entry requirements detailed on this course page. Whether or not you have secured funding will be taken into consideration when your application is assessed.