MPhil in Jewish Studies in the Graeco-Roman Period at University of Oxford

The MPhil in Jewish Studies in the Graeco-Roman Period explores Jewish history, religion and culture from 300 BCE to 638 CE, the period of the Second Temple and the Talmud, through a range of primary sources. It equips students to use historiographical and critical methods, with teaching tailored to the small number of students (1-2 places per year).

Faculty: Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (Humanities Division)  |  Department: Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies / Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies  |  Duration: 21 months, full time  |  Intake: 3 October 2027 (2027-28 entry)  |  Study mode: full-time  |  Location: Oxford, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Students take a core course on Jewish literature, history and institutions from 300 BCE to 638 CE, choose three option papers based on prescribed texts, and submit a 30,000-word thesis in the second year. Option areas include Ancient Jewish History and Historiography, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Jewish-Hellenistic Literature, Early Rabbinic Literature (Mishnah, Midrash and Targum) and Jewish Papyrology.

Career pathways

Faculty graduates have found employment in business, finance, law, the civil service, journalism, government and industry, and many progress to research and careers in academia, education and museums.

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