MSt in Jewish Studies at University of Oxford

Programme overview

The MSt in Jewish Studies offers a broad and intensive approach to the study of Jewish history and culture from antiquity to modern times, combined with study of Modern or Biblical Hebrew or Yiddish. It teaches the methods, sources and languages needed for more specialised research within Jewish Studies.

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: 9 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 three terms of study in one language (Modern Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew or Yiddish) and either follow a dissertation track (two option courses plus a dissertation of up to 15,000 words) or a non-dissertation track (four option courses). Options might include Modern Jewish History, Holocaust: From History to Memory, Introduction to Rabbinic Texts, Septuagint and Related Studies and The Religion of Israel.

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.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in any subject (minimum GPA 3.5/4.0 for US degrees); previous knowledge of Jewish studies is not required, but evidence of the ability to learn a foreign language from scratch is desirable. No GRE/GMAT. Three referees (academic preferred), transcripts, statement of purpose (max 1,500 words) and two essays of up to 2,000 words each. Interviews not normally held. English language (University higher level): IELTS Academic 7.5 overall with at least 7.0 in each component; TOEFL iBT 110 (minimum Listening 22, Reading 24, Speaking 25, Writing 24); C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency 191 overall and 185 per component; Oxford Test of English Advanced 165 overall and 155 per component. Tests must be taken within two years of the start date. Application deadline: 12:00 UK time, 5 January 2027 (final deadline for Oxford scholarships consideration 2 March 2027; 2027-28 entry).

Domestic applicants: GBP 26,280 a year (2027/28). Home fee, annual course fee Source

International applicants: GBP 46,350 a year (2027/28). Overseas fee, annual course fee Source

Intake: 3 October 2027

Duration: 9 months full-time

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