MSt in Jewish Studies: Admission

English Language Requirements

English is the language of instruction. Examination papers, essays and dissertations are written in English. Applicants whose mother tongue is not English must, therefore, show a high level of English-language proficiency. A score of 7.5 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test is a normal requirement for admission, and individual scores of at least 7.0 must be achieved in reading and 7.5 in writing. The TOEFL test is not accepted. IELTS tests may be organised by arrangement with local British Council, IDP or UCLES offices. The cost of the IELTS test is to be borne by the applicant. A list of IELTS test centres may be found at www.ielts.org or on the British Council website.

Choice of College/College Membership

Each MSt in Jewish Studies student is matriculated through an Oxford College. The Oxford Colleges which currently matriculate MSt in Jewish Studies students are: Christ Church, Exeter, Mansfield, Oriel, Pembroke, Queens, St. Catherine's, St. Peter's, St. Hilda’s, St. Cross and Worcester. This list is subject to modification. Please select your college preference from this list only. Students are not eligible to apply for accommodation from any of the Colleges offering matriculation.

Scholarships

The fee for the 2010-2011 MSt in Jewish Studies includes tuition and accommodation (cooking facilities, but not meals, are provided) on the Yarnton Manor estate and college affiliation. A limited number of scholarships are available each year to students accepted for the MSt degree. Scholarships cover tuition fees, college affiliation, and accommodation costs, and are awarded competitively on academic merit at the discretion of the Centre’s Admissions Committee. Applicants are requested to provide a scholarship application statement using the appropriate form. These scholarships are not transferable. Applicants should be aware that a scholarship may be withdrawn at any point during the year if the recipient’s academic performance is considered unsatisfactory. The application for a scholarship should be sent to the Registrar at the Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies and not to the University of Oxford’s Graduate Admissions Office. Applicants are strongly advised to take out their own medical insurance. In addition, students must budget for their own maintenance and travelling expenses.

"The MSt in Jewish Studies has been a great way to fill in many of the gaps I have had in my understanding of Judaism and Jewish history. The fact that the program is by definition interdisciplinary-includes courses in history, literature, language, and textual analysis-means that you can apply skills and knowledge from one course to a very different situation and start to see connections that you hadn't noticed before. In addition, you can examine one question or problem from multiple perspectives. In this way the course is a solid foundation in Jewish Studies for people coming from various backgrounds with various goals."

David Adler, Student 2002-2003

"This nine-month course offers a chance to study Judaism at many different stages in its history - from its roots as the religion of the Israelites to the 20th century - as well as the opportunity to develop a language important to the knowledge, understanding, practice and interpretation of the Jewish faith (or learn a language from scratch, as I have done). The plethora of choice on the taught courses ensures that students can begin or further and expand their studies in any area which interests them, whatever their experience or background in the subject. The course is a springboard to a variety of future careers: many students choose to build on what they have studied at PhD level; some, like me, use the course to further their learning prior to undertaking formal teacher training. Whether your interest in the subject is personal or academic, the MSt at Oxford offers a challenging and wide-ranging course of study."

Sarah Webber, Student 2002-2003

Apply online or request / download application material from the University of Oxford website

Guide for 2010-2011 Applicants

Application form for Graduate Study 2010-2011

Scholarship Application form 2010-2011

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