MPhil in Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World

About the course

This degree is offered jointly by the Faculty of Theology and Religion and the Faculty of Oriental Studies. The course is ideal for students wishing to learn more about the origins of Christianity by coming to grips with the complex evidence for the state of Judaism in the Graeco-Roman World in the first century.

An emphasis is placed on the detailed study of primary evidence for both Judaism and Christianity in the first and early second centuries CE. You will therefore require a good existing knowledge of both Hebrew and Greek.

The structure and content of the course ensures that you have the opportunity to pay equal attention to the history and primary texts of both religious traditions. The following two core modules examine the literature, history, and institutions of each tradition.

• Judaism from 200 BCE to 200 CE
• Christianity to 200 CE

Assessment

Assessment consists of.

• two written exams on the literature, history, and institutions of Judaism or Christianity;
• two further written exams consisting of essay questions and passages for translation and comment from set texts relating to your chosen themes in both Judaism and Christianity;
• a 20,000-word dissertation on a topic in Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World; and
• an oral examination (viva voce) on your dissertation topic and wider knowledge of Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World, unless individually dispensed by the examiners.

Graduate destinations

Given the selective admission and consequent small numbers of students on this course, it is difficult to offer general statistics about graduate destinations as each case is distinctive.

The great majority of graduates of the MPhil in Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World go on to pursue doctoral research at Oxford or another leading university, in either Jewish studies, New Testament or early Christianity. A few recent graduates have pursued careers in fields including academic administration and teaching, eg secondary school or English as a Foreign Language.

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the equivalent of the following UK qualifications: a first-class or strong upper second-class (67% or above) undergraduate degree with honours in theology, religious studies or another closely-related field. Entrance is very competitive. For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.8 out of 4.0.