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Degrees of Master of Philosophy in the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

  • 1. The Board of the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies shall be responsible for the Examination for the following degrees of Master of Philosophy:

    • (i) Cuneiform Studies.

    • (ii) Egyptology.

    • (iii) Modern Middle Eastern Studies.

    • (iv) Classical Indian Religion.

    • (v) Jewish Studies.

    • (vi) Jewish Studies in the Graeco-Roman Period.

    • (vii) Islamic Art and Architecture.

    • (viii) Ottoman Turkish Studies.

    • (ix) Islamic Studies and History.

    • (x) Tibetan and Himalayan Studies.
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    • (xi) Traditional East Asia: Classical, Medieval, and Early-Modern.
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    • (xii) Buddhist Studies.
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    • (xiii) Eastern Christian Studies.

  • 2. Candidates for award (i) must satisfy the Board of Examiners by the time of their Qualifying Examination that they possess a working knowledge of French and German; candidates for award (ii) must satisfy the Board of Examiners by the time of their Qualifying Examination that they possess a working knowledge of French and German, and candidates who wish to offer Greek papyrology must possess a fluent knowledge of Greek; and for award (v) candidates should possess a working knowledge of either Hebrew or Yiddish. For award (vi), candidates must satisfy the Board of the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies before admission to the course that they possess a working knowledge of Hebrew. For award (viii) and the Turkish option in award (ix) candidates should possess a sound reading knowledge of Modern Turkish or Arabic or Persian. For award (xi) candidates should possess a good proficiency (normally at least two years’ study or equivalent) in modern Chinese, Japanese, or Korean.

    3. A candidate who fails any part or parts of the Qualifying Examination may retake such part or parts during the Long Vacation prior to the second year of the course.

  • 4. A candidate who fails any part or parts of the Final Examination may retake such part or parts on one occasion usually within one year of the original failure. 

  • 5. Assessed essays and take-home papers must be submitted electronically by the date and time specified in the course handbook.

  • 6. Every candidate must offer a thesis on a subject approved by the board (or by a person or persons to whom it may delegate the power of giving such approval), which is expected to fall within the scope of the award offered by the candidate in the Examination. An electronic copy of the thesis must be submitted via the University approved online assessment platform, by the submission deadline given in the course handbook.

  • Successful candidates will be required to deposit one copy of the thesis in the Bodleian. Work submitted for the degree of M.Phil. may subsequently be incorporated in a thesis submitted for the degree of D.Phil.

  • 7. Candidates may be required to attend a viva voce, except where stated otherwise in the regulations for individual awards below.

  • 8. Teaching for some options may not be available in every year.

Awards

  • (i) Cuneiform Studies

  • A. Qualifying Examination

    Each candidate will be required, unless exempted by the Board of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, to pass a Qualifying Examination, in the form of a written examination, in Akkadian Texts and Akkadian Grammar and Unprepared Translation not later than the end of Trinity term of the first year.

  • B. Final Examination

  • Each candidate will be required to take the following papers at the end of the Trinity term of their final year:

    • 1. Prepared translations of Sumerian texts and related essay questions (1 paper)

    • 2. Prepared translations of Akkadian texts and related essay questions (1 paper)

    • 3. Unprepared translations of Akkadian (1 paper)

    • 4. History and Civilization of Ancient Mesopotamia (1 paper)

      Candidates are required to submit two essays, each of not more than 2,500 words in length, which display knowledge of more than just a narrow range of the topic.

    • 5. The Cuneiform World in Context and Ancient Near Eastern Inscribed Artefacts;

      (a) The Cuneiform World in Context (one half paper)

      (b) Ancient Near Eastern Inscribed Artefacts (one half paper)

    • Assessments 1, 2, 3 ,5 will be written examinations; 4 will be essay submissions. 

  • C. Thesis

    Each candidate will be required to submit a thesis of not more than 25,000 words on a subject approved by the Subject Group Board. The thesis needs to include a substantial cuneiform-related element.

  • (ii) Egyptology

    This award covers topics relating to dynastic, Graeco-Roman, and Christian Egypt.

  • A. Qualifying Examination

    Each candidate will be required, unless exempted by the Board of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, to pass a Qualifying Examination in Egyptian and/or Coptic, in the form of a written examination, not later than the end of the Trinity term of the first year. Candidates taking options relating to the Graeco-Roman period may be required to pass a Qualifying Examination in Greek.

  • B. Final Examination

  • 1. Syllabus A: A candidate who has a first degree in Egyptology or equivalent qualification must complete Section I, three papers from Section II, and a thesis of not more than 25,000 words on a subject to be approved by the Subject Group Board.

  • 2. Syllabus B: All other candidates must complete Section I, two papers from Section II, Section III, and a thesis of not more than 25,000 words on a subject to be approved by the Subject Group Board.

  • Section I

    Candidates must take the following papers:

    • (i) A general paper on Egyptology.

      (ii) Unprepared translation from Egyptian texts.

  • Section II

  • A special field selected from a list published in the course handbook of which one will be on an appropriate category of primary source material.

  • Some special fields may not be available every year.

  • Candidates for Syllabus A will be examined by methods (i), (ii), and (iii). 

  • Candidates for Syllabus B will be examined by methods (i) and (ii).

  • The examination methods are as follows:

    • (i)  Take-home paper. One paper in the special field will be set as a take-home paper. The completed paper should not exceed 5,000 words in length.

      If candidates for a different degree are taking the same subject and are to be examined by a written examination, M.Phil. candidates may instead take that examination. Applications to take the three-hour examination should be submitted to the Faculty Board by Friday of the first week in Michaelmas Term of the second year.

      (ii) Assessed essays. For a second topic in the special field, candidates will be required to submit two essays of not more than 5,000 words each, which between them display command of more than a narrow range of the topic. 

      (iii) Examination paper (Syllabus A only). One written examination on an area within the special field.  

  • Section III

    Prescribed texts in Middle Egyptian and one other phase of Egyptian (either Old Egyptian, Late Egyptian, Demotic or Coptic) (one paper). 

  • (iii) Modern Middle Eastern Studies

  • A. Qualifying Examination

  • Every candidate must pass a Qualifying Examination by the end of the first year. A candidate with an intermediate level of proficiency (the equivalent of 2-3 years of study) in Arabic, Persian or Turkish may offer respectively Advanced Arabic, Advanced Persian or Advanced Turkish. A candidate with native fluency or who has satisfied the examiners in the Second Public Examination in Arabic or Persian or Turkish or Hebrew, or has passed a similar examination in another university, must offer a different language for examination. The examination will consist of two papers:

    • (i) A written language examination in Arabic, Persian, Hebrew or Turkish at a suitable level, (subject to the availability of teaching), based on grammar knowledge and reading comprehension.

    • (ii) A qualitative research methods take-home paper in Modern Middle Eastern Studies.

  • B. Final Examination

  • All candidates must complete:

    • (a) one written language examination in either Arabic, Hebrew, Persian or Turkish at the appropriate level (subject to the availability of teaching);

    • (b) a thesis of not more than 30,000 words on a subject to be approved by the Subject Group Board;

    • (c) three written examinations from a list of options published in the course handbook. 

  • (iv) Classical Indian Religion

    A. Qualifying Examination

    Each candidate will be required, unless exempted by the Board of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, to pass a Qualifying Examination, in the form of a written examination, in Sanskrit not later than the end of the Trinity term of the first year of the course.

    B. Final Examination

    The Final Examination shall consist of the following three papers (1-3):

    • (1) Unprepared translation from epic and commentarial Sanskrit and Translation from the set books in two of the sections.

    • (2) History of Indian Religions I

    • (3) History of Indian Religions II

      In Papers (2) and (3), each of which is assessed by examination, candidates will be expected to show background knowledge of relevant social and political history. Emphasis will be laid on the study of primary sources, which may, however, be read in translation.

    • (4) A thesis of 25,000 words on a subject approved by the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies Faculty Board. 

  • (v) Jewish Studies

  • A. Qualifying Examination
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  • Candidates must pass a Qualifying Examination in Biblical Hebrew or Modern Hebrew or Yiddish not later than the end of the Trinity term of the first year of the course unless exempted by the Board of the Faculty Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. The examination will consist of a written language examination in Biblical Hebrew or Modern Hebrew or Yiddish based on grammar knowledge and reading comprehension. Candidates, who will submit a take-home paper in their first year of the course to partially fulfil the requirements of (b) in the Final Examination, must enter for this paper in their first year.
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  • B. Final Examination
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  • All candidates must complete:
    • (a)  one written language examination in Biblical Hebrew or Modern Hebrew or Yiddish based on grammar knowledge, reading comprehension, and translation into English.
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    • (b) Four papers from a list published in the course handbook, to be examined either by written examination in Trinity term of the second year of the course or by take-home paper, as set out in the course handbook. 
    •  
    • For papers to be examined by take-home paper, this will consist of the electronic submission of two essays of not more than 2,500 words each. When a paper assessed by take-home paper is taught in the first year of the course, candidates must enter for the paper in the first year. Candidates proposing to complete a paper not included in the list must obtain the permission of the Board of the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. 
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  • C. Thesis
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  • A candidate shall submit a thesis of not more than 30,000 words on a topic selected in consultation with their supervisor and approved by the Faculty Board. 

  • (vi) Jewish Studies in the Graeco-Roman Period

    A. Qualifying Examination

    Candidates must pass a Qualifying Examination, in the form of a written examination, in Jewish Studies not later than the end of the Trinity term of the first year unless exempted by the Board of the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.

    B. Final Examination

  • Every candidate shall submit a thesis of not more than 30,000 words and complete four written examinations. The written examinations shall consist of one paper on Jewish literature, history, and institution from 200 BC to AD425 and three further papers from a list published in the course handbook.

  • (vii) Islamic Art and Architecture

  • A. Qualifying Examination

    Every candidate will be required to satisfy the examiners in a Qualifying Examination not later than the end of the Trinity term of the first year. The examination will include:

    • (a) a written examination: History of Islamic Art and Architecture, c.550-c.1900.

    • (b) a written language examination in Arabic, Persian, Turkish, or another language approved by the Faculty Board.

  • B. Final Examination

  • 1. All candidates must complete:

    • (a) A paper on Approaches to Islamic Art and Architecture to be selected by the candidate in consultation with the candidate’s supervisor. This paper will be examined by an extended essay of between 5,000 and 6,000 words. 

    • (b) A written language examination in Arabic or Persian or Turkish or another language approved by the Faculty Board.

    • (c) Prepared Texts in Arabic or Persian or Turkish or another language approved by the Faculty Board. This is a written examination paper.

    • (d) A portfolio, containing reports on the practical work completed during the course (according to the schedule given in the Course Handbook).

      (e) A thesis of not more than 30,000 words on a subject to be approved by the Faculty Board.

  • 2. Candidates must submit the extended essay in (a) above not later than noon on the Monday of 0th week of Michaelmas term of the second year.
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  • 3. Candidates must submit the portfolio in (d) above not later than 12 noon on Monday of second week of Trinity term of the second year.
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  • 4. Candidates must submit the thesis in (e) above not later than 12 noon on Thursday of sixth week of Trinity term of the second year. 

  • (viii) Ottoman Turkish Studies

    A. Qualifying Examination

    Every candidate will be required, unless exempted by the Board of the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, to pass a Qualifying Examination, in the form of a written examination, in Ottoman Turkish not later than the end of the Trinity term of the first year.

    B. Final Examination

    Every candidate will be required to complete the following four written examinations and a thesis of not more than 30,000 words. 

    • (1) Essay questions on Ottoman history and institutions, 1453-1699.

    • (2) Ottoman historical texts. 

    • (3) Ottoman texts in modern transcription and post-1928 Ottomanising texts.

    • (4) Ottoman documents.

  • (ix) Islamic Studies and History

    A. Qualifying Examination

    Each candidate will be required, unless exempted by the Board of the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, to pass a Qualifying Examination, in the form of a written examination, in Arabic or Persian or Turkish or Ottoman Turkish or any other language approved by the Faculty Board not later than the end of the Trinity term of the first year. The content of the examination shall be of such nature as to satisfy the board that the candidate is capable of using pre-modern texts in the respective language.

  • B. Final Examination

  • The Final Examination shall consist of the following five papers (1-5).

    • (1) A written language examination in Arabic, or Persian, or Turkish or Ottoman Turkish, or any other language approved by the Faculty Board. This written examination will take place at the end of Trinity term of the second year.

    • (2) Islamic Studies and History: Candidates are required to submit a paper consisting of two essays of not more than 2,500 words in length (excluding bibliography but including footnotes). The question paper will be published by the examiners by Monday of noughth week of Michaelmas Term of the second year. The paper must be submitted by 12 noon on Monday of the following week. 

    • (3) and (4) Two option papers which will be examined either as a written examination paper at the end of Trinity term or by means of a take-home research paper of up to 5,000 words.  A list of options and how they will be assessed will be available in the course handbook. All candidates must obtain the approval of the course coordinator for the papers they wish to take.

      The assessment for at least one of these option papers requires the student to demonstrate the ability to use Arabic, Persian, or Turkish primary sources.

      (5) A thesis of 25,000 words on a subject approved by the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies Faculty Board.

  • (x) Tibetan and Himalayan Studies

  • A. Qualifying Examination

    Candidates must pass a Qualifying Examination in Tibetan at the end of the Trinity term of the first year. This will consist of a written and an oral examination.

  • B. Final Examination

  • All candidates will be required to complete four written examination papers at the end of Trinity term of the second year, an extended essay of 5,000 words, and a thesis of not more than 25,000 words.

    • 1. The four written examination papers will be:

      • (i) Language and grammar

        (ii) Modern Tibetan prepared translation

        (iii) Classical Tibetan prepared translation

        (iv) History and civilisation of Tibet and the Himalayas. Topics covered will include the history, politics, religion, and anthropology of the region.

    • 2. Candidates are required to submit one essay of no more than 5,000 words on aspects of the history and civilisation of Tibet and the Himalayas. The essay must be submitted by 12 noon on the Friday of Week 0 of the term following that in which formal teaching for this paper is completed. When the paper is taught in the first year of the course, candidates must enter for the paper in the first year.

      3. Candidates must submit a thesis of not more than 25,000 words on a topic selected by the candidate in consultation with their supervisor and approved by the Faculty Board.

  • (xi) Traditional East Asia: Classical, Medieval, and Early Modern

  • A. Qualifying Examination

    Every candidate will be required, unless exempted by the Board of the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, to pass a Qualifying Examination not later than the end of Trinity term of the first year. All candidates must complete: 

    • 1. A language examination in modern Chinese or modern Japanese or modern Korean.

    • 2. A language examination in classical Chinese or classical Japanese or middle Korean.

    • 3. Three essays on traditional East Asia of not more than 2,500 words each, one to be written in each of the three terms of the first year. Each essay must be submitted by 12 noon on the Friday of ninth week of the term in which the paper is taught. 

  • B. Final Examination

    All candidates must complete:

    • 1. Prescribed texts in one of the following: (i) Classical Chinese; (ii) Classical Japanese; (iii) Middle Korean; (iv) Classical Chinese and Classical Japanese; (v) Classical Chinese and Middle Korean; (vi) Middle Korean and Classical Japanese. This is a written examination paper.

    • 2. Research Bibliography and Methodology on one of the following: (i) China; (ii) Japan; (iii) Korea. This paper will be set as a take-home examination. The question paper will be published to candidates at 12 noon on Tuesday of ninth week of Trinity term of the second year. The completed examination must be submitted electronically no later than 12 noon on Friday of that same week. 

    • 3. Thesis. Candidates must submit a thesis of not more than 30,000 words on a subject selected by the candidate in consultation with their supervisor and approved by the Board of the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.

    • 4. The examiners will examine every candidate by viva voce unless excused.

  • (xii) Buddhist Studies

  • A. Qualifying examination

    Each candidate must pass a Qualifying Examination not later than the end of the Trinity term of the first year. The examination will consist of two papers:

    • (i) A written examination in the chosen primary Buddhist Language selected from a list published in the course handbook.

    • (ii) A written examination on basic aspects of Buddhist thought and history.

  • B. Final Examination

    All candidates must complete:

    • (i) an advanced language paper consisting of a translation from seen and unseen texts in the chosen primary Buddhist Language, to be assessed by a written examination.

    • (ii) a thesis of not more than 20,000 words on a subject approved by the Board.

    • (iii) a paper on Approaches to the study of Buddhism, to be assessed by written examination.

    • (iv) Either

      • (a) a language paper in a second primary Buddhist language selected from a list published in the course handbook, to be assessed by examination. The second primary Buddhist language can be studied either at a basic or at an advanced level. The former will be assessed by a written examination in the chosen second primary Buddhist language (as for paper (ii) of the Qualifying Examination); the latter by a translation from seen and unseen texts in the chosen second primary Buddhist language, to be assessed by a written examination (as for paper (i) of the Final Examination). Students who intend to study a second primary Buddhist language at an advanced level must satisfy the Faculty Board that they possess an adequate knowledge of the chosen language.

    • Or

      • (b) A paper chosen from a list published in the course handbook, assessed as specified by the course instructor. 

    (xiii) Eastern Christian Studies

  • There will be no qualifying examination at the end of the first year for the award of MPhil in Eastern Christian Studies.

    Every candidate shall be required to complete:

  • (1) A general written examination on the development of doctrine and the history of the Church in the Christian East to AD717.  

    (2), (3), (4) Three written examinations on one of the following options:  

    • A. Greek 

      • (i) The philosophical background of the Greek Fathers.

      • (ii) The history of the Church in the Byzantine Empire, AD 717- 886.

      • (iii) Byzantine ecclesiastical texts.

      B. Armenian with Greek

      • (i) Armenian historical texts.

      • (ii) Armenian theological and ecclesiastical texts.

      • (iii) A translation paper from Greek ecclesiastical texts.

C. Syriac with Greek

(i) Syriac historical texts. 

(ii) Syriac theological texts. 

(iii) as Paper B (iii) above.  

Candidates with sufficient knowledge of Greek may offer Paper A (i) in place of Paper B (iii)/C (iii). Except in the case of Papers A (i) and B (iii)/C (iii), and subject to the approval of the Faculty Board, a candidate may offer texts — or, in the case of Paper A (ii), a period of Greek church history — other than those specified in the regulations.

(5) a thesis of not more than 30,000 words on a subject approved by the Faculty Board. 

(6) a viva voce examination, unless individually dispensed by the examiners.