Oriental Studies

University of Oxford

Bachelor's degree

In Oxford

Price on request

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Description

  • Type

    Bachelor's degree

  • Location

    Oxford

UCAS code See course options Duration
3 or 4 years (BA)
(see Structure tab)
Entrance requirements AAA Subject requirements A language
Admissions test(s)
ox.ac.uk/olat
(for certain options)
Written work Two pieces
Admissions statistics*
Interviewed: 78%
Successful: 23%
Intake: 41
*3-year average 2017-19
Contact
+44 (0) 1865 278312
Email Oriental Studies
Subject requirements: Essential Recommended Helpful – may be useful on course
Unistats information for each course combination can be found at the bottom of the page
Please note that there may be no data available if the number of course participants is very small.
Arabic, Chinese, Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Hebrew, Japanese, Jewish Studies, Persian, Sanskrit, Turkish.
Oriental Studies is unique in its sole focus on introducing students to civilisations that are different from the Western ones upon which the curriculum in most British schools and colleges is based. The courses present both the major traditions and cultural trends of the regions studied and, in most cases, their modern developments. All courses include a combination of linguistic, literary, historic and cultural studies and there is a wide range of options in fields such as art and archaeology, history, literature, philosophy, religion and modern social studies.
Oriental Studies has a long history in Oxford. The Bodleian and other libraries have acquired extensive collections. The Oriental Institute, the China Centre, the Bodleian Japanese and Indian Institute Libraries are all specialists in their respective fields. Around the corner from the Oriental Institute is the Ashmolean Museum, which houses superb collections, and the Sackler Library which contains the renowned Griffith Library, one of the finest libraries in the world for the study of ancient Egypt and the Ancient Near East.
Work placements/international opportunities.
Most courses offer the opportunity to spend time in the region being studied ting...

Facilities

Location

Start date

Oxford (Oxfordshire)
See map
Wellington Square, OX1 2JD

Start date

On request

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Subjects

  • Law
  • Cinema
  • Art
  • Painting
  • Ceramics
  • Archaeology
  • IT Law
  • Arabic
  • Hebrew
  • Supervisor
  • Options
  • IT
  • Teaching
  • University
  • Writing
  • Sanskrit
  • Cultures
  • Elementary

Course programme

A typical week

Your time will be divided between lectures, tutorials (up to three students and a tutor) and language classes that will develop your writing, speaking and comprehension skills. The rest of your time will be dedicated to independent study, working on regular assignments in reading, writing and translation. Seminar and language class sizes may vary depending on the options you choose or the language you are studying, but there would usually be no more than around 10 students and often fewer, while lectures are normally around 15-25 students.

Most tutorials, classes, and lectures are delivered by staff who are tutors in their subject. Many are world-leading experts with years of experience in teaching and research. Some teaching may also be delivered by postgraduate students who are usually studying at doctorate level.

To find out more about how our teaching year is structured, visit our Academic Year page.

Academic YearCourse structureCourse structureArabic and Islamic Studies T601
Arabic with subsidiary language T6T9
Persian T613 Persian with subsidiary language T6TX
Turkish T600
Turkish with subsidiary language T6TYYEAR 1YEAR 2YEARS 3 AND 4

COURSES

  • Elementary language
  • Middle Eastern history and cultures

COURSES

Year abroad: approved course of language instruction

PROJECT

  • Core work on language and literature
  • History
  • Specialisation or subsidiary language
  • Islamic Religion (Arabic only)
ASSESSMENT

First University examinations after term 3: three written papers; an oral exam (Arabic only)

ASSESSMENT

Final University examinations at the end of Year 4: oral exam and eight or nine written papers (one of which must be a dissertation)

Options listed are only illustrative of what is available. A full list of current options is available on the Oriental Studies website.Arabic and Islamic Studies T601
Arabic with subsidiary language T6T9
Persian T613 Persian with subsidiary language T6TX
Turkish T600
Turkish with subsidiary language T6TYYEAR 1YEAR 2YEARS 3 AND 4

COURSES

  • Elementary language
  • Middle Eastern history and cultures

COURSES

Year abroad: approved course of language instruction

PROJECT

  • Core work on language and literature
  • History
  • Specialisation or subsidiary language
  • Islamic Religion (Arabic only)
ASSESSMENT

First University examinations after term 3: three written papers; an oral exam (Arabic only)

ASSESSMENT

Final University examinations at the end of Year 4: oral exam and eight or nine written papers (one of which must be a dissertation)

Options listed are only illustrative of what is available. A full list of current options is available on the Oriental Studies website.Arabic and Islamic Studies T601
Arabic with subsidiary language T6T9
Persian T613 Persian with subsidiary language T6TX
Turkish T600
Turkish with subsidiary language T6TYArabic and Islamic Studies T601
Arabic with subsidiary language T6T9
Persian T613 Arabic and Islamic Studies T601
Arabic with subsidiary language T6T9
Persian T613 Persian with subsidiary language T6TX
Turkish T600
Turkish with subsidiary language T6TYPersian with subsidiary language T6TX
Turkish T600
Turkish with subsidiary language T6TYPersian with subsidiary language T6TX
Turkish T600
Turkish with subsidiary language T6TYYEAR 1YEAR 2YEARS 3 AND 4YEAR 1YEAR 1YEAR 1YEAR 2YEAR 2YEAR 2YEARS 3 AND 4YEARS 3 AND 4YEARS 3 AND 4

COURSES

  • Elementary language
  • Middle Eastern history and cultures

COURSES

Year abroad: approved course of language instruction

PROJECT

  • Core work on language and literature
  • History
  • Specialisation or subsidiary language
  • Islamic Religion (Arabic only)

COURSES

  • Elementary language
  • Middle Eastern history and cultures

COURSES

COURSES
  • Elementary language
  • Middle Eastern history and cultures
  • Elementary language
  • Middle Eastern history and cultures

    • COURSES

    Year abroad: approved course of language instruction

    COURSES

    COURSES

    Year abroad: approved course of language instruction

    PROJECT

    • Core work on language and literature
    • History
    • Specialisation or subsidiary language
    • Islamic Religion (Arabic only)

    PROJECT

    PROJECT
    • Core work on language and literature
    • History
    • Specialisation or subsidiary language
    • Islamic Religion (Arabic only)
  • Core work on language and literature
  • History
  • Specialisation or subsidiary language



  • Islamic Religion (Arabic only)
    • ASSESSMENT

    First University examinations after term 3: three written papers; an oral exam (Arabic only)

    ASSESSMENT

    Final University examinations at the end of Year 4: oral exam and eight or nine written papers (one of which must be a dissertation)

    ASSESSMENT

    First University examinations after term 3: three written papers; an oral exam (Arabic only)

    ASSESSMENT

    First University examinations after term 3: three written papers; an oral exam (Arabic only)

    ASSESSMENT

    Final University examinations at the end of Year 4: oral exam and eight or nine written papers (one of which must be a dissertation)

    ASSESSMENT

    Final University examinations at the end of Year 4: oral exam and eight or nine written papers (one of which must be a dissertation)

    Options listed are only illustrative of what is available. A full list of current options is available on the Oriental Studies website.Options listed are only illustrative of what is available. A full list of current options is available on the Oriental Studies website.Options listed are only illustrative of what is available. A full list of current options is available on the Oriental Studies website.Oriental Studies websiteChinese T101YEAR 1YEAR 2YEARS 3 AND 4

    COURSES

    • Elementary language in Modern and Classical Chinese
    • History and civilisation of China

    COURSES

    • Year abroad at Peking University

    COURSES

    • Extended language classes in modern and classical Chinese
    • Interdisciplinary course on modern China
    • Options: China and the World; Contemporary Chinese cities in literature, art and cinema; Organization and ideology of the Chinese Communist Party; Literary worlds and cultural flows in Pre-Modern China; Angst in Early China; Chinese painters on painting; Chinese ceramics; Women and writing in Republican China; Chinese law and society; or subsidiary languages: Tibetan, Japanese or Korean
    Options listed are only illustrative of what is available. A full list of current options is available on the Oriental Studies website.

    ASSESSMENT

    First University examinations: three written papers; an oral exam

    ASSESSMENT

    Final University examinations: oral examination; seven written papers; dissertation; extended essay (for candidates who have taken options)

    Options listed are only illustrative of what is available. A full list of current options is available on the Oriental Studies website.Chinese T101YEAR 1YEAR 2YEARS 3 AND 4

    COURSES

    • Elementary language in Modern and Classical Chinese
    • History and civilisation of China

    COURSES

    • Year abroad at Peking University

    COURSES

    • Extended language classes in modern and classical Chinese
    • Interdisciplinary course on modern China
    • Options: China and the World; Contemporary Chinese cities in literature, art and cinema; Organization and ideology of the Chinese Communist Party; Literary worlds and cultural flows in Pre-Modern China; Angst in Early China; Chinese painters on painting; Chinese ceramics; Women and writing in Republican China; Chinese law and society; or subsidiary languages: Tibetan, Japanese or Korean
    Options listed are only illustrative of what is available. A full list of current options is available on the Oriental Studies website.

    ASSESSMENT

    First University examinations: three written papers; an oral exam

    ASSESSMENT

    Final University examinations: oral examination; seven written papers; dissertation; extended essay (for candidates who have taken options)

    Options listed are only illustrative of what is available. A full list of current options is available on the Oriental Studies website.Chinese T101Chinese T101Chinese T101YEAR 1YEAR 2YEARS 3 AND 4YEAR 1YEAR 1YEAR 1YEAR 2YEAR 2YEAR 2YEARS 3 AND 4YEARS 3 AND 4YEARS 3 AND 4

    COURSES

    • Elementary language in Modern and Classical Chinese
    • History and civilisation of China

    COURSES

    • Year abroad at Peking University

    COURSES

    • Extended language classes in modern and classical Chinese
    • Interdisciplinary course on modern China
    • Options: China and the World; Contemporary Chinese cities in literature, art and cinema; Organization and ideology of the Chinese Communist Party; Literary worlds and cultural flows in Pre-Modern China; Angst in Early China; Chinese painters on painting; Chinese ceramics; Women and writing in Republican China; Chinese law and society; or subsidiary languages: Tibetan, Japanese or Korean
    Options listed are only illustrative of what is available. A full list of current options is available on the Oriental Studies website.

    COURSES

    • Elementary language in Modern and Classical Chinese
    • History and civilisation of China

    COURSES

    COURSES
    • Elementary language in Modern and Classical Chinese
    • History and civilisation of China
  • Elementary language in Modern and Classical Chinese
  • History and civilisation of China

    • COURSES

    • Year abroad at Peking University

    COURSES

    COURSES
    • Year abroad at Peking University
  • Year abroad at Peking University

    • COURSES

    • Extended language classes in modern and classical Chinese
    • Interdisciplinary course on modern China
    • Options: China and the World; Contemporary Chinese cities in literature, art and cinema; Organization and ideology of the Chinese Communist Party; Literary worlds and cultural flows in Pre-Modern China; Angst in Early China; Chinese painters on painting; Chinese ceramics; Women and writing in Republican China; Chinese law and society; or subsidiary languages: Tibetan, Japanese or Korean
    Options listed are only illustrative of what is available. A full list of current options is available on the Oriental Studies website.

    COURSES

    COURSES
    • Extended language classes in modern and classical Chinese
    • Interdisciplinary course on modern China
    • Options: China and the World; Contemporary Chinese cities in literature, art and cinema; Organization and ideology of the Chinese Communist Party; Literary worlds and cultural flows in Pre-Modern China; Angst in Early China; Chinese painters on painting; Chinese ceramics; Women and writing in Republican China; Chinese law and society; or subsidiary languages: Tibetan, Japanese or Korean
  • Extended language classes in modern and classical Chinese
  • Interdisciplinary course on modern China
  • Options: China and the World; Contemporary Chinese cities in literature, art and cinema; Organization and ideology of the Chinese Communist Party; Literary worlds and cultural flows in Pre-Modern China; Angst in Early China; Chinese painters on painting; Chinese ceramics; Women and writing in Republican China; Chinese law and society; or subsidiary languages: Tibetan, Japanese or Korean
    • or Options listed are only illustrative of what is available. A full list of current options is available on the Oriental Studies website.Oriental Studies website

    ASSESSMENT

    First University examinations: three written papers; an oral exam

    ASSESSMENT

    Final University examinations: oral examination; seven written papers; dissertation; extended essay (for candidates who have taken options)

    ASSESSMENT

    First University examinations: three written papers; an oral exam

    ASSESSMENT

    ASSESSMENT

    First University examinations: three written papers; an oral exam

    ASSESSMENT

    Final University examinations: oral examination; seven written papers; dissertation; extended essay (for candidates who have taken options)

    ASSESSMENT

    ASSESSMENT

    Final University examinations: oral examination; seven written papers; dissertation; extended essay (for candidates who have taken options)

    Options listed are only illustrative of what is available. A full list of current options is available on the Oriental Studies website.Options listed are only illustrative of what is available. A full list of current options is available on the Oriental Studies website.Options listed are only illustrative of what is available. A full list of current options is available on the Oriental Studies website.Oriental Studies websiteEgyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies Q401
    Egyptology Q400
    Ancient Near Eastern Studies Q402    YEAR 1YEAR 2YEAR 3

    COURSES

    • Broad survey of civilisations of Egypt and the Ancient Near East
    • Language teaching in Egyptian or Akkadian

    COURSES

    • Addition of second language, or Archaeology and Anthropology
    • Language options: Akkadian, Egyptian, Arabic, Aramaic and Syriac, Coptic, Hebrew (Biblical and Mishnaic), Old Iranian, Sumerian or Hittite (if available)
    • Literary and historical topics through study of texts and essay writing
    • Intensive class work
    • Artefact classes
    Subject to acceptance, students may also have the option of Classical Greek or Latin from the Classics with Oriental Studies degree.

    COURSES

    • Essay writing and dissertation work
    • Intensive classes in the first and second terms
    • Artefact classes
    • Field of concentration

    ASSESSMENT

    First University examinations: four written papers

    ASSESSMENT

    Final University examinations: ten units

    Options listed are only illustrative of what is available. A full list of current options is available on the Oriental Studies website.Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies Q401
    Egyptology Q400
    Ancient Near Eastern Studies Q402    YEAR 1YEAR 2YEAR 3

    COURSES

    • Broad survey of civilisations of Egypt and the Ancient Near East
    • Language teaching in Egyptian or Akkadian

    COURSES

    • Addition of second language, or Archaeology and Anthropology
    • Language options: Akkadian, Egyptian, Arabic, Aramaic and Syriac, Coptic, Hebrew (Biblical and Mishnaic), Old Iranian, Sumerian or Hittite (if available)
    • Literary and historical topics through study of texts and essay writing
    • Intensive class work
    • Artefact classes
    Subject to acceptance, students may also have the option of Classical Greek or Latin from the Classics with Oriental Studies degree.

    COURSES

    • Essay writing and dissertation work
    • Intensive classes in the first and second terms
    • Artefact classes
    • Field of concentration

    ASSESSMENT

    First University examinations: four written papers

    ASSESSMENT

    Final University examinations: ten units

    Options listed are only illustrative of what is available. A full list of current options is available on the Oriental Studies website .Egyptology and Ancient Near...

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    Oriental Studies

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