Eastern Christian Studies

Before arrival in Oxford you will be required to choose to study for papers in one of the three following options:

• Greek (Patristic and Byzantine)
• Armenian with Greek
• Syriac with Greek

Teaching for each option may not be available in every year and you will be advised of this when you apply.

A list of set texts in each language is included in the Course Handbook, which can be accessed via the faculty's course webpage. Set texts are agreed with candidates at the beginning of the academic year, and a list of these can be obtained from the Course Director.

Teaching takes the form of text classes, supervisions and/or seminars, and background lectures. The Armenian and Syriac set texts are read in the first year in text classes, for which you will be expected to prepare, while the Greek set texts will normally be left to you to work through alone. You will also be required to write and present essays, either for supervisions or for seminars. The second year is normally left for work on the thesis, the subject of which must be approved by the Faculty Board, and for this your supervisor will provide general guidance.

The examination towards the end of Trinity term in the second year takes the form of four papers. These consist of:

• essay questions on the development of doctrine and the history of the Church in the Christian East to AD 717
• specified Armenian or Syriac historical texts
• specified Armenian or Syriac theological texts
• Greek ecclesiastical texts

For the specified Armenian and Syriac historical and theological texts, besides passages for translation and comment, there may also be essay questions associated with the set texts. The paper on Greek ecclesiastical texts will include some passages from unspecified, as well as specified, texts.

The thesis (of not more than 30,000 words) must be presented at the end of the second week of the same Trinity term. You will be examined viva voce unless you have been individually excused by the examiners.

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Faculty of Oriental Studies and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Faculty of Oriental Studies.

Oriental studies graduates have found employment in many diverse fields including business, finance law, civil service, journalism, government and industry.

Many graduates have also undertaken further research into subjects linked with Oriental studies and have pursued successful careers in the academic world, education and in museums.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. In certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information, please see our page on changes to courses.

Other courses you may wish to consider

If you're thinking about applying for this course, you may also wish to consider the courses listed below. These courses may have been suggested due to their similarity with this course, or because they are offered by the same department or faculty.

Courses suggested by the faculty

Syriac Studies MSt
Classical Armenian Studies MSt
Oriental Studies MSt
Oriental Studies DPhil

All graduate courses offered by the Faculty of Oriental Studies

Bible Interpretation MSt

Buddhist Studies MPhil

Classical Armenian Studies MSt

Classical Hebrew Studies MSt

Classical Indian Religion MPhil

Contemporary Chinese Studies MSc

Cuneiform Studies MPhil

Eastern Christian Studies MPhil

Egyptology MPhil

Islamic Art and Archaeology MSt

Islamic Art and Archaeology MPhil

Islamic Studies and History MPhil

Islamic Studies and History MSt

Japanese Studies MPhil

Japanese Studies MSc

Jewish Studies MPhil

Jewish Studies MSt

Jewish Studies in the Graeco-Roman Period MSt

Jewish Studies in the Graeco-Roman Period MPhil

Korean Studies MSt

Modern Chinese Studies MPhil

Modern Middle Eastern Studies MSc

Modern Middle Eastern Studies MPhil

Modern South Asian Studies MSc

Modern South Asian Studies MPhil

Oriental Studies DPhil

Oriental Studies MSt

Syriac Studies MSt

Tibetan and Himalayan Studies MPhil

Traditional China MSt

Traditional East Asia MPhil

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Entry requirements