Study of Religions

In many cases, you will study the early doctrines and practices of religious traditions in their historical contexts, engaging with primary source texts in English translation, but you may also opt to study the modern variations of a particular religion, or a set of religious practices or institutions in the contemporary world. The Oxford tutorial system applies to postgraduate study in this course, so you are encouraged to develop your particular interests in conversation with your tutors.

Each of these traditions has an internationally-recognised research centre, institute or outstanding cluster of scholars in Oxford. This typically means that you are not only taught by specialists in your chosen tradition, but also have access to a variety of specialist libraries and collections.

Assessment typically consists of:

• a single three-hour exam on the core course Methods and Study of Religion/Themes in the Interaction Between Religions;
• two essays of up to 5,000 words, between them covering the two chosen religious traditions either on their own or in comparison/connection with another;
• a dissertation of 10,000 to 15,000 words on a topic relating to either one religious tradition on its own or two or more religious traditions in comparison/connection with each other - if you are intending to proceed to doctoral study this is normally used as a foundation for future research); and
• an oral examination (viva voce) on your dissertation and essay research topics and wider knowledge of the study of religion unless individually dispensed by the examiners.

The choice of essay and dissertation topics is decided by the student, subject to advice from the supervisor and final approval. Students would be encouraged to use the work on their essays as building blocks towards their dissertation.

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Faculty of Theology and Religion 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 Theology and Religion.

Students who leave the University of Oxford with graduate degrees in theology enter a variety of careers all around the world. Over half of those who gain an MSt or MPhil proceed to further, usually doctoral, study. Most of the others secure employment as, for example, school teachers, civil servants, parliamentary research assistants or staff members of, or researchers at, non-governmental organisations that work on issues pertaining to religion in public life.

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.

All graduate courses offered by the Faculty of Theology and Religion

Applied Theology MTh

Applied Theology PGDip

Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World MPhil

Philosophical Theology MPhil

Philosophical Theology MSt

Study of Religions MSt

Theology MPhil

Theology MSt

Theology BTh

Theology and Religion DPhil

Theology and Religion PGDip

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Entry requirements