Oxford – Religion and Oriental Studies

Studying a religion by reading its texts in its original language is especially satisfying and illuminating. This allows a student to fully understand the cultural and social traditions that are related to the religion. Students in the Religion and Oriental Studies course can tackle topics including the interrelation of science and religion, and the implication of religious ethics in daily life. Possibly the smallest course in the university with an annual intake of just 3 undergraduates over the last 3 years. A third of all applicants are successful, however, making it one of the less competitive courses although the University will not award places to inappropriate applicants.

In the first year, students follow the Religion and religions course. Students also study either Greek, Hebrew, Arabic, Tibetan, Hindi, Pali or Sanskrit. In the second and third years, students choose a world religion to study and a language which complements their chosen religion. For Christianity, you can choose between Greek and Hebrew; for Judaism, you study Hebrew; for Islam, you study Arabic; for Buddhism, you can choose from Pali (if available), Sanskrit or Tibetan; and for Hinduism, you study Sanskrit.

In the first year, students will have quite a few language classes, in addition to religion classes. Over the following two years, more emphasis is placed on studying religious texts in their primary languages. Students must also write a thesis on a topic of choice. This can be a religious topic, or a topic from Oriental Studies.

At A Level (or equivalent) it may be useful to study an essay-writing subject or a language.