Our MPhil programme in Aramaic Studies is offered as a one-year programme which aims to give graduate students an opportunity to develop their analytical, research and writing skills in preparation for further academic research or entry to professions requiring such skills.

This MPhil programme is taken by dissertation only. This entails working closely with one supervisor throughout the year on a 25,000 word dissertation to be submitted in mid-August.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the MPhil programme, students will be expected to have:

• acquired the ability to read, interpret and translate primary sources in Aramaic;
• acquired a good knowledge of the general scholarship on Aramaic culture(s);
• acquired an in-depth knowledge of the secondary literature relevant to the subject of their dissertation;
• developed the ability to formulate original research questions and produce a well-constructed, argument to answer them, in the form of an independent piece of research based on the use of primary and secondary sources;
• acquired the skills to use library and internet resources independently.

Continuing

Applicants for the PhD will be expected to have scored at least 67% or above (or the equivalent from an overseas University) in their Master's degree which should be related to the PhD programme they wish to pursue. All applicants should submit with their GRADSAF (graduate application) a workable and interesting research proposal and demonstrate that they have the required academic knowledge and skills to carry out their project.

Admission is at the discretion of the Degree Committee, which judges each graduate applicant on his or her own merits and in accordance with its own set rules and regulations.

Students who take the MPhil in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies by Research (Aramaic Studies) are expected to work closely with their supervisor throughout the year on a 25,000 word dissertation which is submitted by mid-August.

During the year, MPhil students attend various training courses offered by the Department in codicology, text reading, fieldwork and other skills. They are also encouraged to attend fourth year undergraduate lectures and language courses where relevant. They also attend graduate work-in-progress seminars where they have an opportunity to present their own work to their peers for feedback in a supportive environment.

All prospective MPhil applicants are advised to peruse the staff profiles on our website to familiarise themselves with the research and teaching interests of staff members. Attention is drawn to the fact that a particular research specialism of Professor Geoffrey Khan is Modern Aramaic. Applicants should contact potential supervisors by email and discuss potential MPhil dissertation topics.

Feedback

Students taking the MPhil in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies by Research (Aramaic Studies), working on a 25,000 word dissertation to be submitted in mid-August, will receive feedback on their work throughout the year from regular one-on-one supervisions with their supervisor. Supervisors will produce feedback via termly CGSRS reports on CamSIS. Students will receive feedback on their MPhil dissertation results and overall Degree results after the final Degree Committee meeting in September.

Assessment

Thesis

For the MPhil in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies by Research (Aramaic Studies), students will submit a thesis of not more than 25,000 words, including footnotes and appendices but excluding bibliography on a subject approved by the Degree Committee. All MPhil dissertations must include a brief Abstract at the start of the dissertation of no more than 400 words.

Those students who take the MPhil by research will be required to take a viva examination, which is normally held in September.

• Magistr (Master's Degree) at Pass level. Diploma Specialista (completed post-1991) with a minimum overall grade of good or 4/5 Bachelor's from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and other prestigious institutions with an overall grade of 4/5 Bologna Bachelor's from other institutions with an overall grade of 5/5, Excellent
• Diploma Specialista (completed post-1991) with a minimum overall grade of Excellent or 5/5 Bachelor's from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and other prestigious institutions with an overall grade of 5/5
• IELTS (Academic) 7.5
• TOEFL Internet Score 110
• £50 application fee
• First Academic Reference
• Second Academic Reference
• Transcript
• Research Proposal 
• Attainments in languages. Good reading knowledge of Classical Arabic will be expected.Applicants are required to list the languages they know and their level of competence.
• Sample of Work
• Personal Reference. This is only required if you are applying for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship. Applicants who wish to be considered for the Gates Cambridge (USA) and Gates Cambridge (International) must include a personal reference with their GRADSAF and other supporting documentation.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

The financing of the Aramaic Studies program at the University of Cambridge is supported through a combination of tuition fees, university scholarships, departmental funding, and external bursaries. Tuition fees for UK, EU, and international students are set annually and are published on the university’s official website. Students are encouraged to explore the various funding opportunities available, including the Cambridge Trusts, Gates Scholarships, and other scholarship programs designed to assist students pursuing postgraduate studies. The university also offers a range of bursaries and grants to help offset living expenses, research costs, and academic materials.

In addition to institutional funding, many students secure external sponsorships or funding from their home countries or organizations supporting language and cultural research. The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and other research councils sometimes provide grants for postgraduate research, which doctoral students enrolled in the program may access. The university has a competitive admissions process; successful applicants often receive guidance on applying for financial aid and are encouraged to apply early to maximize their chances of securing funding.

The department itself may also provide teaching assistantships or research assistantships, which offer stipends and sometimes tuition fee reductions in exchange for teaching or research duties. These opportunities not only help finance the studies but also provide valuable academic experience. Students are also advised to consider external funding bodies, cultural foundations, and linguistic societies that support research in ancient Semitic languages and Near Eastern studies.

Overall, students enrolled in the Aramaic Studies program at the University of Cambridge have access to a diverse range of financial support options, although the availability and competitiveness of such funding vary annually. It is recommended that prospective and current students regularly consult the university’s official funding pages and departmental notices for the most current and detailed information.

The University of Cambridge offers specialized programmes in Aramaic Studies, designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the Aramaic language, literature, history, and cultural context. These programmes are typically conducted through the Faculty of Oriental Studies or related departments, emphasizing both linguistic proficiency and historical insight. Students enrolled in Aramaic Studies engage in intensive language courses that cover classical Aramaic, including Biblical Aramaic and Imperial Aramaic, as well as modern dialects and regional variations. The curriculum often incorporates textual analysis, palaeography, and translation exercises, allowing students to access ancient manuscripts and inscriptions. Additionally, the programme aims to familiarize students with the historical development of Aramaic-speaking communities across the Near East, exploring their social, religious, and political histories.

Students may have opportunities to conduct independent research, participate in seminars, and attend lectures delivered by leading experts in the field of Semitic languages and Near Eastern studies. The programme also provides access to extensive scholarly resources, including archives of ancient texts and digital databases. For those interested in further academic pursuits, the course structure is designed to prepare students for PhD research or careers in academia, archaeology, history, or related fields. Graduates of the programme typically gain a deep understanding of Aramaic texts, their interpretative challenges, and their significance in religious, historical, and cultural contexts. Overall, Cambridge's programme promotes a rigorous academic environment that fosters critical thinking and linguistic expertise, helping students develop the skills necessary to contribute to scholarly debates on the ancient Near East and Semitic languages.