StudyQA — Master: Classical Indian Religion

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Description Contents Requirements Funding

This course introduces you to classical Indian religion in a way that bases understanding on original sources and that equips you to continue in the same vein. Formally, the course is in two parts. The first, of five months, is an intensive study of the rudiments of Sanskrit. In the second part of the course you have regular classes in reading Sanskrit religious texts and write supervised essays on topics in Indian religion.

Oriental studies graduates have found employment in many and 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.

The first part of the course, lasting five months, is an intensive study of the rudiments of Sanskrit. It leads to a written examination at the end of March of your ability to translate prepared texts and of your knowledge of grammar. You are not allowed to proceed to the second part of the course unless you pass this examination.

In the second part of the course you will have regular classes in reading Sanskrit religious texts. There are four short lists of prescribed texts - Shaiva, Vaishnava, Buddhist, and also what might be termed mainstream - and you will read the texts from two of these lists. In the final examination there is one three-hour written paper in the linguistically-based parts of the course. The paper is divided into two parts, which carry equal weight, a part on translation from the prepared set texts and a part on unprepared translation from Sanskrit, the latter usually consisting of one passage in epic Sanskrit and one from a typical commentary on a religious text.

In the final examination there are also two three-hour written papers on the history of classical Indian religion, with the subject matter divided more or less chronologically. To prepare for this, there are normally lectures in the first term of the course introducing the religions indigenous to India. In subsequent terms you will be given regular tutorials, for which you will often prepare essays to discuss with your tutors. From time to time there are also other relevant lectures and seminars.

Besides the three written examinations already mentioned, you either have to offer a fourth written three-hour paper, on approaches to the study of Indian religion, or to write a thesis of up to 20,000 words. In practice most students choose the latter option. It is usual to write the thesis mostly during the vacations, and it has to be handed in at the beginning of the final term. Tutors will discuss the choice of topic with you and supply a bibliography, and may criticise a first draft, but the final version of the thesis is entirely your own work. If you are subsequently admitted for a research degree, a successful MPhil thesis may form the basis of your doctoral dissertation.

Applicants are normally expected to be predicted or have achieved a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications), as a minimum, in any subject.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.5 out of 4.0.

If you hold non-UK qualifications and wish to check how your qualifications match these requirements, you can contact the National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC).

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

Official transcript(s)
CV/résumé
Statement of purpose/personal statement:Up to three pages
Written work:Two essays of 2,000 words each
References/letters of recommendation: Three overall, all of which must be academic

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Higher level

est	Standard level scores		Higher level scores
IELTS Academic Institution code: 0713	7.0	Minimum 6.5 per component	7.5	Minimum 7.0 per component
TOEFL iBT Institution code: 0490	100	Minimum component scores: Listening: 22 Reading: 24 Speaking: 25 Writing: 24	110	Minimum component scores: Listening: 22 Reading: 24 Speaking: 25 Writing: 24
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)	185	Minimum 176 per component	191	Minimum 185 per component
Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE)	185	Minimum 176 per component	191	Minimum 185 per component