Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World

The MSt in Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World at the University of Oxford offers an in-depth exploration of the historical, religious, and cultural developments of Judaism and Christianity within the context of the Graeco-Roman era. This interdisciplinary programme provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the complex interactions between these two major religious traditions and their surroundings during a transformative period in history. Through rigorous academic coursework, students examine primary sources, archaeological findings, and scholarly interpretations to analyze the evolution of religious beliefs, practices, and institutions from the Hellenistic period through Late Antiquity. The programme emphasizes critical engagement with texts in their original languages, including Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, supplemented by translations and secondary literature. Participants will study the historical contexts shaping religious thought and examine the socio-political factors influencing religious communities.

The curriculum covers a broad range of topics, including the development of Jewish communities under Hellenistic rule, the emergence of Christian theology and ecclesiastical structures, and the interaction and conflicts between Judaism and Christianity. Students will explore significant historical figures, religious texts, and archaeological evidence, gaining skills in textual analysis, contextual interpretation, and historic methodology. The programme also encourages interdisciplinary approaches, combining insights from history, theology, archaeology, and philology, enabling students to develop a nuanced understanding of religious identities and their transformations during this pivotal era.

Supervised by world-renowned scholars, students will participate in regular seminars, workshops, and tutorials tailored to foster critical thinking and independent research. The programme culminates in a dissertation that allows students to investigate a specialized topic of their choosing within the broader field. Graduates of this course will be well-equipped for careers in academia, publishing, museums, archives, and religious institutions, or further postgraduate research. This programme reflects Oxford's commitment to integrating rigorous scholarship with a diverse and vibrant learning environment, providing an exceptional opportunity for students passionate about understanding the roots of Western religious traditions through the lens of history and archaeology.

An emphasis is placed on the detailed study of primary evidence for both Judaism and Christianity in the first and early second centuries CE. You will therefore require a good existing knowledge of both Hebrew and Greek.

The structure and content of the course ensures that you have the opportunity to pay equal attention to the history and primary texts of both religious traditions. The following two core modules examine the literature, history, and institutions of each tradition:

• Judaism from 200 BCE to 200 CE
• Christianity to 200 CE

You choose to specialise in one further theme within each tradition. In the case of Judaism, these themes are:

• Jewish Historiography
• Jewish Bible Interpretation
• Jewish Eschatology
• Jewish Wisdom Literature.

In the case of Christianity, these themes are:

• The Gospels and the Historical Jesus
• The Acts and the Pauline Corpus
• The Apostolic Fathers
• The Apologists.

You may choose a dissertation research topic which explores a facet of one or other tradition or inter-relating aspects of the two traditions in the period.

The Oxford Faculties of Theology and Religion and of Oriental Studies, together with Oxford’s wider library resources and collections, provide an unmatched research environment for the study of Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World. Many graduates of this course have found their in-depth engagement with the Jewish background to early Christianity an excellent preparation for doctoral study in New Testament, in the history of religions in the early Roman Empire and in Jewish studies.

Assessment consists of:

• two written exams on the literature, history, and institutions of Judaism and Christianity respectively; 
• two further written exams consisting of essay questions and passages for translation and comment from set texts relating to your chosen themes in both Judaism and Christianity; 
• a 20,000-word dissertation on a topic in Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World; and
• an oral examination (viva voce) on your dissertation topic and wider knowledge of Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World.

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 theology, religious studies or another closely-related field. Entrance is very competitive.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.7 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).

An emphasis is placed on the detailed study of primary evidence for both Judaism and Christianity in the first and early second centuries CE. Students therefore require a good existing knowledge of both Hebrew and Greek.

Other examination results may be submitted alongside degree qualifications. If offered, the minimum Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score sought is 160 and the minimum GMAT score sought is 600.

• Official transcript(s)
• CV/résumé
• Statement of purpose: One page
• Written work:Two essays of 2,000 words each
• References/letters of recommendation:Three overall, generally academic

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Higher level

• Global Education
• Hill Foundation Scholarships
• Ertegun Scholarship Programme

The DPhil in Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World at the University of Oxford offers an in-depth exploration of the historical development, cultural interactions, and theological evolution of Judaism and Christianity within the context of the Graeco-Roman period. This program is designed for students with a strong background in religious studies, history, or related disciplines who wish to gain expert knowledge in these influential religious traditions and their interconnected histories. The curriculum provides a comprehensive understanding of the texts, archaeological findings, socio-cultural developments, and philosophical ideas that shaped Jewish and Christian communities from the Hellenistic period through Late Antiquity.

Students have the opportunity to study a wide array of sources, including biblical texts, archaeological artifacts, and contemporary writings, to analyze the religious practices, beliefs, and societal roles of Jews and Christians in the Graeco-Roman world. The program emphasizes critical engagement with primary sources and methodological approaches such as textual analysis, historical contextualization, and comparative studies. Research topics may include the development of Jewish sects, the impact of Hellenistic culture on religious identity, the formation of Christian doctrine, and the interactions between Jewish and Christian communities.

The programme is usually supervised by leading academics in the fields of Jewish studies, early Christianity, and Graeco-Roman history, providing students with personalized guidance and opportunities to participate in seminars, conferences, and workshops. Students are expected to produce a thesis of approximately 80,000 words, demonstrating original research and critical analysis. The duration of the programme typically extends over three to four years, depending on whether students are undertaking full-time or part-time study.

Facilities available to students include access to extensive university libraries, specialized collections in religious and classical studies, and resources on archaeology and material culture. The program often encourages interdisciplinary research, incorporating insights from archaeology, philology, theology, and history, to foster a holistic understanding of the period. Graduates of the programme are well-equipped to pursue careers in academia, education, religious institutions, and cultural heritage sectors. They also often publish their research in academic journals and contribute to ongoing scholarly debates on the history of Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman context.