Master's Programmes

The MSt in Ancient Philosophy offers a graduate education in ancient philosophy of the highest possible quality and provides a foundation from which candidates can go on to pursue doctoral work in the area. The course aims to allow students to specialise in at least two areas of ancient philosophy, and to write a thesis of 10,000-15,000 words.

The BPhil is an intellectually demanding two-year postgraduate course, presupposing an undergraduate and/or graduate background in philosophy (or equivalent). For students interested in specialising in Ancient Philosophy there is a possibility of following the “Ancient Philosophy track” in the BPhil in Philosophy.

This two-year degree aims to give you a comprehensive training in one of the main Buddhist canonical languages, along with in-depth explorations of Buddhist history, philosophy, and literature. You will choose to specialise in Sanskrit, Classical Tibetan, or Classical Chinese, and may select another of these languages as an optional subject.

This course introduces you to the religions of India whose literature has been expressed primarily in Sanskrit and the Middle Indic languages, especially Prakrit and Pali. The course provides an overview through the study of original sources in Sanskrit, as well as the opportunity to choose two Indian religious traditions in which to specialise.

The MSt in Traditional China provides students with an opportunity to develop the skills needed for research on pre-modern and early modern China. It is designed to stand independently as a one-year qualification which can lead on to further study elsewhere, but also to provide the standard training required of graduate students here in Oxford aiming at a thesis degree in pre-modern and early modern Chinese Studies.

The MPhil in Traditional East Asia examines the Sinitic tradition and its development and adaptations in China, Korea and Japan. On arrival, students are required to have proficiency in at least one East Asian language. You will be required to follow a general course in Classical Chinese, Classical Japanese, or Middle Korean. Prescribed texts are drawn from canonical literature in the areas of history, literature, and philosophy.

This 9-month full-time course offers an intensive training in research in the study of religions. It enables you to study two major religions, and to explore the nature of religion itself, at an advanced level. You can select your special subjects from the following five religious traditions currently covered by the faculty: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism.

The MSt in Philosophical Theology offers the opportunity to study the philosophy of religion and the history of either theology or specifically philosophical theology. Studies in the history of philosophical theology include the study of major philosophical works from each period in English translation.

The MPhil in Philosophical Theology is intended to provide students with detailed knowledge of philosophical theology, its history and a cognate area of philosophy, with the opportunity to hone their skills in research and in written and oral argument in these subjects.