Oriental Studies: University of Oxford

What is Oriental Studies?

Among subjects in the humanities, Oriental Studies is unique in introducing students to civilisations that are radically different from the Western ones that form the basis of the curriculum in most British schools and colleges. The courses present both the major traditions of the regions studied and, in most cases, their modern developments. All courses include language, literature, history and culture, and there is a wide range of options in such fields as art and archaeology, history, literature, philosophy, religion and modern social studies.

Oriental Studies at Oxford

Oriental Studies has a long history in Oxford. The Bodleian and other libraries have acquired magnificent collections. The Oriental Institute, Institute for Chinese Studies, Bodleian Japanese and Indian Institute Libraries offer loan collections in their respective fields. Adjacent to the Oriental Institute is the Ashmolean Museum, which houses superb collections. The Sackler Library includes the principal library for Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies.

Work placements/international opportunities

Most courses offer the opportunity to spend time in the region being studied. The Arabic course includes a year in the Middle East, the Persian and Turkish courses a year in Iran or Turkey respectively, the Hebrew course an optional year in Israel, and the Chinese course includes four months on a course of language study in East Asia. Students of Japanese spend the third term of their first year in Japan and may also spend an optional further year there between years 3 and 4 of the course, taking advantage of work placements and opportunities for further study at Japanese universities.

Entrance Requirements

• Website: http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate....

General contact details

• Address: University of Oxford
  University Offices
  Wellington Square
  Oxford
  OX1 2JD
  United Kingdom
• Telephone: +44 1865 270000
• Fax: +44 1865 270708