Research interests:
Judaeo-Arabic, historical linguistics of Arabic and Yiddish, sociolinguistics, scribal practise, and Jewish-Muslim relations in Egypt and Muslim Spain as reflected in the Genizah sources.
MPhil applications for 2025/6 are now OPEN. The application deadline to be considered for funding is 3 December 2024.
The taught MPhil in Muslim-Jewish Relations gives you the opportunity to explore the diverse and fascinating history of the relationship between the Arab and Jewish worlds. You will apply the skills gained during your undergraduate studies and advance your research expertise, particularly though the study of primary sources.
You will already be competent in Arabic, Hebrew or Persian, usually to a level at least equivalent to two years of full time study of the language.
For specifics on how to apply, requirements, fees and finance, please see the University Postgraduate Admissions pages for this course
The course entails
- a core module providing an overview of the wider field of Middle Eastern Studies and on-going training and support for your dissertation
- two optional modules providing specialist training in specific aspects of Muslim and Jewish relations, past and present
- a 15,000-word research dissertation on a topic of your choice
Before you apply, we encourage you to contact us to discuss your research interests. Please see the list of Faculty members below. For more general queries about the degree course please contact the Postgraduate Administrator. If possible, please attach a draft research proposal for your MPhil dissertation when contacting us. The proposal should usually be fewer than 1,500 words in length and can later be submitted as part of your formal application.
The course provides an excellent foundation for doctoral research for those interested in continuing their academic careers. Postgraduates have also found employment in a wide range of fields including development and charity work, the cultural sector and education and other fields where cultural understanding, linguistic skills and high level critical thinking, analysis and communication skills are needed.
This degree is delivered in close collaboration with the Woolf Institute
Faculty members with research interests in Muslim-Jewish relations
University Associate Professor in the Eastern Islamic Lands and Persian-Speaking World
Dr Ashraf welcomes inquiries from prospective MPhil and PhD students who are interested in projects relating to the history of Iran and the Persian-speaking world, from the early modern to modern periods broadly defined.
Research interests: Comparative empires; the ‘Persianate world’; imperial and state formation; political culture; Persian historiography; history, memory, and the politics of knowledge.
Professor in the History and Culture of the Maghrib
Professor Bennison is happy to supervise graduate students in work relating to the pre-modern history of the Maghrib and Islamic cultural history, including the Medieval Islamic West
Research interests: The medieval Islamic West; 18th-19th century Muslim religio-political discourse and state structures especially in the Maghrib; Islamic cultural history
University Associate Professor in Hebrew
Research interests: Ancient Hebrew philology and linguistics, Ancient Hebrew periodization, exegesis
Regius Professor of Hebrew
Professor Khan is happy to supervise projects relating to any area of his research.
Research interests: Semitic philological and linguistic studies, particularly of Biblical Hebrew, Aramaic and Arabic. Also endangered dialects of Neo-Aramaic and the history of Judaeo-Arabic, including modern spoken varieties.
Professor of Classical Arabic Studies
Professor Marsham is happy to supervise graduate students in work relating to pre-modern Islamic History.
Research interests: Islamic History; Late Antiquity; Political Culture in Early Islam; Empire and State Formation; Arabic Historiography; Comparative and Transregional History
Kennedy Leigh Professor of Modern Hebrew Studies
I welcome inquiries from potential MPhil and PhD students with research interests relevant to my interests in modern Hebrew literary history, Israeli cinema and Israeli culture more generally, primarily the creation of a native Hebrew culture in Palestine/Eretz Israel at the beginning of the twentieth century and its legacy.
Research interests: Modern Hebrew literary history; Israeli cinema and culture; the creation and legacy of a native Hebrew culture at the beginning of the 20th century
