Centre for the Study of Jewish-Christian Relations
University of Cambridge
Master of Studies Degree in The Study of Jewish-Christian Relations
The Master of Studies (MSt) Degree in The Study of Jewish-Christian Relations of the University of Cambridge is the only Master"s level qualification in this field in Europe. The Centre for the Study of Jewish-Christian Relations (CJCR) offers this degree in conjunction with the Faculty of Divinity and the Institute of Continuing Education.
The MSt is a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary programme, combining religious, biblical, philosophical and cultural studies, with history, political science and international relations.The course provides students with a Master"s level grounding in the study of Jewish-Christian Relations, and with guidance on, and training in, research techniques.
The MSt represents a unique opportunity for students to study for a qualification awarded by a University with a world-wide reputation for outstanding academic achievement. At the same time, they can enjoy a degree of flexibility (in relation to patterns of residency and attendance). Track B of the MSt is the first Cambridge degree programme to be taught substantially online.
The Faculty of Divinity accepts that the MSt includes sufficient training in research to count towards the minimum requirements of the PhD. It may be considered equivalent to the Faculty"s MPhil and be treated as comparable to the first year of full-time doctoral work.
Structure
This 2-year course begins in the Autumn (usually October) and ends on the last Friday of July two years later. Induction is held at the beginning of year 1 (at the end of September), one week prior to the start of teaching.
Year 1: In the first year students take four taught courses called "papers": Foundations, Scripture, History and Culture
Summer school: One of the above papers (except for the Foundations, delivered as the first paper in the series) is taught as a summer school. All track A and B students come together for residential summer school in Cambridge at the end of their first year.
Year 2: Candidates who have performed satisfactorily in the examinations, devote the second year researching and writing a 15,000 word dissertation on a topic of the student"s own choosing which will be supervised by an appropriate academic specialist. The dissertation will be submitted in mid-July of Year 2 and will be assessed by two examiners. Candidates may be required to attend an oral examination in Cambridge.
Learning support
Each student has an advisor who has oversight of her or his academic progress, gives advice on study related matters, and provides feedback on written assignments and the research proposal. College Tutors will also play a role in induction and support. Students receive 240 hours of formal instruction, including lectures, seminars, plenaries, and individual tuition.
Academic Resources
CJCR is located in Cambridge, which has a long tradition of the study of Judaism and Christianity. Its MSt students are members of a College as well as of the University, and have access to the normal facilities enjoyed by full-time students including use of computers, Faculty, College, and University libraries with an additional vast range of electronic publications. Students benefit in particular from the CJCR library, which constitutes the main working collection for MSt students. This library operates a postal loans scheme for members who are resident outside Cambridge.
Admission
Applicants for MSt are expected to have at least a 2.1 Honours degree (or equivalent) or to produce evidence of relevant and equivalent experience, and their fitness to read for a Master"s degree. International applicants are required to demonstrate their English proficiency.
Application: Please see www.cjcr.cam.ac.uk for details of The Graduate Studies Prospectus and the Application Form for the course. If you have any difficulty in accessing the web site or downloading the form, please contact us as soon as possible.
Application deadline:
The closing date for applications for the MSt is 30 April of each year for the academic year starting in the following September. If you missed the application deadline, please contact CJCR.
Fees
MSt fee = £3900 (this is the total over 2 years, i.e. £1950 per annum)
To this must be added:
A College fee (c. £350-450 per annum)
You will also need to budget for travel, accommodation and living expenses for the residential part of your studies in Cambridge.
The fees are the same for all students, i.e. UK nationals and overseas students, and also for Track A and B studies.
Financial assistance
Students in both tracks are allowed to work to support their studies. You are also encouraged to apply to the following sources of funding:
Full scholarships administered by CJCR: Some of these cover course fees, accommodation and maintenance; others cover course fees only. Small bursaries administered by CJCR: These include a number of awards, earmarked for Track B (e-learning) students.
Additional studentships may be sought from the University Colleges; and AHRC (Arts and Humanities Research Council): Please note that AHRC funding is -also available for e-learning, i.e. students in both Track A and B can apply.
Students are also encouraged to approach other donors, such as foundations and diocesan trusts, to seek further support.
If you wish to apply for 1 or 2 above, please submit a letter stating your wish to be considered for an award. This should describe an outline of your future career plans and intentions. The letter should be included in your application pack submitted to CJCR.
Contact & Enquiries
Further information at www.cjcr.cam.ac.uk or contact:
Esther Haworth (Academic Administrator)
Tel: 01223 742178 / 01223 741048
CJCR
Wesley House
Jesus Lane
Cambridge CB5 8BJ
United Kingdom