In the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies you can study Arabic, Chinese, Hebrew, Persian or Japanese which together form the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies Tripos. Arabic, Hebrew and Persian may be combined with each other or with subjects from other faculties such as a modern European language or Assyriology. Chinese and Japanese cannot ordinarily be combined, except with each other. All subjects in the Faculty involve intensive study of the language or languages taken and a range of courses on the literature, culture and history.
The majority of courses within the Faculty are of four years' duration (Part I in the second year, Part II in the fourth) and include a year spent abroad (year three).
The emphasis within the Faculty has traditionally focused on acquiring a detailed knowledge of the chosen language(s). While this remains important, increasing attention is now paid to historical, social, religious and literary aspects of the various cultures.
If you are following the A-level curriculum, offers are usually conditional upon achieving specified grades, typically A*AA (without specifying which should be A*). A language at A-Level is desirable but not essential. We are happy to consider applications from students taking equivalent qualifications, such as the International Baccalaureate.
Those invited to attend for interview will have two interviews. One will be with the Director of Studies in Oriental Studies (often with an additional subject specialist in attendance where the candidate's proposed field of study is outside the Director of Studies' range of expertise). There is also a second general/tutorial interview. We ask, in advance, for two pieces of written work, composed and marked as part of your school course. Send us the work you most enjoyed writing, they do not have to relate to your proposed subject area. We are looking for evidence of your existing skills and your academic potential.
