UCL Department of Hebrew and Jewish Studies

The department at UCL has approximately 35 undergraduates, 35 graduate students, and 14 full and part-time members of staff. We pride ourselves on the quality of our pastoral care and concern for students. We strongly urge potential applicants to speak to any of our former students.

Students may enroll in the degree on a full-time (one year) or part-time basis (two years). The programme consists of four taught modules of specialisation (120 credits) and a research dissertation of up to 15,000 words (60 credits). The classes are ordinarily assessed by essays and a final examination, although some half-year classes are assessed only by written work. The taught component of the degree is offered during the three academic terms, from October to June. Students ordinarily write their dissertation in the summer to meet a due date of mid-September.

Students who are taking the degree on a part-time basis, over two years, take two taught classes in the first year, and two taught classes in the second year, in addition to writing their dissertation.

The department is strong in Jewish history, especially the modern history of the Jews in Central and Eastern Europe, the history of Zionism, and the history of the Holocaust. The department is a major centre for teaching and research devoted to the politics of the state of Israel, with special emphasis on the Arab-Israeli Conflict and the Middle East Peace Process.

Each candidate for the MA is required to write a dissertation with a maximum length of 15,000 words. It should, at least in part, be based upon original research and primary source material. The objective is to train students in research techniques that can be applied in future employment, or as preparation for working towards the research degrees of MPhil or PhD. Research councils increasingly demand that candidates for admission to research degree programmes have adequate training. It is one of the objectives of the HJS MA to provide this, so the degree is excellent preparation for further academic work.

Students are expected to select their dissertation topic after consulting the MA Course Tutor early in the second term. Most students use the summer period to research and write their dissertation, which is submitted at the end of the academic year.

Financial assistance for MA candidates is available through The Ian Karten Charitable Trust Scholarships which provide four scholarships per annum to a maxium value of £1,000 each for students enrolling in the MA programme of the department. Candidates who wish to be considered for these scholarships should contact the Graduate Tutor. They should also consult the booklet, Sources of Funding for Graduate Students.

Applicants for the MA in MA in Language, Culture And History—Jewish History Pathway are normally expected to have a second class Bachelor's degree in an appropriate arts or social science subject, although students who have qualified in other subjects will be considered. North American students should normally have at least a B+ average for their undergraduate work.

Applicants should have strong letters of recommendation from two referees who know their academic achievements and potential well. They must also write a short description of their background and skills, as well as their reasons for pursuing the degree.

HJS students who have earned an MA in Language, Culture and History have embarked upon a variety of careers. Some have pursued an academic career at the university or secondary school level. Others are active in community service organizations, both Jewish and non-Jewish. Graduates of the MA programme have found it an excellent foundation for a professional degree in Law. Whatever career path graduates might choose, they will be helped by a degree from a university recognised as one of the best in the world.