Postgraduate Study

Jewish Studies Related MA Programmes

The University of Manchester is a major centre for teaching and research in Jewish Studies. The MA in Religions and Theology (Jewish Studies focus) has a high taught course unit content and offers specialised courses and advanced supervision in Jewish Studies. The programme provides students with access to the expertise of leading scholars in the fields of Jewish-Christian-Muslim relations, Jewish history, Holocaust Studies, Israel Studies, Jewish philosophy, Jewish literature, Hebrew language, Bible, Second Temple Judaism, and Rabbinic literature. Staff are mostly located in the old-established and distinguished subject areas of Religions and Theology and Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies. The Jewish Studies library resources available in the University Library and the John Rylands Library are among the best in the country and include important archives and manuscripts. Additionally, the Centre houses the Bill Williams Library which includes rare items for the study of British Jewry. Students of the MA programme can specialise in antiquity or in the modern world, as well as combine course units dealing with different periods.

Outside the classes, the Centre for Jewish Studies environment makes available to MA students a wide-ranging programme of seminars by local and by visiting academics allowing them to keep abreast with recent research in a wide range of Jewish Studies sub-disciplines. At Manchester, students of Jewish Studies have the opportunity of participating in a rich and challenging learning experience.

For information about study costs, and how to apply online, see the programme profile of the MA in Religions and Theology. Information on funding opportunities is found on a separate page dedicated to Funding. For information about life as a postgraduate at the University of Manchester, see the Postgraduate Study website. For information regarding the benefits of studying at Manchester as a foreign student, see Study in the UK.

MA Entry Requirements

The profile pages of the  MA in Religions and Theology on the central University website will provide details on entry requirements.

Student Testimonials

"The MA in Jewish Studies was intellectually stimulating, and rigorous, and prepared me well for my doctoral studies. The Department of Religions and Theology provides a good learning environment, with a range of excellent courses available, and the university library's resources supported my research well." (Katharina Keim)

"The Centre for Jewish Studies offers an impressive range of course modules as part of their taught MA programme... I found that the Centre’s programme of research seminars and other events is a good way to make informal contact with researchers, which fosters a sense of being part of a thriving academic research community.  Manchester itself is a great place to live as it is a vibrant city which is home to a diverse range of communities; my initial plan was to return to London once I completed my MA, but I grew to love Manchester so I decided to stay." (Owen Power)

"The decision to return to university after pursuing a career in IT consultancy was not an easy one. My interest in Religious Studies, in particular Jewish history, Jewish philosophy and Jewish-Christian relations, had been awakened by a series of courses at other institutions. I was determined to take this interest to the next level but I did not want to abandon my career. Manchester provided the perfect environment. Firstly, the department was very supportive of my decision to study part-time over two years so that I could continue to work. Secondly, there was a lot of flexibility about the construction of a course to suit my own interests." (Simon Mayers)

"Manchester, one of the largest and growing Jewish communities in Europe, is very fortunate to have an excellent Centre for Jewish Studies on its doorstep. The department is small and friendly and it was a privilege for me personally to be taught by scholars with such international reputations. The range of courses available is impressive and the library facilities and collections available are admirable. I enjoyed my MA studies so much I stayed on for my PhD." (Aron Sterk)

Prof. Daniel Langton will be happy to answer specific enquiries about the course by email.