Oriental Studies
Average intake: Three - four
Tutors and Lecturers
- Dr Mohamed-Salah Omri, Tutorial Fellow in Modern Arabic
Additional Fellows
- Professor Gerard van Gelder, Laudian Professorial Fellow in Arabic
- Dr Paul Dresch, Fellow by Special Election in Social Anthropology
- Dr Zuzanna Olszewska, Junior Research Fellow in Oriental Studies
- Dr Robin Ostle, Emeritus Research Fellow in Modern Arabic
More about Oriental Studies at St John's
- St. John's has links with Oriental Studies, and Arabic in particular, extending back to the 17th century when the current Professorship in Arabic was established by William Laud (President of St. John's 1611-1621). St. John's is unique amongst Oxford Colleges in having both the Laudian Professor of Arabic and a Tutoral Fellow in Modern Arabic.
- Middle Eastern Studies in Oxford is one of the strongest departments in the country and in 2008 was judged to be the best such Department in the UK.
- St. John's is situated very close to the Oriental Institute, where there is an excellent library and where most of the lectures and classes take place.
- Our students play a full and active part in University societies, such as the Middle East Society.
- Languages such as Arabic, Chinese or Japanese are studied from scratch and prior knowledge of the language is not expected. While some experience in learning languages is helpful, applicants should demonstrate in particular powerful motivation for studying these languages and an excellent academic record.
- Graduates with good degrees in Oriental Studies are much sought after—such is the geopolitical and economic importance of languages such as Arabic, Chinese and Japanese. A wide range of careers is available in both the public and private sector.
