This two year course attempts to introduce students to classical Indian religion in a way which bases understanding on original sources and equips them to continue in the same vein.

Formally, the course is in two parts. The first, of five months, is an intensive study of the rudiments of Sanskrit and leads to a written examination at the end of March of students’ ability to translate prepared texts and their knowledge of grammar. Students are not allowed to proceed to the second part of the course unless they pass this examination.

In the second part of the course the student has regular classes in reading Sanskrit religious texts. There are four short lists of texts: Íaiva, Vai ˆava, Buddhist and what one may term mainstream; the student reads the texts in two of these. In the final examination there is one three-hour written paper in the linguistically based parts of the course. The paper is divided into two parts, which carry equal weight: translation from the prepared set texts, and unprepared translation from Sanskrit: one passage in epic Sanskrit and one from a typical commentary on a religious text.

In the final examination there are also two three-hour written papers on the history of classical Indian religion; the subject matter is divided more or less chronologically. To prepare for this, there are normally lectures in the first term of the course introducing the religions indigenous to India. In subsequent terms students are given regular tutorials, for many of which they prepare essays which they read out and discuss with their tutors. From time to time there are also other relevant lectures and seminars.

The earliest Buddhist texts are in Pali, but Pali is not examined and is not a compulsory part of the course. However, teaching in Pali is always available, and students who have this particular interest sometimes study the language and participate in Pali reading classes.

Besides the three written examinations already mentioned, students have either to offer a fourth written three-hour paper, on approaches to the study of Indian religion, or to write a thesis of up to 20,000 words. In practice most students have chosen the latter option. It is usual to write the thesis mostly during the vacations; it has to be handed in at the beginning of the final term. Tutors discuss with students the choice of topic and supply bibliography, and may criticise a first draft, but the final version of the thesis is entirely the student’s own work. If the student is subsequently admitted for a research degree, a successful M.Phil. thesis may form the basis of the doctoral dissertation.