Oriental Studies at Downing

Oriental Studies has to be one of the most unusual courses to take in Cambridge. You will be in a minority not just in Downing, but in the whole university, but that also makes you unique and memorable – you can bet after fresher’s week, when you’re still trying to sort out the NatScis from the medics, people are very likely to remember what you’re doing, and therefore remember you.

As it stands, Oriental Studies encompasses 9 languages, plus various combinations (though this is only recommended for the highly, highly ambitious). You can choose to study from:

Assyriology; Early Civilizations of the Aegean and Near East; Chinese Studies; Egyptology; Hebrew Studies; Aramaic; Japanese Studies; Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies; South Asian Studies.

Classes will be small (the biggest this year, Chinese, stands at an impressive 10), not just because fewer people apply, but also because the department is just as selective as any other faculty in the university, and you need to be able to show genuine enthusiasm for your chosen degree – Oriental Studies is by no means an easy option to get into Cambridge! However, this means not only much more attention from lecturers, and a much greater chance to talk to them and get help with your work, but also a brilliant chance to get to know all your classmates. While larger subjects such as medicine will fill lecture halls with hundreds of people, meaning it’s harder to meet anyone outside Downing, Oriental Studies allows you to make friends outside college much more easily, therefore immediately expanding your social network – always a good thing!

The small size of classes also makes Oriental Studies much more faculty based compared to other subjects, where supervisions will be held within college, so you never feel too hemmed in by college life.

Compared to many other universities, courses in Oriental Studies at Cambridge are not completely language-based, and tend to offer a much greater chance to get to know aspects of history, society, religion, politics and literature of your chosen country/countries–ideal for anyone taking the course because of a interest in a country or people as a whole. There’s even a film studies option – though don’t let this be a deciding factor for you, as that option only encompasses certain languages each year. The first year will be mainly language, giving you a chance to get to grips with it, but the balance evens out over the following three years. Another advantage is that first year exams don’t count towards your final degree – giving you a chance to get your bearings without worrying too much about your exam marks.

ow for the negative points (it has to be done!). The size of Oriental Studies means there’s not likely to be more than one or two of you in a year in Downing (right now there are only three of us in the whole college!). This makes you unique, and gives you greater opportunities to meet people in other subjects, but can also be a little lonely, especially when you’re struggling with homework that has to be in the next day and there’s no one around to help! Also, the size of the faculty means you may find it a little outdated in some respects compared to other faculties (blackboards and chalk anyone?).

Page last updated 24 Apr 2006 (bml25)