The course consists of instruction in the history and institutions of the Jews and in three specialised areas of Jewish studies which involve close study of particular types of primary texts. The course is examined at the end of the sixth term by four three-hour papers and by a thesis of not more than 30,000 words.

The course is taught by a mixture of tutorials and classes. Tutorials consist normally of one-to-one discussions with your tutor and written work produced by yourself. The general paper on Jewish history and institutions is taught entirely by a series of weekly tutorials (usually eight) in this manner. The classes provide instruction in the translation and interpretation of most but not necessarily all of the set texts which you are required to study for your specialised papers. General questions about these texts are discussed in tutorials.