The MSt in Oriental Studies at Oxford is aimed at intending doctoral students who need some additional training before commencing their doctoral studies. It is designed for students who hold a BA in the same field as that of their proposed research, or one closely related. The precise content of the course followed by students is fixed by their supervisor in consultation with the students themselves in order to provide the most useful training for them. For those wishing to learn a language these are normally taught in classes. For those wishing to concentrate on historical issues, these may be taught primarily in regular tutorials for which students are expected to write essays. Evaluation of the course takes place entirely during the third term, through a combination of essays, examination papers and a dissertation.