The Pontifical Biblical Institute, founded in 1909 by Pope St. Pius X and entrusted to the Society of Jesus, is a center of higher studies in Sacred Scripture and related disciplines. The Institute is comprised of two faculties: the Biblical Faculty and the Faculty of Ancient Near Eastern Studies (also known as the «Oriental Faculty»). The Faculty of Ancient Near Eastern Studies grants the degrees of Licentiate and Doctorate in Oriental Languages.

1. Curriculum for the Licentiate in Ancient Near Eastern Studies

     The Licentiate Curriculum in the Faculty of Ancient Near Eastern Studies provides a comprehensive but flexible program to prepare the student for specialized research in the principal languages and cultures of the Ancient Near East. Precise information on specific areas treated each year is published in the annual course listings of the Pontifical Biblical Institute. The Faculty offers courses of the following languages: Akkadian, Arabic, Aramaic, Coptic, Egyptian, Hebrew, Hittite, Sumerian, Syriac, Ugaritic & Northwest Semitic inscriptions.

     The Licentiate curriculum can normally be completed during four years of study (240 ECTS), of which the first year is a preparatory year dedicated to acquiring the basic instruments for the three years that follow. At the end of this preparatory year the Faculty evaluates the student's prospects for completing the program. During the first year the status of the student is considered “extraordinary”, unless the student is waived from this first year under the terms below and can matriculate as an ordinary student in the program.

     The following reflects the basic curriculum stated in terms of the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). The ECTS is a student-centred system based on the student workload required to achieve the objectives of a program. 60 credits measure the workload of a full-time student during one academic year. Credits in ECTS can only be obtained after successful completion of the work required and appropriate assessment of the learning outcomes achieved. The workload reflected in the ECTS consists of the time required to complete all planned learning activities such as attending lectures, seminars, independent and private study, preparation of projects and examinations
It should be noted that the fields studied in the Faculty of Ancient Near Eastern Studies vary and specific adjustments may be necessary. A definitive program for each student will be set by the Director and approved by the Dean.

1.1. For a specialization in the fields of Hebrew, Ugaritic, Aramaic, or Syriac language and literature, the student is required to complete one year of propaedeutic training concentrating in Biblical Hebrew and Biblical Greek together with other tools necessary for this study. Students who pass the qualifying examinations of Hebrew and Greek administered by the Secretariat can be waived from this propaedeutic year. Total 60 ECTS.

After successful completion of the propaedeutic year (or its equivalent), the following three-year program of studies with a total of 180 ECTS is to be followed:

• Main language: a minimum of two semester courses at the elementary and intermediate (A-B levels) and 4 semester courses of advanced readings (C and Special 1-3 levels).Total 60 ECTS.
• Auxiliary disciplines directly related to the main language: history, religion and culture in the area of the main language. This is normally done in the form of a directed readings program. The Director may also consider courses not taken at the Pontifical Biblical Institute (including summer courses) as equivalent to any of these three areas. Total 30 ECTS.
• Second language and third language: a minimum of two semester courses in each (i.e. the A-B level courses). Total 40 ECTS.
• Other auxiliary disciplines: two semester courses as advised by the Director. The courses may also be taken elsewhere. Total 20 ECTS.
• Directed Paper: personal research, under the guidance of the Director. Total 30 ECTS.

1.2. For a specialization in other fields (e.g., Akkadian, Egyptian, Coptic language and literature), the program of the first year will be determined by the Director, who will also set up an individual program for the remaining three years structured like the above.

2. Bachelor and Master equivalences

     The Bachelor degree is not given separately. Yet those who have accumulated 180 ECTS toward the licentiate (incl. the first year) but have not completed (a) the A-B levels of the third language, (b) one auxiliary discipline, and (c) the Directed Paper (i.e., 60 ECTS less than the programmed 240 ECTS of the Licentiate) may request a certificate stating that the coursework completed is equivalent to the normal Bachelor program where it is offered.

     The Licentiate degree is equivalent to a Master (MA) degree with 60 ECTS/one year following a 180 ECTS/three year Bachelor's program where the BA and MA degrees are offered.

     After completing the Licentiate (or MA) degree with distinction, the student may apply to the doctoral program which begins with a year of directed research (60 ECTS). The content of the program is to be determined by the program Director and approved by the Dean. This research program is equivalent to the MPhil degree leading to a doctorate.

3. Prerequisites for admission

     The student should have completed the normal pre-requisites for admission to a university in the applicant's own country, and should have sufficient passive knowledge of English and Italian to follow courses in those languages. Authentic documentation, preferably full original transcripts, of studies are to be sent well in advance to the Secretariat. Photocopies of documents will be accepted only if authenticated. A decision on the student's acceptance to the Licentiate program is made by the Dean who evaluates each application and indicates the availability of a Director of Studies for the chosen field(s) of specialization.

4. Matriculation

     Applicants who have been accepted by the Dean are to matriculate in person in the Secretariat (entrance Piazza della Pilotta, 35) during the scheduled registration period. They are to bring:

• The Dean's attestation that the student has been accepted, stating the status as extraordinary or ordinary student.
• A letter of presentation or recommendation. Clerics and religious: from ecclesiastical superior; layperson: from a member of the clergy.
• two copies, typed or printed, of the application form (available from the Secretariat).
• two passport-size photographs.
• matriculation and semestral enrollment fee.

5. Credit for previous work

     Full and authenticated documentation of courses taken elsewhere for which credit is asked must be presented in person to the Dean who will evaluate individual cases with the Faculty. No credit for the advanced courses of the main language (C and Special courses) will be accepted toward the fulfillment of any degree program.

6. Registration

     Registration for courses is done separately from matriculation, in consultation with the student's Director, appointed at the time of matriculation. Instructions for registration are available from the Secretariat.

7. Residence at Rome

     All students enrolled in the curriculum must reside in Rome. The Institute does not provide lodgings.

8. Auditors (hospites)

     A limited number of auditors (students taking one or more courses not leading to a degree) may be admitted. These students pay the semestral registration fee and the individual course fee.

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