Cambridge University is to introduce a pioneering new master's degree in Muslim-Jewish relations in 2012.

Yousef Meri, convenor of the one-year MPhil course, said: "It's the first postgraduate course of its kind specifically in the academic study of Muslim-Jewish relations. It's not a theological-based degree, it's mainly about the historical and contemporary encounters between Jews and Muslims.

Dr Meri is academic director of the the independent Centre for the Study of Muslim-Jewish Relations, which will help to teach the course.

The centre's involvement shows that "it is gaining international recognition in the field", he said.