University College London (UCL)
Classics MA
London, United Kingdom
MA
DURATION
5 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
The Classics MA program offers students a chance to explore ancient Greek and Latin languages, literature, history, and philosophy. It is designed for those who want a deep understanding of the classical world, combining language skills with cultural and historical insights. Students can choose to focus on either Greek or Latin or take a mix of both, depending on their interests. The course involves a mix of taught modules, seminars, and independent study, helping students develop strong analytical and research abilities. It's suitable for those wanting to continue academic work or deepen their knowledge for cultural, historical, or professional reasons.
The program emphasizes a flexible learning experience, with opportunities to explore historical contexts, literary texts, and philosophical ideas from to the ancient world. Students have access to excellent resources, including expert staff and extensive library collections, supporting their research projects. The course aims to not only improve language proficiency but also to foster critical thinking about the civilizations of Greece and Rome. This combination prepares students for careers in academia, education, publishing, or cultural organizations, while also building skills applicable in a range of other fields. The program encourages independent thought within a supportive environment, helping students make the most of their graduate journey.
UCL Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available to postgraduate students, including our UCL Masters Bursary for UK students and our UCL Global Masters Scholarship for international students. You can click the link below to search via the scholarships finder for awards that you might be eligible for. Your academic department will also be able to provide you with more information about funding.
External Scholarships
Online aggregators like Postgraduate Studentships, Scholarship Search, Postgraduate Funding and International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search contain information on a variety of external schemes.
If you have specific circumstances or ethnic or religious background it is worth searching for scholarships/bursaries/grants that relate to those things. Some schemes are very specific.
Funding for disabled students
Master's students who have a disability may be able to get extra funding for additional costs they incur to study.
Teaching and learning
The classes are taught as seminars which include presentations. These are supported by independent learning.
The programme is taught in small seminars or classes, rarely exceeding twelve participants. Students are expected to prepare for class each week, typically by reading preparatory material and texts in the original Greek or Latin or ancient Middle Eastern language. Student performance is assessed through coursework essays, unseen examination, and the dissertation.
For full-time students, typical contact hours are around 8 to 10 hours per week. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.
In the First and Second Terms, full-time students can typically expect between 8 and 10 contact hours per teaching week through a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops, and tutorials. In the Third Term students will attend workshops and presentations concerning study for their dissertations, and in that term and the summer period they will complete their own dissertation research, keeping regular contact with their dissertation supervisors.
Modules
Full-time
During the programme, you will undertake a compulsory module on the research methods, skills and resources needed to study Classics at postgraduate level. These include bibliographic, digital and library resources, appropriate methodologies, writing and presentation skills, and advice on choosing your dissertation topic.
Across the First and Second Term, you will also advance your knowledge of Greek and/or Latin and/or ancient Middle Eastern language and literature through the study of genres, individual works, themes, concepts or approaches, where texts are read in the original. You may also study the ancient world more broadly, such as its history, art or thought and its reception in later cultures. You may also study, subject to the approval of the programme tutor, some topics in non-classical fields that can enrich your understanding of Classics, such as Translation, Film, Comparative Literature or Medieval and Renaissance Studies.
In the Third Term, you will receive further training in presentation skills and the writing of a dissertation. During this term and across the rest of the programme, you will plan and produce a dissertation on an aspect of Classics that utilises advanced knowledge of at least one of the classical languages and requires independent research on which you will be guided by an academic supervisor.
Part-time
During the programme, you will undertake a compulsory module on the research methods, skills and resources needed to study Classics at postgraduate level. These include bibliographic, digital and library resources, appropriate methodologies, writing and presentation skills, and advice on choosing your dissertation topic.
Across First and Second Years, you will also advance your knowledge of Greek and/or Latin and/or ancient Middle Eastern language and literature through the study of genres, individual works, themes, concepts or approaches, where texts are read in the original. You may also study the ancient world more broadly, such as its history, art or thought and its reception in later cultures. You may also study, subject to the approval of the programme tutor, some topics in non-classical fields that can enrich your understanding of Classics, such as Translation, Film, Comparative Literature or Medieval and Renaissance Studies.
In the Second Year you will receive further training in presentation skills and the writing of a dissertation. Across the rest of the programme, you will plan and produce a dissertation on an aspect of Classics that utilises advanced knowledge of at least one of the classical languages and requires independent research on which you will be guided by an academic supervisor.
Flexible
During the programme, you will undertake a compulsory module on the research methods, skills and resources needed to study Classics at postgraduate level. These include bibliographic, digital and library resources, appropriate methodologies, writing and presentation skills, and advice on choosing your dissertation topic.
Across First and Second Years, you will also advance your knowledge of Greek and/or Latin and/or ancient Middle Eastern language and literature through the study of genres, individual works, themes, concepts or approaches, where texts are read in the original. You may also study the ancient world more broadly, such as its history, art or thought and its reception in later cultures. You may also study, subject to the approval of the programme tutor, some topics in non-classical fields that can enrich your understanding of Classics, such as Translation, Film, Comparative Literature or Medieval and Renaissance Studies.
In your Final Year, you will receive further training in presentation skills and the writing of a dissertation. Across the rest of the programme, you will plan and produce a dissertation on an aspect of Classics that utilises advanced knowledge of at least one of the classical languages and requires independent research on which you will be guided by an academic supervisor.
Compulsory modules
- MA Classics: Research Methods and Dissertation
Optional modules
- Introductory Sanskrit
- Greek Drama 1
- Approaches to the Reception of the Classical World
- Ancient Rome on Film: From the 1950s to the 21st Century
- Ancient Greece on Stage
- Race: Antiquity and its Legacy
- Greek Papyrology
- Virgil
- Body and Senses
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MA in Classics.
What this course will give you
UCL Greek & Latin is one of the most renowned centres for postgraduate study and research in the ancient world, with a large staff of international experts in Greek and Latin literature, languages of the ancient Middle East, papyrology, historical linguistics, philosophy, ancient history and classical reception. Its MA programmes open a pathway to a wide variety of careers.
The department is very well resourced for the study of the ancient world and UCL's central location provides unrivalled access to the British Museum, British Library, Senate House Library, Warburg Institute and the Institute of Classical Studies.
The foundation of your career
The Classics MA offers a wide range of skills highly valued by employers, such as advanced oral communication; the ability to abstract and synthesise information, and to construct and manage arguments; independent and critical thinking on difficult issues; IT skills, including the ability to access and evaluate data; and good time management, organisational, and planning skills.
Employability
The MA is an ideal springboard for a PhD programme, and students will find unique opportunities to acquire skills in the handling of documentary evidence particularly valuable for further research. Some students go on to pursue research and further study at UCL or other institutions. Others have developed their skills in order to enter careers in teaching, publishing, the media, heritage legal, or PR sectors.*
*Graduate Outcomes Survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of UK and EU graduates in the 2017 - 2022 cohorts.
Networking
Additional activities are available both within the department, the Institute of Classical Studies and the wider UCL community to help you to develop your employability through public talks, seminars and other networking opportunities.
The wealth of departmental seminars, colloquiums, symposiums and student-organised work-in-progress sessions give ample opportunities to present research, receive feedback and participate in discussion.
Furthermore, the department’s membership to the University of London’s Institute of Classical Studies enables participation in intercollegiate conferences and workshops where the above opportunities can be experienced with a wider audience.