Master's Degree in Ancient Cultures and Languages
Barcelona, Spain
Master degree
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
, Spanish
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
EUR 19 / per credit *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* 19.37 euros per credit (82 euros for students who are not EU nationals and do not currently reside in Spain). Fees for the academic year 2025-2026
Key Summary
The master's degree in Ancient Cultures and Languages is unique in Europe, due to its specific character and course structure. It provides instruction in the three fundamental ancient languages ' Greek, Latin and Hebrew ' and offers the chance to specialize in the cultures of two geographical areas of the ancient world, the Mediterranean and the Middle East, which were immersed in a process of 'fruitful interaction' for many centuries. The course plots a course from the origins of Mesopotamian civilization to the present day, taking in the languages, scripts and cultural manifestations of the ancient world.
The languages of instruction for this program are Spanish 20%; Catalan 80%.
Applicants for this master's degree should have an interest in studying the ancient cultures and languages of the Mediterranean and Near East and their reception and continued influence in later periods.
Applicants should be aware that the key to interpreting the cultures of the ancient world lies in the mastery of ancient languages and the study of original texts. As a consequence, students need to be willing to work hard to master these languages and draw from their readings the information needed for them to find relationships with other manifestations of culture (religion, art, mythology, science) in order to obtain a deep and comprehensive knowledge of the ancient world.
Applicants will also benefit from an immediate appreciation of the importance of understanding past in order to interpret today's reality. As a result, students are recommended to have previous studies in philology (especially Classics and Semitic languages), history, archaeology, philosophy and theology, with special training in Greek, Latin, Hebrew and the history of religions of the Ancient Near East.
Students will acquire an initial level of compulsory, in-depth knowledge of the Semitic or Indo-European languages of the regions, their writing systems (from cuneiform to the alphabet) and their literary systems, and learn to appreciate their differences and similarities within a common framework.
Then students will complete their training in one of these two great cultural areas by choosing between the specializations Classics and The Bible and the Ancient Near East, acquiring a mastery of the relevant languages (Greek and Latin or Hebrew and Near Eastern Languages).
Students will have direct access to these cultures' works of literature and art situated in their historical, anthropological and social contexts and they will gain an understanding of how the legacy of the ancient world has been received and perpetuated in our own culture.
Students will develop a rigorous expertise in the sciences of antiquity.
The University of Barcelona consistently ranks among the top institutions nationally, in Europe, and worldwide. Its performance in the most prestigious international rankings reflects excellence in teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and global engagement.
- Ranked 1st nationally in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU)
- Ranked 1st nationally in the THE (Times Higher Education) World University Rankings
- Ranked 1st nationally and 68th in Europe in the QS World University Rankings
- Ranked 1st nationally and 27th in Europe in the Best Global Universities Rankings
Studying at the University of Barcelona means joining a world-class academic community recognized for its innovation and impact.
- Professional research, generating knowledge in the fields of classical philology (Greek and Latin), Hebrew, Assyriology and Indo-European studies, as well as in all fields related to the humanities (other languages, philosophy, history, archaeology, theology, etc.)
- Teaching in the areas of study covered by the master's degree syllabus and in other related areas, at all educational levels.
- Professional cultural activities in areas of the related to the area of humanities, from editorial work, journalism and the organization and promotion of exhibitions and festivals, to participation in social-political projects relating to the Mediterranean region and the Middle East.