Classics - MA

This intercollegiate MA is taught in collaboration with King's College London and Royal Holloway, University of London. The programme draws on the wealth of expertise across the three colleges and students benefit from full access to all courses. The programme attracts students from Europe and North America as well as the UK.

Degree information

The programme enables students to study in depth key aspects of the languages, literatures and cultures of ancient Greece and Rome (and their reception). It equips students with the tools necessary for further research including training in the use of digital resources online, library catalogues and archives to develop their critical and conceptual understanding.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of a research methods module (non credit-bearing), three taught modules (120 credits) and a research dissertation (60 credits).

Core modules
-Research Methods

Optional modules - choose three modules in the following areas of study:
-Language
-Literature
-Reception
-Religion and Philosophy
-History
-Art and Archaeology
-Late Antique and Byzantine Studies

Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project in classical language, literature, thought or the classical tradition. The project culminates in a dissertation of 12,000 words.

Teaching and 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. Student performance is assessed through coursework essays, unseen examination, and the dissertation.

Careers

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. Many students go on to pursue research at UCL and in other institutions; others have developed their skills in teaching, journalism, cultural management or the financial sector.

Employability
The MA in Classics 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 electronic data); and good time management, organisational, and planning skills. Students go on to employment in many sectors including advertising, publishing, education, law, finance, libraries and museums, and the culture industries.

Why study this degree at UCL?

UCL Greek & Latin is recognised as one of the leading international centres for postgraduate study and research in the ancient world, with a large staff of international experts in Greek and Latin literature, papyrology, ancient history, and classical art and archaeology.

UCL's central location provides easy access to an unrivalled range of resources for the study of the ancient world. UCL's excellent research facilities include the library of the Institute of Archaeology and the Edwards Library of Egyptology, while the British Museum, British Library, Senate House Library, Warburg Institute and the Institute of Classical Studies are all nearby.