Late Antique and Byzantine Studies MA

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This MA offers students the opportunity to specialise in an exciting and multi-faceted field of study that covers the history and culture of the Mediterranean world during the long millennium from the foundation of Constantinople (modern Istanbul) in 324 to the fall of the Byzantine empire in 1453.

About this degree

Students gain a thorough grounding in key aspects of and approaches to late antique and Byzantine studies. They acquire necessary research skills (ancient languages, palaeography, epigraphy, papyrology) and develop their critical and conceptual understanding of the field through a variety of disciplines (history, literature, material culture, philosophy).

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of one core language or research skills module (40 credits), optional modules (80 credits), and a research dissertation (60 credits).

_{Compulsory modules}

Either one language acquisition module, or a research skills module (40 credits). These include:

• Beginners Ancient Greek for Research
• Intermediate Ancient Greek for Research
• Beginners Latin for Research
• Intermediate Latin
• Sources and Methods in Ancient History
• Greek Epigraphy
• Greek Papyrology
• Latin Epigraphy
• Medieval Latin Literature

_{Optional modules}

Optional modules will be finalised in Spring 2018. Please contact the department for more information. The following optional modules were available in 2017/18 and this is an indicative list only:

• Byzantium and the First Crusade
• Byzantium and the Fourth Crusade
• Byzantium & the West, A. D. 800-1000
• Cities of God: making the Late Antique City
• Codes and Practice: The World of Roman Law
• Cyprus from Late Antiquity to the Renaissance
• The Empire of Constantinople
• Homer's Legacy
• Identity and Power in Medieval Europe, AD 500-1300
• The Late Roman and Early Byzantine City
• Living in Byzantium: Material Culture and Built Environment
• The Making of the Christian Empire, AD 284-425
• Medieval Papacy
• Philosophy under the Roman Empire
• The Reign of Constantine I

_{Dissertation/report}

All students attend the Introduction to Byzantium seminar, leading to an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of up to 12,000 words.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of seminars, lectures, workshops and library visits. Assessment is through unseen examinations, coursework essays and the dissertation.

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 is subject to change.

Funding

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

Careers

Graduates of the programme are equipped with the skills necessary for further doctoral study in this field. The programme also leads to careers in research or teaching, cultural management, general management, civil service and banking. 

Employability

Debates, small group seminars and tutorials help students to acquire strong presentation and negotiation skills for their future career. Likewise the analytical and research skills gained by students on this programme are highly valued by employers from a range of industries. There are many additional activities available, both within the department and the wider UCL community, to help students focus on employability skills whilst they are here, for example, departmental careers talks and networking opportunities with history alumni.

Why study this degree at UCL?

UCL History enjoys an outstanding international reputation for its research and teaching.

This intercollegiate programme is taught jointly with King's College London and Royal Holloway, University of London, and students benefit from the international expertise and wealth of resources that the three colleges have to offer.

Located in Bloomsbury, UCL History is just a few minutes' walk to the British Library, the British Museum and the research institutes of the University of London, including the Warburg Institute and the Institute of Historical Research. UCL is ideally located at the heart of various historical societies and academic communities.

Department: History

Applications

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £75 for online applications and £100 for paper applications. Further information can be found at: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.

Who can apply?

The programme is suitable for students with a humanities or social science undergraduate degree who wish to gain the skills necessary for further research in this field.

Application deadlines

26 July 2019

For more information see our Applications page.

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What are we looking for?

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

• why you want to study Late Antique and Byzantine Studies at graduate level
• why you want to study Late Antique and Byzantine Studies at UCL
• what particularly attracts you to this programme
• how your academic background meets the demands of a challenging academic environment
• where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Visit the Late Antique and Byzantine Studies MA page on the University College London website for more details!