MA Classics and Ancient History: The University of Manchester

Course description

The MA in Classics and Ancient History is extremely flexible and wide-ranging. In this it reflects the broad, multidisciplinary nature of the subject area, which includes Latin and Greek language, the history of Greek and Roman antiquity from archaic times to the beginning of the Middle Ages, and Greek and Roman literature, culture, art, and philosophy.

The MA is designed to introduce students to advanced study in their chosen field and to equip them with the skills required for doctoral research. The programme and most modules within it allow students to tailor their advanced study and research-preparation to their interests, needs and existing knowledge.

Apart from the thesis, the only compulsory unit of the four required is that devoted to research training, although one of the other three is normally a language, ancient or modern, at the appropriate level. Recent MA dissertation topics include:.

Three specialist pathways through the MA programme deserve special mention: the 'City of Rome' and the 'Athens and Attica' pathways involve taking a course unit at the British School at Rome or at Athens, respectively, while our new 'Greek Myth and Society' pathway focuses on the relationship of Greek myth to Greek culture and society, in particular its relationship to Greek religion. The compulsory units making up this pathway are `Greek Myth: Society and Psychology' and `Greek Religion and Society'.

It is also worth emphasising that students do not have to take any one of the pathways: they can choose their optional course units 'a la carte' as part of a general MA in Classics and Ancient History.

Career opportunities

This non-vocational Masters degree teaches and develops a wealth of transferable skills, and thus enables students to keep open a very wide range of career options. Recent graduates have gone on to vocational MAs (e.g. in Gallery & Museum Studies), to PhDs in classics or ancient history, to teaching, to contract researching, or to work in local or central government, commerce or industry.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview: Applicants should hold a good, Upper Second Class Honours degree, or its overseas equivalent.

English language: Students with a first language other than English must hold a minimum score of IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 600 (paper based) or 250 (computer based).