MA Classics and Ancient History

Find out what it's like to study at Manchester by visiting us on one of our open days .

You should include a personal statement (no more than 500 words) that demonstrates your understanding of the subject and your motivation for wanting to study the programme.

If your academic background is not directly related to the programme, you should supply an academic-standard writing sample on a subject related to the programme.

If English is not your native language, then you should provide an academic-standard writing sample in English directly related to the subject.

For more advice on the application process, please visit our  Applying  page.

Our MA Classics and Ancient History is flexible and wide-ranging.

It reflects the broad, multidisciplinary nature of the subject, 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, philosophy, and culture.

The course is designed to introduce you to advanced study in your chosen field and equip you with the skills required for doctoral research.

The course and most units within it allow you to tailor your advanced study and research-preparation to your interests, needs and existing knowledge.

We also offer a specialist route through the MA, the City of Rome pathway. This pathway involves taking a course unit at the British School at Rome, for which you prepare by studying a course on Roman social and urban history.

We expect all students to study Greek or Latin at an appropriate level. However, no existing knowledge of Latin or Greek is required, and we welcome students who want to begin their study of the ancient languages during their MA.

For any queries related to the course, please contact Dr Ina Berg .

On successful completion of this MA, you will be able to:

• demonstrate the enhancement of previously acquired skills at a more critical, reflective, and sophisticated level, especially skills involving synthesising information from a variety of sources, historical and/or literary interpretation, exercising independent and critical judgement;
• understand and respect the 'otherness' of the past by developing specialist knowledge about one or more aspect of Graeco-Roman civilisation;
• describe, analyse, and assess ancient sources, including (as appropriate) literary, non-literary, visual, and material evidence;
• design and complete a substantial piece of independent research;
• work effectively as an autonomous scholar;
• understand complex problems and communicate them clearly in oral and written form, with the help, where appropriate, of visual or graphic aids.

City of Rome pathway 

You can take a specialist route through the MA, the City of Rome pathway.

This pathway involves taking a course unit at the British School at Rome, for which you prepare by studying a course on Roman social and urban history.

You will learn through a variety of teaching methods, depending on the units you take. These can include seminars, eLearning and one-to-one sessions.

Taught units involve at least 20 contact hours consisting of student-led and tutor-led discussion, guidance and planning sessions.

You may (with the permission of the Course Director) take a Directed Reading course unit (typically delivered in six 'classroom' hours). These units come in three slightly different forms: (1) a personalised independent study unit, on a topic of your choice, (2) an enhanced Level 3 course unit, in which you attend the scheduled lectures and seminars, but you receive additional seminars at a more advanced level, and (3) a small-group (3-6 students) independent study unit on a specific advertised topic. You must apply to the Postgraduate Course Director if you wish to be considered for one of these units.

Taught units are usually assessed by extended essay, but assessment might also include oral presentations, conference posters, commentary exercises and (particularly for language units) formal examinations.

You will also write a dissertation of 12,000 words.

Of special significance for classicists and ancient historians are the impressive collections of papyri, medieval manuscripts and early printed books held at The John Rylands Library.

The library boasts 12,500 books printed between 1475 and 1640 (including the second largest collection of works printed by Caxton), and around 45,000 printed between 1641 and 1700.

The Manchester Museum houses one of the UK's most important collections, including artefacts of particular relevance to ancient historians.

We have our own collection of classical texts, translations and reference works, housed in a recently refurbished study room, which is always available for use.

Find out more on the Facilities page.

This non-vocational master's degree teaches and develops a wealth of transferable skills, and enables students to keep a very wide range of career options open.

Recent graduates have gone on to vocational MAs (e.g. in Gallery and Museum Studies), PhDs in Classics or Ancient History, teaching, contract researching or a wide range of careers in local or central government, commerce or industry.

The University has its own dedicated Careers Service that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate. At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability .