MA Antiquity: Classics and Ancient History pathway
Birmingham, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
30 Aug 2024*
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2024
TUITION FEES
GBP 10,530 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for UK students | 7 May 2024 for international students
** for UK full-time Students. £24,120 for International full-time students
Introduction
Immerse yourself in the advanced study of Greco-Roman civilization with our Antiquity MA: Classics and Ancient History pathway.
Modules emphasise independent interpretation of primary evidence, and encourage you to draw connections across historical periods, between different types of evidence (textual, archaeological, iconographic), and between different cultures.
This program offers an ideal opportunity to pursue your interests in the Greco-Roman world in greater depth and also provides an ideal foundation for further research at the doctoral level. All students take at least one classical language module, plus a general module on Research and Scholarship designed to introduce them to the professional skills required by an independent researcher. This is one of several pathways available on the Antiquity MA.
This is the degree for you if you enjoyed studying the ancient world as an undergraduate, and would now like to study Classics and Ancient History in greater depth and at a higher level; or if you want to explore this aspect of antiquity and it wasn’t included in your first degree.
Why Study this Course?
- Established expertise - the University of Birmingham has a distinguished tradition of Classical scholarship going back more than a hundred years.
- Flexibility - with such a range of expertise available, you will be supported to explore your specific interests, particularly through the dissertation.
- Exceptional learning resources– you will have access to a range of learning resources including environmental and material culture teaching collections, the Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology Museum, and the Danford Collection of African art and artefacts.
- Research strengths - The Classics department is ranked 8th in the UK in the Research Excellence Framework Exercise 2021 based on research rated 4*, according to Times Higher Education.
- Be a part of an exciting department – you will join a lively postgraduate community with many opportunities to enhance your learning from events, research seminars, and conferences.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarships to cover fees and/or maintenance costs may be available. To discover whether you are eligible for any award across the University, and to start your funding application, please visit the University's Postgraduate Funding Database.
International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships, or their home government.
Postgraduate Loans
Government-backed master loans are available to help UK and EU students to finance their studies. For those starting courses after 1 August 2020, loans are available of up to £11,836 for Masters students in all subject areas. Criteria, eligibility, repayment, and application information are available on the UK government website.
Curriculum
Core Modules
You will study a total of three core modules.
Research and Scholarship in Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology
This module ensures that students across the range of sub-disciplines in Classics, Ancient History, and Archaeology acquire the necessary generic and specific skills needed for further research. These will include advanced bibliographic skills, familiarity with theoretical and critical approaches and schools of thought, and technical skills such as techniques of epigraphy or numismatics where appropriate. Delivery will take place in seminar formats, with sub-disciplines offering different break-out sessions as needed.
Your remaining two core modules will be language modules, at least one of which should be Greek or Latin. Your language options typically include:
- Greek (Beginner/Advanced)
- Latin (Beginner/Advanced)
- Egyptian Language
Optional Modules
You will choose three optional modules, at least two of which should relate to Classics and Ancient History. Options available typically include:
- Empire and Identity
- Herodotus and Ancient Worlds
- Geographical Information Science and Spatial Analysis
- Material Culture
- Creating Europe: Complex Societies 1000 BC-AD 1000
- Numismatics for Research and in Museums
- Archaeological World Heritage
Dissertation
In addition to your taught modules, you will conduct a piece of independent research with the support of a supervisor, culminating in a 12,000-word dissertation.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Your degree will provide excellent preparation for your future career, but this can also be enhanced by a range of employability support services offered by the University and the College of Arts and Law.
The University's Careers Network provides expert guidance and activities, especially for postgraduates, which will help you achieve your career goals. The College of Arts and Law also has a dedicated careers and employability team that offers tailored advice and a programme of College-specific career events.
You will be encouraged to make the most of your postgraduate experience and will have the opportunity to:
- Receive one-to-one career advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique, whether you are looking for a career inside or outside of academia
- Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations
- Attend an annual programme of careers fairs, skills workshops and conferences, including bespoke events for postgraduates in the College of Arts and Law
- Take part in a range of activities to demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers and enhance your CV
What's more, you will be able to access our full range of career support for up to 2 years after graduation.
Postgraduate Employability: Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology
Birmingham's Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology graduates develop a broad range of transferable skills including familiarity with research methods; the ability to manage large quantities of information from diverse sources; the ability to organise information in a logical and coherent manner; the expertise to write clearly and concisely and to tight deadlines; critical and analytical ability; the capacity for argument, debate and speculation; and the ability to base conclusions on statistical research.
Many of our postgraduates enter roles for which their programme has especially prepared them, such as museum, heritage and archaeological posts. Elsewhere, a range of professions are undertaken by our graduates, including fundraising, publishing, teaching and accountancy.
Over the past five years, 91% of MA Antiquity postgraduates were in work and/or further study six months after graduation.
Program delivery
The course is delivered through a range of teaching and learning methods, including lectures and seminars. You will also receive one-to-one supervision to support you in the development of your dissertation.
Depending on the modules you take, you can typically expect six to nine hours of classroom time per week, two or three per module. Each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework, and assignment preparation.
Teaching Year
We have three teaching terms per year, the autumn, spring, and summer terms. Term dates can be found on our website.
As a full-time student, you will typically take three modules in each of the first two terms, followed by your dissertation. If you are a part-time student, you will typically take three modules across each year, followed by your dissertation.
Each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework, and assignment preparation.