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Immerse yourself in the advanced study of Ancient Greek and Roman civilisations. This course lets you specialise in the area of antiquity that interests you most.
Study the ancient world in greater depth and prepare for a career in areas such as cultural heritage or further academic research.
The course runs over 12 months full-time. You can also study this programme on a part-time basis.
September - December (11 weeks)
Full-time students normally take three modules per term in the first two terms.
There are two hours of seminar time per module per week, and an emphasis on guided independent learning.
One-third of your degree is your dissertation. You begin planning and submit a proposal for your dissertation during term one.
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Explore connections across different cultures and historical periods, and between different types of evidence (textual, archaeological, iconographic).
You’ll gain the tools to make independent interpretations of primary evidence and study at least one classical language module, giving you the skills to immerse yourself fully in ancient sources. You’ll also develop the key research skills to manage your own independent research project confidently.
Learn research skills and explore ancient worlds.
Study Greek, Latin or Egyptian as part of your degree.
Gain practical experience handling objects in our collections.
Learn from highly qualified and experienced experts involved in current regional, national and international research. You’ll also join an active postgraduate community. Take part in regular events and academic conferences, enabling you to enhance your research and presenting skills and make valuable connections for your future.
At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field, offering valuable expertise in Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology.
The programme comprises 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation. Modules run for one term, and each module involves a two-hour weekly seminar which you’ll need to attend.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
The following must be taken:
Module title | Credits |
---|---|
Dissertation (CAHA MA) | 60 |
Research Skills & Scholarship | 20 |
Students choose 100 credits of optional modules, 40 credits of which must be ancient language modules and at least 20 credits of either Greek or Latin.
All optional lists are indicative; not all modules will run each year due to staff availability.
Students choose 40 credits from the below ancient language modules.
Language module selection will depend on previous experience/qualifications, e.g. students with no previous experience can take LM Greek 1 and 2, OR LM Latin 1 and 2. Students with A Level Greek and Latin (or equivalent) can take LM Greek 3 and LM Greek Texts, OR LM Latin 3 and LM Latin Texts. Students with post A Level Greek and Latin (or equivalent) will normally take LM Greek Texts AND LM Latin Texts, but could also combine LM Egyptian Language 1 AND Either LM Greek texts OR LM Latin Texts.
Module title | Credits |
---|---|
Egyptian Language 1 | 20 |
Egyptian Language 2 | 20 |
Greek 1 | 20 |
Greek 2 | 20 |
Greek 3 | 20 |
Greek Texts | 20 |
Latin 1 | 20 |
Latin 2 | 20 |
Latin 3 | 20 |
Latin Texts | 20 |
Students choose a further 60 credits of optional modules, of which 60 credits normally to be taken in Classics/Ancient History, OR 40 credits from Classics/Ancient History, plus 20 credits from any CAHA modules student is suitably qualified to take; or 20 credits optional modules from another Department/School, taken from within modules offered by the College of Arts and Law.
This list is indicative; not all modules will run each year due to staff availability.
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
in Classics, Archaeology, History or another relevant subject
We normally require a 2:1 degree, or equivalent, in a discipline relevant to the selected pathway, such as Classics, Archaeology or History.
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:
Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.
Full-time
Part-time
We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.
The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.
Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.
Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
By studying a postgraduate degree in Classics, Ancient History or Archaeology at Birmingham, you’ll develop transferable skills suited to a range of career paths. These skills include the ability to write to tight deadlines, the ability to present a strong argument, plus the ability to research and analyse information.
Our Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology graduates enter many roles, including:
Employers our Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology graduates have worked for include:
The University is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits [The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers report].
Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique.
Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.