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Classics (MA) concentrates on the literature and culture of the Greco-Roman world in the original language. If you wish to develop both Classical languages, then an MA in Classics is the degree for you. Classics degrees concentrate on the Greek and Latin languages at advanced level, as well as the literature of the ancient world.
Existing knowledge of either Greek or Latin at advanced level is an entrance requirement for the MA in Classics. Applicants are further expected to have a good knowledge of the second language. This will allow students on the MA Classics to focus on the analysis of the literature of the Greco-Roman world in its historical and cultural contexts.
For students without prior or sufficient knowledge of Greek and/or Latin there is the possibility to study one or both languages on our Postgraduate Certificates/Diplomas (PG Dip/Cert) in Greek and Latin, in preparation for entering the Classics MA at a later stage.
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Tuition Fees 2023/24:
Home: £7,800
Tuition Fees 2022/23:
Overseas (distance/online): £10,000
Fees are for the whole course.
Why choose this course?
The MA in Classics will have a special appeal to those students who wish to continue the study of Latin and Greek at advanced levels. Providing our students with a range of learning opportunities and excellent teaching is the primary aim of our postgraduate programmes in Classics. We employ a range of innovative methods and approaches that enhance our students’ learning, thus preparing them for the world of work or for further academic research at the doctoral level.
Distance Learning
All our degrees are offered distance/online Every student has access to all module materials, including reading lists, on the Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle). All modules are taught by our lecturers and are designed to be accessible and friendly to learning at a distance. Many of the modules are delivered in a blended fashion with the use of video and audio presentations by the lecturers on each individual topic.
Our iHumanities pages will give you an impression of the excellent distance learning experience in Classics at UWTWSD.
What you will learn
The MA Classics offers you the opportunity to concentrate on the ancient Greek and Latin languages at an advanced level, as well as the literature of the ancient world. You can continue your study of ancient Greek and Latin through in-depth study of authors and genres, primarily in the original language, but also in translation.
Classics have been taught at our Lampeter campus since the opening of St David's College in 1822, and have been offered via distance study since 2001. The Roderic Bowen Library and Archives on the Lampeter campus provides access to an excellent range of electronic academic resources, including more than 1,000 Classics e-books, 70 Classics e-journals, and a number of specialised Classics databases.
In Part One, each module is worth 30 credits and, in addition to the compulsory module 'HPAH7011 Theory and Methodology for the Study of the Ancient World', students have a choice from the list of optional modules noted below. Students must complete 120 credits in Part One.
In Part Two, students are given the opportunity to research in detail a topic that has particularly appealed to them and write an extended dissertation (for 60 credits). They will be allocated a supervisor to help guide them through their dissertations.
Year A/Year B-System
We operate a Year A/Year B system which means that some modules are only offered every other year, while others are offered in every year.
This system allows students who wish to study full-time to plan their study start at the appropriate academic year, while part-time students can plan their studies according to the modules available in the course of their degree.
Please see 'Module Topics' for a list of available modules.
The assessment is on the student’s own subject of choice in relation to each module, always in consultation with the relevant tutor. Most modules are assessed by long essays, but some modules are assessed by alternative means, such as conference-style presentations. It is essential that distance learners have a good internet access, as well as use of computer facilities; the university offers all distance students individual support in accessing material from home.
Part I (PG Cert, PG Dip & MA)
Modules taught in every academic year:
- HPAH7011 Theory and Methodology for the Study of the Ancient World (30 credits; compulsory)
- HPLA7013 Intensive Latin I (30 credits; optional)
- HPGR7013 Intensive Greek I (30 credits; optional)
- HPLA7014 Intensive Latin II (30 credits; optional)
- HPGR7014 Intensive Greek II (30 credits; optional).
Modules expected to be taught in Year A (2020/21; 2022/23; 2024/25)
- HPLA7021 Latin Epic (Advanced Latin) (30 credits; optional)
- HPLA7022 Latin Epic (Further Advanced Latin) (30 credits; optional)
- HPGR7017 Short Poetic Forms (Advanced Greek) (30 credits; optional)
- HPGR7018 Short Poetic Forms (Further Advanced Greek) (30 credits; optional)
- HPLA7019 Republican Prose (Advanced Latin) (30 credits; optional)
- HPLA7020 Republican Prose (Further Advanced Latin) (30 credits; optional)
- HPGR7019 Greek Historiography (Advanced Greek) (30 credits; optional)
- HPGR7020 Greek Historiography (Further Advanced Greek) (30 credits; optional).
Modules expected to be taught in Year B (2021/22; 2023/24; 2025/26)
- HPGR7015 Greek Oratory (Advanced Greek) (30 credits; optional)
- HPGR7016 Greek Oratory (Further Advanced Greek) (30 credits; optional)
- HPLA7015 Augustan Love Poetry (Advanced Latin) (30 credits; optional)
- HPLA7016 Augustan Love Poetry (Further Advanced Latin) (30 credits; optional)
- HPGR7021 The Medea Stories (Advanced Greek) (30 credits; optional)
- HPGR7022 The Medea Stories (Further Advanced Greek) (30 credits; optional)
- HPLA7017 Neronian Prose (Advanced Latin) (30 credits; optional)
- HPLA7018 Neronian Prose (Further Advanced Latin) (30 credits; optional).
Part II (MA)
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HPAH7013 MA Dissertation (Ancient) (60 credits; compulsory).
An MA degree in Classics involves a range of assessment methods. All language modules are assessed by both coursework and examinations. Students in advanced languages have the opportunity to explore texts in detail, both in literary and in linguistic terms, through assessed critical commentaries and essays.
Additionally, you will be assessed through bibliographic exercises, presentations – oral and PowerPoint based, creation of abstracts, in-house conference papers, article reviews, creation of project plans and, of course, the dissertation. This variety of assessments helps develop skills in presenting material in a clear, professional and lucid manner, whether orally or in writing.
Key Information
The traditional requirement for entry onto our MA degrees is a 2.1 or 1st class undergraduate degree. In addition, the School encourages students with an equivalent and appropriate professional qualification or significant and relevant professional experience to apply. Additionally, for the MA in Classics, applicants are required to have knowledge of either Greek or Latin at advanced level, and it is desirable that they have a good knowledge of both ancient languages.
The programme provides a broad foundation for postgraduate work, by laying particular emphasis on the languages, methodologies and research tools needed for independent advanced study, thus acting as training for students who intend to undertake an MPhil or PhD.
The course also provides a professional qualification for teachers or others seeking Continuing Professional Development.
Frequently Asked Questions
I am interested in learning Greek/Latin but I do not have a good knowledge of ancient languages. Can I study for an MA in Classics?
No, you cannot. You should consider studying for the PGDip in Latin and Greek as an advanced knowledge of these languages is required for the Classics programme.
I do not know Greek and/or Latin well enough, but I want to improve my knowledge. I know I cannot study for an MA in Classics, but can I study for the PGCert in Classics and upgrade from there?
No, you cannot. You need to have a good knowledge of both languages and be at advanced level in at least one before commencing any of degrees specifically named ‘Classics’ degrees. Instead, we suggest that you consider embarking on a PGDip in Latin and Greek, which you could use as a stepping stone for a later degree.
If I have completed the PGDip in Greek and Latin (120 credits), can I then upgrade to the MA Classics?
Potentially yes, but this depends on whether you have studied a sufficient number of Advanced Greek/Latin modules as part of your PGDip (students don’t have to enter the PGDip as beginners). In any case, you would have to study the compulsory module HPAH7011 Theory and Methodology for the Study of the Ancient World before being allowed to progress to the Dissertation.
