Classics and Ancient History MA
Our Classics and Ancient History master's builds and expands on your previous studies. You can specialise in either classics or ancient history.
You are currently viewing course information for entry year:
Start date(s):
- September 2023
Overview
The course is primarily designed for students who have studied ancient history, classics or classical studies as their first degree.
The highly flexible master's in Classics and Ancient History offers you the opportunity to study a wide range of topics. These topics reflect the research specialisms of our staff in:
- ancient history
- classics
- archaeology including Byzantine studies
You'll develop your own research interests and professional skills.
You'll study specific modules on topics such as:
- ancient concepts of divinity as articulated by Cicero and others
- ancient philosophy
- Ciceronian rhetoric, its theory and practice
- ancient historiography
- the reception and recreation of ancient texts
- ancient science and medicine
- performance culture in ancient Greece and Rome
- the art and archaeology of Rome and Byzantium
- Greek art and archaeology
You'll study specific modules on topics such as:
- ancient historiography
- the history of the Roman Republic
- the emperor Julian and the history of the Late Roman empire
- Greek and Roman religion
- the life and reception of Alexander the Great
- contact and interactions between Greeks and ‘Barbarians’
- the origins and nature of early ethnographic thought
- the art and archaeology of Rome and Byzantium
- Greek art and archaeology
- City of Athens
Classics and ancient history at Newcastle has a long and distinguished reputation for its research and teaching. We've taught Latin and Greek since 1874, ancient history since 1910, and classical archaeology since 1931.
You can choose to study one of two pathways: Classics or Ancient History.
If you're interested in classics, you'll study literatures, languages and cultures of Ancient Greece and Rome at an advanced level.
If you specialise in ancient history, you'll focus on the histories, societies and cultures of:
- Archaic and Classical Greece
- Rome
- the wider Mediterranean world
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Important information
We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2022-23.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you'll learn
You'll gain advanced knowledge and understanding of:
- either classics or ancient history
- methodologies for interpreting evidence
- theoretical and analytical approaches
- how to evaluate, analyse and interpret different types of evidence
- Latin, Greek or both languages
- marshalling evidence, critically analysing texts, images and material objects and writing a balanced argument
- your chosen research subject through undertaking a dissertation
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Compulsory modules
- Research Skills and Development
- Ancient Cultures in Context
- Dissertation for MA Classics and Ancient History
- Performance and Text
Optional modules
You'll take one optional module worth 20 credits from the following (subject to the approval of the Degree Programme Director):
- Independent Research Project 1*
- Independent Research Project 2*
- Graduate Seminar in Greek Archaeology
*If you opt to pursue an Independent Research Project you will normally be permitted to undertake only one of these projects during the course of your Masters.
You may also choose your options from other modules offered in the School of History, Classics and Archaeology, in particular the following options:
- The Archaeology of Byzantium and its Neighbours*
- Frontier Communities of Roman Britain*
- Archaeologies of the Middle Sea: An Armchair Voyage Across the Prehistoric Mediterranean*
- Graduate Seminar in Roman Archaeology
- Graduate Seminar in Byzantine Archaeology**
- Armies and Frontiers of the Roman Empire
- Early Medieval Western Europe
- Introduction to the History of Medicine
- The Patient in History
- Diseases in History
*These modules are evaluated at Level 7 (MA Level) but are special subjects co-taught with students at Level 6 (final undergraduate stage). MA students taking these modules have separate assignments which are benchmarked and assessed at Level 7. A maximum of two of these modules may be taken as part of the programme. Students who have previously taken an undergraduate version of this module for credit at Newcastle University shall not be allowed to take the MA module as part of their MA programme.
**The Archaeology of Byzantium and its Neighbours is a pre-requisite for this module.
You will also normally take two of the following optional modules (subject to the approval of the Degree Programme Director):
- Beginners' Greek in Action 1
- Beginners' Greek in Action 2
- Beginners' Latin in Action 1
- Beginners' Latin in Action 2
- Intermediate Greek Language and Literature 1 AND Intermediate Greek Language and Literature 2
- Intermediate Latin Language and Literature 1 AND Intermediate Latin Language and Literature 2
- Level 2 Greek: Interpretation of Texts AND Level 2/3 Greek: Special Study Stage 3
- Level 2 Latin: Interpretation of Texts AND Level 2/3 Latin: Special Study Stage 3
- Level 3 Greek: Interpretation of Texts AND Level 2/3 Greek: Special Study Stage 3
- Level 3 Latin: Interpretation of Texts AND Level 2/3 Latin: Special Study Stage 3
The following optional module is only to be taken if you have registered for 40 credits of ancient or modern languages:
In exceptional cases, if you have already taken Greek or Latin modules at Levels 2 and 3, you may be permitted by the Degree Programme Director to substitute for any one or two of the language modules listed above, with modules to the equivalent credit value from the following:
Compulsory modules
- Research Skills and Development
- Ancient Cultures in Context
- Dissertation for MA Classics and Ancient History
- The Writing of History
Optional modules
You'll take two optional modules worth 20 credits each from the following (subject to the approval of the Degree Programme Director):
- Independent Research Project 1*
- Independent Research Project 2*
- Graduate Seminar in Greek Archaeology
*If you opt to pursue an Independent Research Project you will normally be permitted to undertake only one of these projects during the course of your Masters.
You may also choose your options from other modules offered in the School of History, Classics and Archaeology, in particular the following options:
- The Archaeology of Byzantium and its Neighbours*
- Frontier Communities of Roman Britain*
- Archaeologies of the Middle Sea: An Armchair Voyage Across the Prehistoric Mediterranean*
- Graduate Seminar in Roman Archaeology
- Graduate Seminar in Byzantine Archaeology**
- Armies and Frontiers of the Roman Empire
- Early Medieval Western Europe
- Introduction to the History of Medicine
- The Patient in History
- Diseases in History
*These modules are evaluated at Level 7 (MA Level) but are special subjects co-taught with students at Level 6 (final undergraduate stage). MA students taking these modules have separate assignments which are benchmarked and assessed at Level 7. A maximum of two of these modules may be taken as part of the programme. Students who have previously taken an undergraduate version of this module for credit at Newcastle University shall not be allowed to take the MA module as part of their MA programme.
**The Archaeology of Byzantium and its Neighbours is a pre-requisite for this module.
You will also normally take one of the following optional modules (subject to the approval of the Degree Programme Director):
- Beginners' Greek in Action 1
- Beginners' Greek in Action 2
- Beginners' Latin in Action 1
- Beginners' Latin in Action 2
- Intermediate Greek Language and Literature 1 AND Intermediate Greek Language and Literature 2
- Intermediate Latin Language and Literature 1 AND Intermediate Latin Language and Literature 2
- Level 2 Greek: Interpretation of Texts AND Level 2/3 Greek: Special Study Stage 3
- Level 2 Latin: Interpretation of Texts AND Level 2/3 Latin: Special Study Stage 3
- Level 3 Greek: Interpretation of Texts AND Level 2/3 Greek: Special Study Stage 3
- Level 3 Latin: Interpretation of Texts AND Level 2/3 Latin: Special Study Stage 3
The following optional module is only to be taken if you have registered for 40 credits of ancient or modern languages:
In exceptional cases, if you have already taken Greek or Latin modules at Levels 2 and 3, you may be permitted by the Degree Programme Director to substitute for any one or two of the language modules listed above, with modules to the equivalent credit value from the following:
How you'll learn
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Case study
- Computer assessment
- Dissertation
- Essay
- Oral presentation
- Problem-solving exercises
- Reflective log
- Research proposal
- Research paper
- Written examination
- Written exercise
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Your development
Professional skills
You'll benefit from teaching and training in research techniques from specialists in the field. The course will equip you with advanced skills in:
- literacy
- research
- project management
This enables you to pursue the subject at PhD level or to enter a range of professions.
Your future
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
As a student in the School of History, Classics and Archaeology, you'll benefit from the provision of computing facilities in our dedicated postgraduate computer room. You'll have access to a collection reading materials in the Armstrong Building.
The Great North Museum: Hancock houses an internationally renowned collection of over 1,000 Greek, Roman and Etruscan artefacts. In addition, Newcastle and its surrounding region have a wealth of other museums and archaeological sites including UNESCO World Heritage Site Hadrian's Wall.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2023 entry (per year)
If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.
What you're paying for
Tuition fees include the costs of:
- matriculation
- registration
- tuition (or supervision)
- library access
- examination
- re-examination
- graduation
Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.
Find out more about:
- additional costs
- living costs
- tuition fees, including how to pay them and available discounts
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.
You can check this in the How to apply section.
If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.
For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.
Search for funding
Find funding available for your course
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2023 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
Download our admissions policy (PDF: 201KB)
Other policies related to admissions
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course
How to apply
Using the application portal
The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.
You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.
If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.
Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.
Apply Online
Open days and events
You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year including:
- campus tours
- on-campus open days
- virtual open days
- webinars
Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually
Overseas events
We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.
Get in touch
Questions about this course?
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
Sandra Fletcher
School of History, Classics and Archaeology
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 7966
Email: pg.historical@ncl.ac.uk
Online
For more general enquiries you could also complete our online enquiry form.
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