Classical Civilisation / Classics (MA) - 2013/2014 entry

This programme develops knowledge and understanding of several disciplines in the field of classics, such as ancient history, literature, classical archaeology and material culture, reception studies and philosophy.

As well as your dissertation subject, you can choose two special subjects – we encourage specialisation and research in one or more of the individual disciplines that make up classics.

Find out more about studying in the Department of History, Classics and Archaeology.

• Develop your existing career, move into a new area such as the arts or education, or study for a research degree.
• Benefit from nearby research centres and resources, such as the British Library, the British Museum and the Institute of Classical Studies.

Classical Civilisation pathway

Year 1

The core module Introduction to Classical Culture considers the different kinds of ancient evidence and major modern debates about classical culture. All texts are taught in English translation.

You will then choose one special subject from available option modules. In the past, these have included:

• From Temples to Museums: Post-Classical Encounters with Classical Antiquities
• Literature in Translation 
• The Athenian Empire
• The Power of Knowledge in the Roman World
• Under the Volcano – The First and Last  Days of Pompeii
• The Past in the Present: Classical Archaeology in the Modern World
• The Greeks and the Sea
• Eight Ancient Things
• Roman Frontiers
• The Medieval Mediterranean
• The Edge of Empire: The Archaeology of Roman Frontiers.

You may also take one language course as one of your option modules.

Year 2

• one option module
• Dissertation.

Classics pathway

Year 1

You must take one language option module taught at the highest level, either Greek (Greek Set Book) or Latin (Latin Set Book). You can take this as an option in either your first or second year.

The core module Introduction to Classical Culture considers the different kinds of ancient evidence and major modern debates about classical culture. All texts are taught in English translation.

You will then choose one special subject from available option modules. In the past, these have included:

• From Temples to Museums: post-Classical encounters with Classical Antiquities
• Literature in Translation 
• The Athenian Empire
• The Power of Knowledge in the Roman World
• Under the Volcano – The First and Last  Days of Pompeii
• The Past in the Present: Classical Archaeology in the Modern World
• The Greeks and the Sea
• Eight Ancient Things
• Roman Frontiers
• The City of Rome
• The Medieval Mediterranean
• Latin Set Book
• Greek Set Book
• The Edge of Empire: The Archaeology of Roman Frontiers.

Year 2

• one option module
• Dissertation.

We are located just five minutes’ walk from the British Museum and 10 minutes from the British Library. Other nearby specialist centres of research include the Institute of Classical Studies and the Institute of Historical Research (both located next door to Birkbeck), the Institute of Archaeology and the Warburg Institute. All four institutes offer regular seminars on research areas covered by the department.

If you are interested in further research, we offer PhD/MPhil programmes in Classics and Classical Archaeology and Ancient History.

Graduates go on to careers in museums and galleries, as researchers or archivists, or in education.

• We advise you to apply as early as possible.
• Interviews from January.