Classics (PhD / MPhil) - 2012/2013 entry

A research degree offers you the opportunity to acquire a highly advanced set of conceptual skills developed in the pursuit of new knowledge, which can be applied within or beyond an academic or scholarly context. Research training in any academic discipline helps to channel creativity into critical innovatory reasoning. The legitimate authority of original, independent research depends upon persuasive analytical arguments supported by critically evaluated evidence.

Before deciding to pursue a research degree, you should ideally draft an independent proposal for your intended area of research. We also strongly advise that, before considering your application, you informally approach and establish contact with a potential supervisor.

Current research interests include: the cultural and social history of ancient Greece; ancient Italy and Rome; the reception of the 'classical' past within ancient and modern worlds; the study of approaches to identity in the ancient world; cultural change in the Hellenistic and Roman worlds; Latin prose literature; the history of ancient science, technology and medicine in the Greek and Roman worlds.

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.

We work closely with staff at the British Museum and the British School at Rome, as well as with archaeological superintendents in Italy, and can give advice about summer schools in both Athens and Rome.

Other benefits for PhD/MPhil students include ancillary skills courses, work-in-progress seminars and a historical sociology reading group.

The Department of History, Classics and Archaeology earns a significant amount of research income through grants, funded research posts, and other associations. In 2004, members of staff in the department made successful applications for four research grants of more than £200,000, as well as several smaller awards. In 2008, two staff members were awarded a Leverhulme Trust prize of £70,000 each for substantial and recognised contributions to their fields of study.

Research students are well supported by the facilities of the department, the resources of the College and of the University. You will work closely with your academic supervisor, but will also be assigned a second member of academic staff within the School in the role of a personal mentor.

A variety of workshops, courses and training are provided. Research students have a regular forum – the Research Students' Workshop – at which to present work in progress and to gain experience in critical debate.

Student-run research seminars, workshops on academic writing, guest lectures, and a number of reading groups are also supported by the School.

The department aims to foster exchange and discussion, for the benefit of both staff and research students, through work-in-progress seminars, and discussion groups.

We offer a writing tutor, and tuition is also provided in Ancient Greek and Latin. At present, we also offer a reading course on German for historians. Tuition in other languages is available at the UCL language centre.

You can apply for up to £600 over the course of the period for which you are registered, towards the cost of attending a conference or other research expenses.

If your research topic obliges you to undertake significant research overseas, additional funds may also be available.

• Christy Constantakopoulou, DPhil: Ancient Greek history and culture, particularly classical Athens and the Aegean; islands and insularity in the Ancient World.
• Dr Serafina Cuomo: Greek and Roman history, mathematics and technology.
• Professor Catharine Edwards, MA, PhD: Ancient cultural history; Roman constructions of the self; the city of Rome; later receptions of classical antiquity.
• Caroline Humfress, BA, PhD: Late antiquity 300–700, particularly religion and theology; history of law, particularly Roman law and its post-Roman reception; history of political thought.
• Dr April Pudsey: ancient historical demography and population history; social and economic history of Hellenistic and Roman Egypt

For details of other staff working in related areas, see the entry for PhD/MPhil History.

Candidates should decide on an area and subject of research and, ideally, have identified a potential supervisor within the Department of History, Classics and Archaeology. It is important to have a supervisor who will provide an overview of your chosen field. Candidates are welcome to contact a potential supervisor for advice on their research proposal, and are encouraged to do so. Candidates may apply for full-time or part-time study mode – part-time study mode is open to UK, EU, EEA and Swiss nationals. Fees for EU nationals are charged at the UK home student rate. International students may apply for full-time study mode only.

Suitable candidates will be interviewed by a panel of the Research Committee, which will include the prospective supervisor. During the application process, candidates may also contact the department for advice.

Find out more about our current MPhil/PhD students and their research topics.

• You can apply, and start studying, at any time during the year.