General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

Applicants will need to have achieved or be expecting to achieve a firm 2:1 undergraduate degree in Classics or a similar course of academic study with substantial course components in the area of Classics to be considered for entry. Applicants must have degree-level competence in at least one ancient language (Ancient Greek or Latin).

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

• Band B
• IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Core modules

Approaching Ancient Texts: methodologies, theories and practice

Dissertation

Roman Literature and Thought

The module aims to provide postgraduate training in the literary interpretation and philological analysis of classical Latin texts in a variety of forms and genres. It will run in the second term of the course, and will involve developing, applying and putting into practice the techniques and methodologies studied in the first term’s core module, ‘Approaching Ancient Texts’.

Your linguistic skills in reading literary Latin will be brought up to postgraduate level; you will be introduced to the fundamentals of textual criticism, and acquire the knowledge and skills required to respond critically to the most advanced classical scholarship. The seminar format is designed to encourage you to exchange ideas and experiment with scholarly arguments in a supportive and stimulating setting.

or 

Greek Literature and Thought

The module aims to provide postgraduate training in the literary interpretation and philological analysis of ancient Greek literary texts in a variety of forms and genres. It will run in the second term of the course, and will involve developing, applying and putting into practice the techniques and methodologies studied in the first term’s core module, ‘Approaching Ancient Texts’.

Your linguistic skills in reading literary Greek will be brought up to postgraduate level; you will be introduced to the fundamentals of textual criticism and the history of interpretation, including assessment of papyrological reconstructions, palaeography, and commentary by scholiasts as appropriate, and acquire the knowledge and skills required to respond critically to the most advanced classical scholarship.

Optional modules

Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:

• Master's Language Training (Greek, Latin or modern language) or Advanced Ancient Language
• Art of the Ancient World
• Classical Epigraphy
• Origins of Phenomenology
• Feminist Literary Theory
• Renaissance Culture and Society

Teaching

Taught modules are taught through 10 two-hour seminars held weekly or fortnightly in terms one and/or two. The seminars centre on student-led presentations and discussion. Seminars for the core modules focus on the detailed reading, discussion and interpretation of main texts or sections of ancient Greek/Roman literature, alongside an anthology of further related texts, commentaries and reference works. You will be able to significantly enhance the knowledge and skills acquired at undergraduate level, exchanging and developing ideas and reading strategies in a supportive and stimulating environment.

Class sizes

The classes of the taught modules comprise 2-10 students and up to 15-20 for Language classes. This size allows teaching to be tailored according to the students’ interests.

Typical contact hours

Teaching methods used for language modules vary depending on the level, but run across all three terms. Overall, you can expect to have on average six contact hours per week.

Assessment

Most modules (apart from language modules) are assessed by a 5,000-word essay on a topic of your choice, decided upon in negotiation with a member of academic staff. The dissertation will be a 15,000 – 20,000 word essay, built on the research carried out during the programme.

Reading lists 

If you would like to view reading lists for current or previous cohorts of students, most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library on the Talis Aspire platformLink opens in a new window. 

You can search for reading lists by module title, code or convenor. Please see the modules tab of this page or the module catalogueLink opens in a new window.  

Please note that some reading lists may have restricted access or be unavailable at certain times of year due to not yet being published. If you cannot access the reading list for a particular module, please check again later or contact the module’s host department. 

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

Your career

Typical career paths chosen by our graduates include jobs in museums and the heritage sector, education, publishing, the civil service and further research.

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

• What can you do with a Classics and Ancient History degree?
• Careers in the Creative Industries
• Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
• Next steps after your MA…hear from alumni
• Networking for Classics students

Classics and Ancient History at Warwick

Take your fascination with the ancient world further.

Our Classics and Ancient History department is tailor-made for a community of curiosity. Work closely with award-winning academics while carving your own path through the varied disciplines we study - from literature and history, to philosophy and art.

Share your observations, opinions and developing interests. Develop critical and creative thinking that will prove valuable for your future – wherever in the world this might take you.

Find out more about us on our website.

Our Postgraduate courses

• Ancient Literature and Thought (MA)
• Ancient Visual and Material Culture (MA)
• Classics and Ancient History (MA by Research)
• Classics and Ancient History (MPhil/PhD)
• Visual and Material Culture of Ancient Greece (MA)
• Visual and Material Culture of Ancient Rome (MA)

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Find your taught course fees  

Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

• Core text books
• Printer credits
• Dissertation binding
• Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

How to apply

Applications are now open for courses that start in September and October 2025.

Applications will close on 2 August 2025 for students who require a visa to study in the UK, to allow time to receive a CAS and complete the visa application process.

How to apply for a postgraduate taught course