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MA by Research in Classics and Ancient History (2025 Entry)

Postgraduate Research

Explore our Classics and Ancient History Master's by Research degree at Warwick

Study the MA by Research in Classics and Ancient History, and choose from a wide range of specialist areas. Warwick's Classics and Ancient History department, ranked 3rd in the UK in Classics (REF 2021), offers an excellent research environment and expert guidance.


Course overview

Two routes are available:

Route A 

Completion of a 40,000 word dissertation.

Route B

2 x 5,000 word essays; 25,000 word dissertation + language training.

For both routes training in research methods as well as in ancient Greek or Latin are provided.

Teaching and learning

You will have regular monthly meetings with your assigned supervisor. Seminars will introduce you to research methods in addition to skills training and career-oriented talks and workshops. You will also be able to attend our ‘Work in Progress’ research seminars, which take place regularly during term time and offer the opportunity to learn about the work of others. Training in ancient Greek and/or Latin is also provided as required.

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

Applicants will need to have achieved or be expecting to achieve a high upper Second Class degree in Classics/Ancient history/Archaeology or a relevant subject to be considered for entry.

Standard offers for successful applicants will typically be conditional on achieving a 2:1 degree with overall average of at least 65% with 68% or over for any dissertation submitted.


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.

Our research

The Department offers expertise in a wide range of research areas, including:

  • Ancient economies
  • Ancient medicine
  • Ancient rhetoric
  • Ancient sexuality and gender
  • Archaeology of the Roman provinces (Syria, Sicily and North Africa, Greece)
  • Ceramics and craft
  • Classical Reception
  • Epigraphy
  • Geography and space in Greek and Latin literature
  • Greek and Roman art, visual and material culture
  • Greek historiography
  • Greek literature, especially lyric poetry
  • Greek political history
  • Greek religion and Greek sanctuaries
  • Greek social and cultural history
  • Greek theatre
  • Latin literature (Republican and Imperial poetry and prose)
  • Numismatics
  • Race and ethnicity in the Greco-Roman world
  • Roman cultural history
  • Roman imperial history
  • Roman philosophy
  • Theoretical approaches to classical literature

Full details of our research interests are listed on the Classics and Ancient History web pagesLink opens in a new window.

You can also read our general University research proposal guidance.Link opens in a new window

Find a supervisor

Find your supervisor using the link below and discuss with them the area you'd like to research.

Explore our Classics and Ancient History Staff Directory where you will be able to search by research area.

You can also see our general University guidance about finding a supervisor.


Research proposals

If you are applying for a research degree (MA by Research, MPhil, PhD), you need to provide an outline of the chosen research topic. This should be about 500 words and should outline the following:

  • What area of research you intend to undertake and why (with reference to the most important relevant bibliography)
  • How you propose to conduct the research
  • What background in the subject you already have and any skills you will need to develop further (e.g., language training)

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 research 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

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

Department content block about careers

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

How to apply

The application process for courses that start in September and October 2025 will open on 2 October 2024.

For research courses that start in September and October 2025 the application deadline for students who require a visa to study in the UK is 2 August 2025. This should allow sufficient time to complete the admissions process and to obtain a visa to study in the UK.

How to apply for a postgraduate research course  

After you’ve applied

Find out how we process your application.

Applicant Portal

Track your application and update your details.

Admissions statement

See Warwick’s postgraduate admissions policy.

Join a live chat

Ask questions and engage with Warwick.

Explore ways to connect with us

We understand how important it is to visit and explore your future university before you apply. That's why we have put together a range of online and in-person options to help you discover more about your course, visit campus, and get a sense of postgraduate life at Warwick. Our events offer includes:

  • Warwick hosted events
  • Postgraduate Fairs
  • Live chats
  • Talk and Tours
  • Department events