Ancient Visual and Material Culture (MA) (2024 Entry)
Explore our Ancient Visual and Material Culture taught Master's degree.
The Ancient Visual and Material Culture MA will train you for further research in the fields of art, numismatics or epigraphy. Acquire necessary research techniques and skills at Warwick's Classics and Ancient History department.
Course overview
The taught MA courses provide an overview of the scope of the visual and material culture of the ancient world, the ways in which it might be studied, and the questions that can be asked of it.
The core module gives you an awareness of historiography and methodological issues affecting the study of the material culture of the ancient world as well as inviting you to consider the ways in which its study can contribute to our picture of antiquity.
Optional modules allow you to develop your interests in particular aspects of the subject (art, epigraphy, numismatics, or an approved external option) in more depth, while a core language component provides the linguistic skills necessary to conduct further research.
This MA provides a thorough preparation in research techniques if you are considering further research in the fields of art, numismatics or epigraphy, or are working on an historical topic that involves the consideration of material evidence. It will also provide a detailed understanding of ancient visual and material culture to prepare you if you are aiming to enter a career in museums and curatorial work, or in education.
This MA also provides a solid basis for independent research, and often leads students to engage in MPhil/PhD studies in Ancient Visual and Material Culture.
Skills from this degree
The degree is designed to introduce you to major issues in the study of ancient material culture, and to key methodologies and approaches. It will help to develop your intellectual skills in the following areas:
- Ability to select and respond to particular methodological approaches when dealing with material culture
- Understanding of the ways in which material culture has been studied since antiquity
- Ability to present a structured chain of argument drawing together evidence into a cohesive whole
- Ability to select and apply appropriate problem-solving methodologies
- Ability to conduct independent research and analysis
It will also help to develop the following key transferable skills:
- Written and oral communication skills
- Organisational skills
- Ability to evaluate intellectual progress
- IT skills – word processing
General entry requirements
Minimum requirements
Applicants will need to have achieved or be expecting to achieve a good 2:1 undergraduate degree in Classics/Ancient History/Archaeology or a relevant subject to be considered for entry.
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 Visual and Material Culture
This is the core module for the taught MA in Ancient Visual and Material Culture. It is designed to introduce you to the major issues in the study of ancient visual and material culture, and to key methodologies and approaches. This module provides a broad grounding in the interpretation of the various different aspects of ancient material culture, which can then be pursued further in the individual option modules.
Dissertation
A language module, either
Master's Language Training
As part of the taught element of the MA you will study an ancient or modern language for one of your four modules. This can be used either to further your skills in ancient Greek or Latin, or to develop the knowledge of a modern language which will be necessary for further research.
or
Advanced Ancient Language (optional core)
Optional modules
Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:
- Art of the Ancient World
- Ancient Numismatics
- Classical Epigraphy
Subject to demand, the options above usually run each year.
It is also possible to take an approved module from other Departments across the Faculty.
Teaching
Taught modules are taught through 10 two-hour seminars held weekly or fortnightly in terms one and/or two. Seminars will comprise student-led presentations and discussion centred around pre-allocated reading and questions; others will take place in museums. Teaching methods used for language modules vary depending on the level, but run across all three terms.
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
For this course, the contact hours are six hours per week.
This includes face-to-face guidance to direct you to identify your research topic and do your research.
Assessment
Most modules (apart from language modules) will be assessed by a 5,000-word essay on a topic of your choice, decided upon by negotiation with a member of academic staff. The dissertation will be a piece of work 15,000-20,000 words and built on the research carried out whilst on the programme.
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
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.
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.
Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.
How to apply
The application process for courses that start in September and October 2024 will open on 2 October 2023.
Applications will close on 2 August 2024 for students who require a visa to study in the UK, to allow time to receive a CAS and complete the visa application process.
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