Classics

Course details Our MA in Classics combines language studies with an exploration of the philosophy, history and culture of the Greek and Latin-speaking world to provide you with the academic foundations on which to build a career in research. You will take the course starting with a language module of your choice. This is studied alongside a range of optional Classics and other Arts & Humanities modules covering a broad range of subjects including philosophy, history, literature, and visual culture.

Why Durham University? The Department of Classics and Ancient History contains a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the artistic, historical, literary, linguistic, cultural and philosophical features of the ancient world that is recognised internationally. With one of the largest gatherings of permanent Classics staff in the UK, we consistently rank among the top departments for research and teaching As well as being taught by subject-area experts in a diverse and exciting intellectual community, you will have unique access to our extensive collection featuring ancient texts in the original and in translation that will be ideal for research purposes. Given our wealth of knowledge, we have a global reputation for our innovative work in the study of ancient philosophy and science, Augustan poetry, the social and intellectual history of the Greco-Roman world and the Near East, architecture and urbanisation, and reception. The Department is proud to be host to a number of highly successful research centres including the Centre for Classical Reception, the Centre for the Study of the Ancient Mediterranean and the Near East, and the Durham Centre for Ancient and Medieval Philosophy.

Facilities An extensive collection of about 8,000 volumes of ancient texts in the original and in translation, as well as modern scholarship and reference works. The emphasis of the library’s precious contents is on ancient philosophy, but the collection of texts and works provides an unmatched reference resource for researchers as well as a valuable knowledge source for all our course subjects. Postgraduates can use assigned computer rooms, a dedicated Departmental library and two fully equipped seminar rooms

Career Opportunities The Department's national and international reputation for academic quality provides an ideal grounding for postgraduates to either continue their research at a higher level or secure a stimulating and rewarding professional career. You will develop a set of transferable skills including logical thinking and the evaluation and communication of information that are not only applicable in an academic environment but also deliver the skills and abilities valued across a range of professions. Some of these professions relate to the subjects studied such as the heritage sector, the arts, teaching, the civil service, publishing and journalism. Other options include banking, law, PR, third sector, consultancy, insurance and administration.