Program Overview

Overview of the M.Phil. in Classics

The M.Phil. in Classics is a postgraduate program aimed at students who intend to proceed to doctoral research and those who wish to round off their undergraduate studies by taking their encounter with the Classical world to the next level or to explore a nascent interest in ancient Greece and Rome.

Course Details

• The program is offered on a full-time basis for 1 year and on a part-time basis for 2 years.
• The course consists of a combination of compulsory and optional components that together make up the 90 ECTS expected for full-time study over one academic year at Masters level.
• Students taking the course part-time do so over two years, completing taught modules carrying 40 ECTS in their first year and taught modules carrying 20 ECTS and submitting a dissertation by the end of August in their second year.

Course Content

• The course has two compulsory elements: the weekly core module Classics: Research and Methods, which communicates core research skills and knowledge across the main strands of classical scholarship, and a dissertation of 15,000 words on an agreed topic, individually supervised by a member of staff.
• In addition, students choose four electives (or two with beginners’ Greek or Latin), which allow them to build specific skills and follow their individual interests.
• Recently taught electives include:
  • Greek Language
  • Latin Language
  • Saving the Past
  • Unlocking Sacred Landscapes
  • Desire and the Body from Catullus to Seneca
  • Early Christianity
  • Homer and the Canons of Antiquity
  • After Alexander: Hellenistic Athens
  • Roman Hellenism
  • Curiosity and Crisis in the Late Fifth Century
  • The Eternal City: The Archaeology of the City of Rome
  • Goddesses of the Mediterranean

Admission Requirements

• Applicants should normally have at least an upper second class (2.1) Honours Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant area.
• Knowledge of Greek or Latin is not required, but students hoping later to pursue a research degree in fields where the written record provides our main sources will be strongly encouraged to acquire language skills in the course.
• Since places on the course are limited, applicants may be interviewed or asked to submit a writing sample for assessment.
• All applicants are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language, meeting Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements.

Career Opportunities

The M.Phil. in Classics helps graduates prepare for a wide variety of careers, including:

• Museum and heritage sectors
• Libraries and archives
• Public policy and administration
• Archaeology
• Law
• Teaching
• Media
• Research

Course Fees

For a full list of postgraduate fees, please refer to the relevant section.

Awards and Duration

• NFQ Level 9
• 1 year full-time (EU and non-EU students) / 2 years part-time (EU/UK/EEA students only)
• 15 Places available

Course Director

Dr. Shane Wallace

Closing Date

30th May 2025

Next Intake

September 2025

English Language Requirements

All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language, meeting Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements.