Program Overview

Postgraduate Study - PhD and Research Degrees

Classics and Ancient History

Overview

Vigorous research culture spanning the breadth of the Classical world. Wide range of world-leading research expertise, much of which falls within the remit of our three research centres. Research degrees are currently available at the level of PhD, MPhil and MA by Research. Attentive and supportive expert supervision. Access to an extensive research library.

Degrees

• MPhil/PhD Classics and Ancient History
• MA by Research Classics and Ancient History

Duration

• Degree duration details

Start Date

• September, January or April

Location

• Streatham Campus

Study Modes

• Full time and part time
• Distance-based research available

Research Overview

Our vigorous research culture spans the breadth of the Classical world with methodological strengths literature, language, history, archaeology and philosophy. We offer a wide range of world-leading research expertise, much of which falls within the remit of our three research centres. We welcome applications for postgraduate research across all our specialisms. Prospective PhD candidates are encouraged to explore the interests of our academic staff in more detail and should make informal contact with a potential supervisor before submitting a formal application.

Research Centres

• Centre for Hellenistic and Later Greek Studies
• The Exeter Centre for Classical Reception

How to Apply

• Applying for MPhil/PhD study
  • Students applying to enter directly into the MPhil/PhD programme would normally be expected to have a Masters degree with Merit or equivalent in Classics and Ancient History, or other relevant qualifications such as a doctorate in another subject.
• Applying for MA by Research
  • The MA by Research is suited to dedicated students who are comfortable with independent research with a focused topic already in mind.
  • Applicants should have a proven track-record of producing excellent research at undergraduate level, either in the form of an overall first class degree in Classics and Ancient History, or an upper-second class degree with a first-class dissertation (or equivalent).
  • They should also obtain prior approval on a research proposal from their prospective supervisor in the department of Classics and Ancient History before submitting an application.
  • Students should also have an undergraduate degree in Classics and Ancient History, or a cognate discipline e.g. Archaeology.

Requirements for International Students

• If you are an international student, please visit our international equivalency pages to enable you to see if your existing academic qualifications meet our entry requirements.
• English language requirements
  • International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course.
  • The required test scores for this course fall under Profile E: view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

PhD and Research Programme Application Process

• Pinpoint your PhD research area
• Investigate whether this area is available at Exeter
• Ensure that you meet our English language entry requirements (international students only)
• Construct and refine your PhD research proposal
• Approach your potential supervisor(s)
• Apply online

Fees and Funding

• Fees 2025/26
  • Home: £5,006 full-time; £pro-rata part-time
  • International: £23,500 full-time
• Fees 2024/25
  • Home: £4,786 full-time; £pro-rata part-time
  • International: £22,600 full-time
• Current funding opportunities
  • Our Postgraduate Funding webpage provides links to further information.
  • If you are considering a PhD in the future, in addition to University of Exeter funding, we have been successful at securing postgraduate funding for PhD research through our funded centres.

Supervision

• Attentive and supportive expert supervision through regular meetings, including the provision of constructive feedback on draft written work.
• You will be assigned a first supervisor, second supervisor and a pastoral tutor.
• Co-supervision involving expertise from other departments and colleges at Exeter (and other universities as part of the AHRC SWW DTP) is possible, if relevant to the needs of your project.
• Supervisory meetings are expected roughly once every month.
• As well as advising on the content of your thesis, supervision can also help provide further guidance on the upgrade processes, and the preparation of papers for academic conferences and publication (where appropriate).

Facilities

• Our research is primarily supported an extensive research library, which includes a substantial collection of both physical and digital books, journals and resources.
• Two members of the Department with research interests in digital classics are based within the Digital Humanities Lab, a state-of-the-art facility for undertaking digitally-enabled research and teaching.

Careers

• We are committed to ensuring you receive high quality research supervision to maximise your potential and prepare you for a rewarding career.
• Postgraduate students have access to the wide range of support offered by our Career Zone.
• In addition, postgraduate research students can access our Postgraduate Researchers' Programme, which covers a range of topics to help you to succeed during your research degree and to act as a springboard for your research career.

Graduate Destinations

• Below are some examples of initial jobs undertaken by Classics and Ancient History postgraduates who studied with us in recent years.
• Please note that, due to data protection, the job titles and organisations are listed independently and do not necessarily correspond.

Job title | Organisation ---|--- Education Officer | Department of Education International Public Relations Specialist | Hokkaido University, Japan Classics Teacher | Plymouth College Lecturer | Seoul National University Adjunct Instructor | Art Institute of Calefornia, LA Lecturer | Stellenbosch University, South Africa Teaching Fellow | University of Edinburgh International Public Relations Specialist | Hokkaido University, Japan Lecturer | University of Exeter Academic issues manager | University of Exeter Guild of Students