University of Wales Trinity Saint David

School of Classics | Information for Current Postgraduate Students

Postgraduate Studies

MA (/Diploma /Certificate) in Ancient History and Classical Studies

Awards available: MA (180 credits), Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits),
Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
Study mode: Full-time, part-time
Programme delivery: Residential or distance or a mixture of both
Start dates: October, January and April

Aims and Objectives

The general aims of this degree scheme are:

  1. To provide a self-contained year of structured and challenging study for those that wish to pursue their interests in ancient history and classical studies.
  2. To provide a broad foundation for postgraduate work in general, by laying particular stress on the methodologies and research tools needed for independent advanced study. The MA thus also acts as training for students who intend to undertake an MPhil or PhD.

The specific objectives of this degree scheme are:

  1. To increase students’ knowledge of Greek and/or Roman history and civilisation.
  2. To expose students to a wide range of primary materials (historical, literary, philosophical, archaeological, art historical).
  3. To enhance students’ appreciation of the problems associated with the different types of evidence.
  4. To introduce and develop students’ understanding of the variety of approaches taken by modern scholars.
  5. To recognise and evaluate critically the range of methodologies used by such scholars.

Key features

The MA in Ancient History and Classical Studies is the broadest degree scheme that the Department offers at a postgraduate level.  It provides students with a choice from a wide range of modules that cover all aspects of the classical period, thus allowing them to pursue their own particular interests and tailor the degree to their needs.

This degree can be taken by both distance and residential students.  Although most modules on offer are available for both groups of students, some modules may only be available to residential students; others are only available for distance students. 

Several additional options are available for residential students.  A number of modules offered by the University of Swansea can be incorporated in the programme. These modules are available over the video-link and form part of the Department’s collaborative postgraduate teaching arrangements with the Swansea Classics Department.  In addition, one 20-credit module can be chosen from other Departments within University of Wales, Lampeter, notably from the Departments of Archaeology and Theology and Religious Studies.

Inclusion of a language element is a possibility within the degree scheme, but it is not a compulsory part.  However, students who would like to pursue postgraduate studies at research level need to be aware that good knowledge of at least one and often both classical languages is an absolute necessity.  The language element of this degree is limited to 40 credits (2 modules).  Modules from the Lampeter Summer Workshop in Greek and Latin can be integrated in this MA.

 

Course outline

Programme summary

PG Certificate

PG Diploma

MA

60 credits in total

20 credits compulsory core modules (see below)

20 credits from the option modules Ancient History

20 credits from the option modules Classical Studies

120 credits in total

20 credits compulsory core modules (see below)

+

100 credits from the non-linguistic and linguistic modules available for this degree scheme.  These 100 credits should be chosen as follows:

20 credits from the option modules Ancient History

20 credits from the option modules Classical Studies

60 credits from any of the modules mentioned below but including no more than 40 credits of language modules. 

180 credits in total

As for PG Diploma plus a

Dissertation (60 credits)

 

Programme breakdown (taught part MA / Diploma)

The taught part of the MA / Diploma consists of 120 credits and needs to be chosen according to the following rules to ensure that, in addition to a methodological element, students incorporate both an ancient historical and classical studies element in their degree.  Please note that individual module descriptions will give all the necessary information:  e.g. whether a module is available for distance learning and when it is taught for residential students.  Modules for residential students are subject to demand and the module portfolio is subject to change. 

For the choice of programme please follow the instructions under A and B.

A60 credits of the programme need to be chosen as follows:

Compulsory core modules:  20 credits

Option modules Ancient History:  at least 20 credits from the following

Option modules Classical Studies:  at least 20 credits from the following

 

B.  The remaining 60 credits can be taken from any of the option modules specified
      above and / or can be taken from a series of additional modules.

Additional modules:

Linguistic modules (no more than 40 credits)

Distance students will need to start modules at the same time as campus-based students and work at more or less the same pace (in October for Michaelmas modules; in January for Lent modules).  See the individual module descriptions for further details.  With the exception of Medieval Latin or modules offered at our summer school, no language modules are available over the summer.  Absolute beginners can only start language modules in October.

For further details and information on language courses at postgraduate level, click here.

Modules offered at the Lampeter Summer Workshop

In addition to the various modules offered throughout the academic year, the Department of Classics also holds an annual Summer Workshop in Latin and Greek which has proved to be very successful.  We offer high quality intensive language teaching in Latin, Medieval Latin, Renaissance Latin and Greek (one and two-week courses).  All teaching is done in small, friendly groups by experienced staff.  Each year the Department welcomes participants from a range of ages and backgrounds.

Taking a module at the Summer Workshop gives students the opportunity to try out their linguistic skills, to meet their tutors, and discuss their individual requirements.  This is particularly important if they plan to take a language module as a distance learner. Any module taken at the Summer Workshop can count towards any of our taught degree schemes (subject to approval by the Director of Postgraduate Studies), as all the modules offered during the Workshop are fully accredited by the University.

Students who would like to include a module from the Summer Workshop in their programme need to attend for the full two weeks.  All modules available at the Summer Workshop are ten credits each, but modules taken at intermediate / advanced or advanced level can be upgraded to 20 credits modules.

For a full brochure and application form, please contact the Department.  For further information about the Summer Workshop click here.

Modules offered over the video-link from Swansea

Modules offered by the Archaeology or TRS Departments (no more than 1 x 20 credits)
Please note that not all these modules may be available.  Please contact the Director of Postgraduate Studies if you are interested in including such an option.

Enhanced undergraduate module (no more than 1 x 20 credits)
This is an option that is open to residential students only.  For a list of modules available please consult the Classics Undergraduate Student Handbook.  This module needs to be chosen in consultation with the Director of Postgraduate Studies, Dr. James Richardson

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