Postgraduate Studies

Language modules

General information about including a language option

Many students take the opportunity at postgraduate level to start a classical language or to improve or keep up their language skills.  At research level knowledge of Latin and/or Greek is essential.

There are a number of options.  In some instances language is the sole element of a degree (such as the Licence in Greek and the Licence in Latin).  In others, it is a compulsory element (such as the MA in Ancient Narrative, the MA in Classics and the MA in Classical Language and Literature); while in others it is an option (such as the MA in Ancient History and Classical Studies and the MA in Ancient Myth and Society).  You can also take a single language module as part of another University of Wales postgraduate degree or take 40 credits of language as a postgraduate occasional student.

All language modules are 20 credits each.  With the exception of Medieval Latin, which is only available on a distance learning basis, the method of delivery for all language modules is either distance or campus-based.

Postgraduates are taught alongside undergraduates for the language modules and will follow a similar assessment pattern, as specified in the individual module descriptions.

It is not possible to take both Beginners Greek and Beginners Latin in the same academic year.  Part-time students can, however, take a Beginners module in one language in one academic year and in the other language in the next.

Please note that the tuition fee does not include the costs of any books or text editions.

Choosing the right level of language

Greek and Latin are taught at the following levels:

• Beginners:       for those with little or no previous knowledge
• Intermediate:    for those with GCSE/O Level or equivalent
• Advanced:        for those with A Level or equivalent

For information on Medieval Latin, click here.

The individual module descriptions will give you more information about the requirements and content of each of the modules that we offer.

If you are still not sure which level to choose, please contact the Director of Postgraduate Studies, Dr Federico Santangelo, to discuss this in more detail.

Advanced language modules

Texts read for the advanced modules vary each year to ensure that students read a range of genres over their course of study.  Decisions regarding texts for the next academic year are made during the summer, usually in July.

Please note that Greek / Latin Advanced I and II can be taken independently from each other (i.e. you do not have to have done I before you can do II) and that you can take Greek / Latin Advanced I or II more than once as the text read will be different each time.

Language modules and distance learning

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.

Distance students work at home on a variety of texts, grammatical exercises and other assignments as specified by the tutor.  Non-assessed work is then sent to the tutor for marking and comment.  Students taking advanced language modules will be asked to send in a number of short, non-assessed assignments during the course of the module, and these will normally consist of a combination of translation and comment.  These non-assessed assignments enable the module tutor to give appropriate feedback, closely monitor the progress of individual students, and are designed to enhance and develop students’ linguistic and literary skills.  They are also a useful preparation for the assessment items of the module.  Some essential reading is included in the module packs sent for advanced language modules.  Students enrolled on any language module are in regular contact with their tutor throughout their studies.

Exams need to be taken under exam conditions.  Distance students take these either at Lampeter during the main exam periods in December and / or May, or under supervised conditions in the student’s local area.  Students can either arrange their own exam venue (i.e. at a local school or college or take their exam at one of Lampeter’s partner institutions.  A small fee may apply.  A wide network of partnerships ensures that students will be able to take their exams close to home as possible.  In other words, distance students do not need to travel to Lampeter to take their exams.  Further information about examination arrangements for distance learners are given in the Classics Postgraduate Student Handbook that is sent to students at the start of the academic year.

Including language modules from the Lampeter Summer Workshop in Greek and Latin

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.

Taking a language module as part of another University of Wales, Lampeter degree

Students studying for a postgraduate degree in, for example, the Theology and Religious Studies or History Departments, often would like to include a module in Greek or Latin in their programme.  They need to consult both their supervisor in their ‘home’ Department and Dr Federico Santangelo in the Classics Department.  If it is agreed that the module(s) can be taken, all the necessary arrangements will be made during the registration process.  Students will need to include the module(s) on their enrolment form and, in addition, fill in a Department of Classics module choice form.

PG Occasional Students

Postgraduate Occasional students can take 40 credits of language, for example in preparation for a postgraduate (research) degree.  40 credits are both the minimum and maximum number of credits allowed under this scheme.  If students would like to continue their language studies after taking the 40 credits, they need to transfer to one of our degree schemes:  the Licence in Greek, Licence in Latin, MA in Classical Language and Literature, or MA in Classics.  The 40 credits taken as a postgraduate occasional student can, usually, be transferred to the chosen degree scheme (under the APL scheme).

Further information

For further information about the various possibilities please contact Dr Federico Santangelo, Director of Postgraduate Studies, or Siân Davies and Julie Phillips, the Departmental Administrators.

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