Postgraduate Studies
Residential Students
The Academic Year
Lampeter follows a three term academic year: Michaelmas term (end of September-December), Lent term (January-March), and Easter term (April-June).
For the MA, Diploma, and Certificate degree schemes, teaching is concentrated in the first two terms which are usually eleven weeks long each. The summer period (April-September) is primarily used by MA students for work on their dissertation. Assessment for all modules, except language courses, is by coursework only; there are no examinations. Residential MA programmes usually start in October, but a January or April start is also possible.
MPhil and PhD programmes, which have no taught element and are awarded purely for research, can be started in October, January or April.
Teaching Methods
Non-linguistic MA/Diploma/Certificate modules are taught through a series of seminars. Some postgraduate modules are shared with or offered by Swansea University and make use of video conferencing. The teaching will be in small, friendly groups. Each 20 credit course will have 10 seminars of 2 hours each. Students will be given detailed material to prepare and read for each seminar and are often asked to prepare short presentations for the seminars; these contributions will help students to develop their oral skills.
All our non-linguistic postgraduate modules are dedicated to the teaching at this level. In addition to the teaching for their chosen modules, students will have the opportunity of individual essay tutorials to receive detailed feedback on their written coursework and a series of meetings with their supervisor to guide the research and writing of the final MA dissertation.
With the exception of linguistic modules, all modules are assessed by coursework only and at the end of each module students write one 5,000 word essay on a topic of their choice. Each 20-credit module consists of roughly 200 hours of study.
MPhil and PhD students work closely together with their supervisor on their chosen area of research. Students will meet regularly to discuss their work and progress.
Departmental handbook
More information about teaching methods, assessment, submission of work, marking criteria, special needs, and academic skills can be found in our departmental PG handbook which will be given to students at the beginning of the academic term in which they start their studies. Information in this handbook is updated every year.
Communication and Support
There is a departmental postgraduate notice-board and general notices concerning seminars, meetings, conferences, etc. will be placed there. There are also pigeonholes for each postgraduate student for any individual communications. Each member of staff has three official surgery hours per week. Appointments outside those times can easily be made.
Personal tutor
We are a small and friendly department and pride ourselves on the excellent staff-student relations. Students are in close contact with their module tutors and/or supervisor, but to improve our student support further all students will be allocated a personal tutor for the duration of their course. Your personal tutor will be available to discuss your progress and (if appropriate) your choice of courses. He/She will also try to help you if you have problems concerning your course or studying, although you are, of course, welcome to approach any member of staff.
Student Support Services
The University has an extensive number of student support services to help students with any problems experienced during their time here and also provides childcare support for residential students.
Facilities
Libraries
Lampeter has excellent resources for postgraduate study, both in the new Roderic Bowen Research Centre and in the main University Library. In addition, there is a small departmental library in Burgess Hall, the home of the Department of Classics. Our annual per capita spend on new books and library resources is among the highest of all universities in the UK. The main University library currently holds some 180,000 volumes and has subscriptions to over 1000 academic journals.
The new Roderick Bowen Research Centre houses the University’s oldest printed books (1470-1860) and manuscripts (the earliest from the thirteenth century), given to Lampeter from 1822 onwards. It contains over 25,000 books and pamphlets printed between 1470 and 1850, together with eight medieval manuscripts, three Hebrew scrolls and about 100 post-medieval manuscripts. The subject coverage is very wide. In addition to major collections of the classics, theology and philosophy, there is much history, literature, politics, archaeology, architecture and travel, as well as fine illustrated books and a substantial collection of material from the former Welsh Library Cenarth Collection (acquired in 1904). It is a fundamental resource for teaching, research, and scholarship within the University. Further information of the importance of the collection for the study of Classics can be found on our Research Institute website.
All registered students have access to a range of electronic resources such as the JSTOR Arts and Humanities package (through Athens) and the Department’s collection of e-books. JSTOR allows students to access periodicals on-line. In order to gain access to JSTOR students need to contact the Library once they have registered and have received their library card.
Residential students can also use some special library schemes to gain access to other UK libraries on a reference-only basis, for example during the vacation. Further information about this can be obtained from the library.
Computing facilities
All registered students are given an account on the central system which allows them to use the University IT suites, to send and receive electronic mail, to search library catalogues and access the internet. Use of the system is free, although printing is charged. There are courses available on campus to acquire the skills needed to use these systems. Getting a university computer account is also the necessary step for you to be able to use Athens, an online bibliographical resource than can secure you access to thousands of books and journals and the Department’s collection of e-books.
Accommodation
Accommodation is available in the University halls of residences, or students may choose to rent a room in town or the surrounding villages. Further details can be obtained by contacting the Accommodation Officer, Mrs Pat Thomas, in the Accommodation and Residential Services.
Additional Opportunities
Travel opportunities
All registered students are eligible to apply for the Federal University of Wales Ellen Thomas-Stanford scholarships, for travel to Europe and Mediterranean countries. Each year around 20 of our students take the opportunity to visit classical sites. The deadline for applications is, usually, around February. Please contact Siân Davies or Julie Phillips, the Departmental Administrators, if you are interested in this option.
Summer Workshop
Since 1994, a highly successful Greek and Latin Summer Workshop has been held at Lampeter; small group tuition is provided in both languages at beginners, intermediate, intermediate/advanced, and advanced levels. Courses in prose composition, Medieval Latin and Renaissance Latin are also offered. In addition to the scheduled tuition, a varied programme of social events, talks on classical topics, country walks and excursions is arranged. Students come from all over the world, from all academic backgrounds, and all age groups.