| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-06-01 | - |
| 2024-01-01 | - |
Program Overview
Birmingham's Classics and Ancient History PhD and MA by Research offer extensive research opportunities in various ancient civilizations. Students develop transferable skills in research, analysis, and communication, preparing them for roles in museum, heritage, and archaeological fields. Backed by an internationally renowned research community and a century-old tradition of Classical scholarship, the program provides comprehensive support for postgraduate learning.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Department of Classics and Ancient History offers a PhD and MA by Research in Classics and Ancient History. The program allows students to conduct postgraduate research in a wide range of areas, including all the major civilizations of the ancient Mediterranean and all periods of classical antiquity. Students will join an internationally acclaimed research community. The department is ranked 8th among Classics departments in the UK in the Research Excellence Framework exercise 2021 based on research rated 4 , according to Times Higher Education.
Teaching:
The program offers training in Greek, Latin, and Ancient Egyptian, subject to program requirements and the approval of the student's supervisor. Students can study full-time or part-time, on campus or by distance learning. The College of Arts and Law is experienced in delivering high-quality distance learning to students all over the world.
Careers:
Birmingham's Classics, Ancient History, and Archaeology graduates develop a broad range of transferable skills, including familiarity with research methods, the ability to manage large quantities of information from diverse sources, the ability to organize information in a logical and coherent manner, the expertise to write clearly and concisely and to tight deadlines, critical and analytical ability, the capacity for argument, debate, and speculation, and the ability to base conclusions on statistical research. Many of the program's graduates enter roles for which their program has especially prepared them, such as museum, heritage, and archaeological posts. Other professions undertaken by graduates include fundraising, publishing, teaching, and accountancy.
Other:
The Department has a large postgraduate community that has its own forum and journal (Rosetta) and schedule of meetings at which postgraduates present their research. Postgraduates also organize an annual postgraduate colloquium which students and staff attend. Students benefit from several disciplines – Ancient History, Classics, Byzantine Studies, and Archaeology – being represented in the Department. The University of Birmingham has a distinguished tradition of Classical scholarship going back more than 100 years. At Birmingham, Postgraduate Taught and Postgraduate Research students also have the opportunity to learn graduate academic languages free of charge, to support their studies.
- UK: £4,786 full-time; £2,393 part-time
- International: £21,840 full-time; £10,920 part-time (distance learning only)
- The same fees apply to both campus-based and distance learning study. The distance learning programme also includes one fully-funded visit to campus in the first year of study.
- The above fees quoted are for one year only; for those studying over two or more years, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.
- For UK postgraduate research students the University fee level is set at Research Council rates and as such is subject to change. The final fee will be announced by Research Councils UK in spring 2024.
University of Birmingham Summary
Overview:
The University of Birmingham is a leading global university with a strong focus on research and innovation. It is committed to developing solutions for a thriving planet and improving the health of people around the world.
Services Offered:
Student Life and Campus Experience:
The University of Birmingham offers a welcoming environment for students, with opportunities to settle in, make new friends, discover the city of Birmingham, and prepare for their studies. The university also has a vision for its campus development in the next 20 years, aiming to enhance and refine the global campuses.
Key Reasons to Study There:
Global Impact:
The university's research is focused on addressing major global issues, such as climate change and global health.Multidisciplinary Collaboration:
The university encourages collaboration across disciplines to drive innovation and find solutions to complex problems.Pioneering Breakthroughs:
The university is known for its pioneering research and breakthroughs in various fields.Academic Programs:
Other:
The university has five research challenge themes that guide its focus and draw on its vast expertise and resources. These themes showcase the university's pioneering breakthroughs, multidisciplinary collaboration, and significant global impact.
Entry Requirements:
- For MRes and MA by Research programmes:
- A good (normally a 2:1 or above) Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification if you were educated outside the UK, usually in a relevant area.
- For PhD programmes:
- A Masters qualification at Merit level or above (or its international equivalent), usually in a relevant area.
- For Distance Learning Research Programmes:
- You must demonstrate that you have the time, commitment, facilities, and experience to study by distance learning.
International Students:
- General Requirements:
- A Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 14/20 from a recognised institution to be considered.
- Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.
- Specific Requirements by Country:
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- Standard Requirements:
- IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band.
- Equivalent Scores:
- TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 21 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 59 in all four skills
- Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015): Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
- English for Academic Purposes Presessional Course: If you successfully complete the course, you will be able to fulfil the language requirement without retaking a language qualification.
