Classics and the Ancient World MA

This Classics and the Ancient World MA focuses on the literature, language, and culture of the ancient world and their later reception. In this degree, you can explore classical texts and thought in their ancient context as well as how the classical world has been reflected in later periods and consider how the ancient world has shaped the modern. It’s an interdisciplinary master’s degree that doesn’t require any prior knowledge of ancient languages, as you can study texts in translation. However, you can choose to learn ancient Greek, Latin, or other ancient languages if you wish, and you will have the option to study ancient texts in the original, if you already have advanced reading skills in ancient languages. This is an intercollegiate degree, which means you’ll be taught by the best Classics scholars from King’s, UCL and Royal Holloway.Key benefitsLearn about the ancient world beyond Greece and Rome.Choose from an extraordinarily wide choice of modules that draw on the resources of the whole of the University of London.Enjoy an unrivalled location for the study of the ancient world thanks to London’s unique range of specialist libraries, museums and galleries.Learn an ancient language, such as ancient Greek, or Latin or enhance existing linguistic skills with optional language modules.Course essentials:The KCL Classics and the Ancient World MA benefits from participation in an intercollegiate agreement with other London universities, through which we can offer modules from the finest Classics academics at King’s as well as UCL, Royal Holloway and the Institute of Classical Studies. When you study classics and the ancient world at King’s, you’ll join the best Classics department in the UK for research excellence. Being part of one of the oldest Classics departments in the UK means you’ll be surrounded by numerous ancient world experts, which is particularly valuable for your dissertation project. You’ll also have access to the Institute of Classical Studies and one of the best Classics libraries in the country. The intercollegiate nature of this MA also means you’ll get to choose from a much broader list of optional modules and enjoy teaching from all three institutions. Your MA in Classics and the Ancient World will start with a required module that will train you in the essential research skills you’ll need for the rest of your studies. This includes learning how to approach the study of ancient literature from various methodological perspectives and how to explore the reception of the ancient world in later cultures through various media. The rest of your Classics and the Ancient World MA is comprised of optional modules and a dissertation at the end of the year. You’ll get to choose from a broad list of options that covers the ancient world geographically from Britain to Persia and ranges chronologically from the Bronze Age to Late Antiquity and beyond. You can pick literature and reception modules from a curated list on a range of topics. At King’s, for example, topics range from Hellenistic poetry to ancient pantomime, from Roman comedy to the literature of the age of Nero, from explorations of Black Classicisms to Modern Greece's engagement with its past. You’ll also be able to select module options from related MAs at UCL, Royal Holloway, and the Institute of Classical Studies. You can also draw on all the options in ancient history as well as art and archaeology.Careers:EmployabilityMany Classics and the Ancient World MA graduates have gone on to excel in a range of careers, including: Teaching, Journalism, Cultural management, The Financial sector. This Classics and the Ancient World MA will also equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue further research.