Classics and Ancient History

Entry requirements

Usually a 2:1 undergraduate degree is required in Ancient History, Classics, Classical Civilisation, or a related subject in Arts and Humanities, or equivalent.

Months of entry

September

Course content

The MA in Classics and Ancient History is a fascinating research-led course that allows you to observe how nearly every aspect of modern life has its roots in the the Classical world.

This master’s degree offers modules covering the cultures, histories, and literatures of ancient Greece, the Roman world, the Levant, and the Near East, and is taught by internationally-recognised academic experts.

Throughout your studies, you are encouraged to build a critical understanding and awareness of key concepts and techniques which have shaped the modern study of ancient civilisations.

You will also hone the specialist research skills needed for high-level work in a variety of fields related to the subjects of Classics and Ancient History.

Why Classics and Ancient History at Swansea?

You will study on our stunning Singleton Park campus, overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsula.

The programme is delivered within the School of Culture and Communication, home to the Graduate Centre, which is designed to promote individual and collaborative research activity of an international standard, providing a supportive environment for students pursuing postgraduate research and taught master’s study.

We also offer postgraduate training to enhance academic and professional development, and facilitate seminar programmes, workshops and international conferences through our research centres; OLCAP (the Research Group for Object and Landscape Centred Approaches to the Past), KYKNOS (the Centre for Research on the Narrative Literatures of the Ancient World), and our award-winning on-campus museum, The Egypt Centre, which is home to over 5,000 Egyptian artefacts.

You’ll be joining a leading department, with renowned research and expertise:

• 100% of Classics Research Impact is Rated as World-leading or Internationally Excellent (REF 2021).
• Classics & Ancient History at Swansea University is ranked in the Top 51-150 in the World (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026)

Your Classics and Ancient History Experience

This programme is designed to offer you the flexibility to select modules around your own personal interests and future goals. The module pathways reflect the different disciplinary sub-branches into which the study of the Classical world is typically divided.

If you have primarily literary interests, you will be able to undertake research, and focus your assessments, on primarily literature-focused modules that cover topics including Egypt, the Greco-Roman World, and Ancient Literature.

If you have primarily historical or material culture interests, you will be able to undertake research, and focus your assessments, on historical and/or material culture topics that cover areas including the Ancient World, Heritage, Law and Conflict, and Ancient Landscapes.

The modules offered reflect a variety of approaches to the study of the ancient world and its heritage. Throughout both streams, you will receive enhanced research training, thoroughly preparing you for your independent research project that you will write under the direction of a specialist supervisor. On both pathways, you will also be able to pursue the study of ancient languages.

Your study resources will include a main library that is particularly well stocked with ancient literary and documentary sources, archaeological, epigraphic, and papyrological publications, and relevant modern scholarship. Library collections include a wide range of general and specialist periodicals, and an increasing number of specialist digital resources.

You will also have access to the collections and resources in the Egypt Centre on campus, benefitting from being an active part of the thriving and supportive academic community in Classics, Ancient History and Egyptology, that sits within the Department of History, Heritage and Classics.