Classics

The MA in Classics is suitable for graduates with a degree in Classics or related disciplines who want to acquire a deeper understanding of the ancient world. It offers small-group teaching and individual supervision by internationally respected specialists, and it will enable you both to deepen your understanding of the ancient world and to develop transferable skills in research, group discussion, oral presentation, and academic writing.



The UCD School of Classics is a lively community which organises a wide range of events; for instance, we host regular lectures by visiting scholars from Ireland and abroad, mentor conferences organised by graduate students and hold practical workshops in the Classical Museum.



- Small-group teaching by specialists in the area

- Intensive student participation

- The only Irish university with a Classical Museum. It is also the largest collection of Greek and Roman antiquities on display in Ireland



What Will I Learn?

- Analyse primary evidence, place it in its context, and assess its reliability

- Deliver oral presentations clearly and confidently, and engage constructively in group discussions

- Demonstrate critical understanding of diverse academic viewpoints

- Undertake independent research, and deal confidently with the various forms of primary evidence available for research in Classics

- Students who choose to begin Greek or Latin will read adapted Greek or Latin texts, and answer questions about Greek or Latin grammar and syntax

- Students who choose to study more advanced modules in Greek or Latin will read unadapted Greek or Latin texts, and answer detailed questions about language and content

Modules Cover Topics Such as:

The Epic Tradition

The Age of Marius and Sulla

Exploring New Worlds

Warfare and Society

Ancient Political Thought



Module / Trimester / Credits

Stage 1 Core Modules

GRC40360 Research Skills Autumn 10

GRC40390 Classics in Action Spring 10

GRC40350 Thesis Year-long (12 months) 30



Stage 1 Options - A)40CR:

Select 40 credits from the following modules. Up to 20 credits may be selected from GRK and LAT modules.

Students wishing to pursue research beyond the MA are strongly advised to take Greek or Latin as part of the taught MA. If you are uncertain as to what level is most suitable please contact the Head of Greek and the Head of Latin to discuss any previous study.



GRC40010 Warfare and Society in the Ancient World Autumn 10

GRC40380 Teaching in Verse: Ancient Didactic Poetry Autumn 10

GRK10090 Greek Language I Autumn 10

GRK20140 Intermediate Greek Autumn 10

GRK30100 Greek Texts: Herodotus Autumn 5

GRK30110 Greek Texts: Epic Autumn 5

LAT10090 Beginners' Latin I Autumn 10

LAT20140 Intermediate Latin Autumn 10

LAT30030 Tacitus Agricola: Empire and Resistance Autumn 5

LAT30120 Virgil's Aeneid Autumn 5

GRC40330 Exploring New Worlds Spring 10

GRC40370 Ancient Political Thought Spring 10

GRK10100 Greek Language II Spring 10

GRK20160 Introduction to Greek Texts Spring 10

GRK30130 Greek Texts: Sophocles Spring 10

LAT10100 Beginners' Latin II Spring 10

LAT20130 Catullus Spring 5

LAT20190 Cicero's Dream of Scipio Spring 5

LAT30020 Ovid and Lucan: Successors to Virgil Spring 5

LAT30140 Sallust: Bellum Catilinae Spring 5

This programme is intended for graduates with degrees in classics or related subjects including English, History, or Archaeology. An upper second class honours degree (NFQ Level 8), or the international equivalent is required.



Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.



Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD’s Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/



These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes.



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme.

Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information

https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/

Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Apply online



Who Should Apply?

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EU) applicants: Yes



Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants: No

90

Z044: 1 year full-time

Z105: 2 years part-time.

Delivery: On Campus

MA Classics (Z044) Full Time

EU fee per year - €7055

nonEU fee per year - €19200


MA Classics (Z105) Part Time

EU fee per year - €4235

nonEU fee per year - €9600


***Fees are subject to change


Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.

Z044 Classics Master of Arts

Full-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught



Z105 Classics Master of Arts

Part-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught

For students who are inspired to continue their study of classics, the MA is an ideal preparation for the PhD.



However, the quality and flexibility of the MA has allowed the majority of our graduates to pursue careers in a wide range of professions, including: teaching, heritage management, banking and business, journalism, advertising and public relations, public service, librarianship.