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MRes Ancient History

Start date
September
Duration
Full-time: 1 year; Part-time: 2 years
Course Type
Postgraduate, Combined research and taught
Fees

Annual tuition fee 2024 entry:
UK: £6,780 full-time; £3,390 part-time
International: £21,840 full-time
More detail.

Carry out your own independent research project in Ancient History within one of the top departments for Classics research within the UK, while undertaking essential training to support your project.

You can complete your research project in any area of Ancient Greek or Roman history, as agreed with your supervisor. The taught component allows you to develop your skills in key fields such as classical languages or historiography, while you will also have the opportunity to choose modules from across the MA Antiquity syllabus which are complementary to your research.

Scholarships for 2024 entry

The University of Birmingham is proud to offer a range of scholarships for our postgraduate programmes. With a scholarship pot worth over £2 million, we are committed to alleviating financial barriers to support you in taking your next steps.

Each scholarship has its own specific deadlines and eligibility criteria. Please familiarise yourself with the information on individual scholarship webpages prior to submitting an application.

Explore our scholarships

What is an MRes?

An MRes is a programme that will help you develop the skills for both doctoral study and a future career. You will complete a major individual research project, supervised by a specialist in the field of study, and a taught component that develops research and analytical skills. If you are interested in applying, we strongly encourage you to contact the admissions tutor or a member of staff with interests in your field to discuss your application in general and your proposed research topic in particular.

At Birmingham, Postgraduate Taught and Postgraduate Research students also have the opportunity to learn graduate academic languages free of charge, to support your studies.

The best things about my course is the close and meticulous support I am receiving from my supervisors, as well as the sense of connection with the local research community. Life is exciting as a researcher at the University of Birmingham with lots of events, conferences and presentations by renowned scholars.

Ioannis

Why study this course?

  • Extensive academic expertise: although your focus will be on an aspect of the cultures, history and societies of the Greek and Roman world, the Ancient History grouping at Birmingham is part of one of the few university departments in the UK that draws together the study of Greece and Rome with Egypt, antiquity with Byzantium, and allows you to use historical approaches alongside those from classics and archaeology. You will therefore be able to draw on a wide range of academic expertise in the history, culture, and languages of the ancient world
  • Excellent research reputation: the department celebrated excellent results in the latest Research Excellence Framework. We were ranked 8th out of Classics departments in the UK in the Research Excellence Framework exercise 2021 based on research rated 4* (Times Higher Education).
  • Facilities: we have an outstanding research collection in the University Library, with strong holdings in periodicals and other scholarly publications, including those in relevant European languages, and subscriptions to all major online databases and e-resources.
  • Postgraduate community: 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 organise 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.
  • Transferable skills: 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 organise 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.

The postgraduate experience

The College of Arts and Law offers excellent support to its postgraduates, from libraries and research spaces, to careers support and funding opportunities. Learn more about your postgraduate experience.

Modules

Your 20,000-word thesis will be on an aspect of Greek or Roman history, culture or society. It will be supervised by a specialist in the area of your work. 

Compulsory modules for full-time students

You will study one core module: Research and Scholarship in Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology.

This research skills training module equips you for your thesis with a range of specialised and generic skills, including textual criticism, document handling, literary theory, information resources, thesis presentation and bibliographical management.

Optional modules for full-time students

You will also choose two optional modules, which may include ancient language modules at an appropriate level from a range which typically includes:

  • Herodotus and Ancient Worlds
  • Material Culture
  • The Economics of the Late Roman, Byzantine and Frankish East
  • Ideas, Ideals and Ideologies
  • Gender in Byzantium II
  • Towns, Tombs and Temples
  • Byzantine Archaeology and Material Culture
  • Funerary Archaeology 
  • Towns, tombs, and temples: the archaeology of ancient Egypt

Ancient language options
Beginners language options (students with no prior experience):

  • Latin 1
  • Latin 2
  • Greek 1
  • Greek 2
  • Egyptian Language
  • Egyptian Language

A-level Greek and Latin or equivalent experience language options:

  • Latin 3
  • Greek 3

Post A-level Greek and Latin experience language options:

  • Latin Texts
  • Greek Texts

Compulsory modules for part-time MRes Ancient History students

Research and Scholarship in Classics, Ancient History, and Archaeology

Optional modules for part-time MRes Ancient History students

Students choose 40 credits of optional modules, which may include ancient language modules at an appropriate level.  Students may choose TWO 20-credit options, one from each semester OR students may choose TWO 20-credit options in Semester 2.

Examples of modules:

  • Herodotus and Ancient Worlds
  • Gender in Byzantium II
  • Archaeological Theory, Method and Interpretation
  • Material Culture
  • Funerary Archaeology
  • Towns, tombs, and temples: the archaeology of ancient Egypt

Ancient language options
Beginners language options (students with no prior experience):

  •  Latin 1
  • Latin 2
  • Greek 1
  • Greek 2
  • Egyptian Language 1
  • Egyptian Language 2

A-level Greek and Latin or equivalent experience language options:

  • Latin 3
  • Greek 3

Post A-level Greek and Latin experience language options:

  • Latin Texts
  • Greek Texts

For more information, see our Classics and Ancient History module descriptions.


Please note that the optional module information listed on the website for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.

Fees

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2024 entry are as follows:

  • UK: £6,780 full-time; £3,390 part-time
  • International: £21,840 full-time

Fee status

Eligibility for UK or international fees can be verified with Admissions. Learn more about fees for international students

Paying your fees

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.

Scholarships and studentships

Scholarships to cover fees and/or maintenance costs may be available. To discover whether you are eligible for any award across the University, and to start your funding application, please visit the University's Postgraduate Funding Database.

International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government.

How To Apply

Application deadlines

The deadline for International students (including EU) to apply is 7 May 2024. The deadline for UK students is 30 August 2024.

Six easy steps to apply for a postgraduate research course in the College of Arts and Law

Before you make your application

Please refer to our six step process on applying for PhD, MA by Research and MRes opportunities for Arts subject areas, which includes detailed advice on research proposals and how to write them.

Making your application

When clicking on the Apply Now button you will be directed to an application specifically designed for the programme you wish to apply for where you will create an account with the University application system and submit your application and supporting documents online. Further information regarding how to apply online can be found on the How to apply pages

Apply now

Our Standard Requirements

Our requirements for postgraduate research are dependent on the type of programme you are applying for:

  • For MRes and MA by Research programmes, entry to our programmes usually requires 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.
  • Applicants for a PhD will also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above (or its international equivalent), usually in a relevant area.

Any academic and professional qualifications or relevant professional experience you may have are normally taken into account, and in some cases, form an integral part of the entrance requirements.

If you are applying for distance learning research programmes, you will also be required to demonstrate that you have the time, commitment, facilities and experience to study by distance learning.

If your qualifications are non-standard or different from the entry requirements stated here, please contact the admissions tutor.

International students

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries - use our handy guide below to see what qualifications we accept from your country.

English language requirements: standard language requirements apply for this course - IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band. If you are made an offer of a place to study and you do not meet the language requirement, you have the option to enrol on our 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.

IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band is equivalent to:

  • 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

Learn more about international entry requirements

International Requirements


Academic staff in Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology are undertaking research in a variety of areas, from exploring the earliest settlements to unravelling the complex archaeology of modern industrial societies, utilising both traditional applied techniques and cutting edge technologies to reconstruct the past in imaginative and innovative ways.

Please contact a staff member working in your area of interest in the first instance. 

Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology staff research supervision areas

As an MRes Ancient History student, you will attend a wide range of seminars, lectures, and training classes as part of the taught components of your course. You will conduct your thesis research independently, guided by a supervisory team (usually a lead supervisor and co-supervisor) selected for their expertise and experience relevant to your research project, with supervisory meetings taking place on a regular basis. 

You will join the wider, dynamic community of Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology staff and students at the University with opportunities to attend seminar series, public lectures, social events, and potentially participate in departmental field projects.

You will also become part of, and contribute to, the lively international community of the College of Arts and Law Graduate School, which offers dedicated research resources and a supportive working environment. Our team of academic and operational staff are on hand to offer support and advice to all postgraduate students within the College.

Your degree will provide excellent preparation for your future career, but this can also be enhanced by a range of employability support services offered by the University and the College of Arts and Law.

The University's Careers Network provides expert guidance and activities especially for postgraduates, which will help you achieve your career goals. The College of Arts and Law also has a dedicated  careers and employability team who offer tailored advice and a programme of College-specific careers events.

You will be encouraged to make the most of your postgraduate experience and will have the opportunity to:

  • Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique, whether you are looking for a career inside or outside of academia
  • Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations
  • Attend an annual programme of careers fairs, skills workshops and conferences, including bespoke events for postgraduates in the College of Arts and Law
  • Take part in a range of activities to demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers and enhance your CV

What’s more, you will be able to access our full range of careers support for up to 2 years after graduation.

Postgraduate employability: Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology

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 organise 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 our postgraduates enter roles for which their programme has especially prepared them, such as museum, heritage and archaeological posts. Elsewhere, a range of professions are undertaken by our graduates, including fundraising, publishing, teaching and accountancy.

Dr David Creese, PhD Classics