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Take your research further in the field of Classics and Ancient History. Our expertise covers a huge range of areas, with a focus on Egyptian, Roman and Greek societies across all the periods of classical antiquity.
Join an active postgraduate research community and develop the tools to successfully complete your research journey and prepare for the future.
It usually takes three years (full-time) or six years (part-time) to complete a PhD, while the normal length of an MA by Research is either one year (full-time) or two years (part-time).
The first year (or part-time equivalent) of a PhD usually includes a literature review specific to your thesis and topic. You'll begin to undertake your research and relevant training.
Your thesis is usually written in stages over the course of your PhD, and you’ll receive regular feedback.
For an MA by Research, these timescales are condensed into one year (or two years if studying part time).
Ask our subject team a question or sign up to our mailing list to stay up to date with our latest events, scholarships and subject news.
Our research expertise spans a wide range of topics. These include Classics and Ancient History in the contexts of literature, heritage, religion and archaeology, and how the modern world sees ancient societies.
You’ll have access to a dedicated supervisor with expertise in your chosen research topic, and can undertake language training in Greek, Latin or Ancient Egyptian.
among Classics department in the UK in the Research Excellence Framework exercise 2021 based on research rated 4*, according to Times Higher Education.
Choose to undertake research across a range of periods of classical antiquity and major civilisations.
Join a Department producing world-leading research.
Started in 2006, the journal is represented by several disciplines – Ancient History, Classics, Byzantine Studies and Archaeology – Rosetta is a great opportunity to gain experience of publishing and to get ready for further academic studies in museums or heritage. You can also join the annual student-run postgraduate colloquium which students and staff attend.
Most of our postgraduate research-only programmes offer a PhD or Masters by Research option, but some programmes only offer the PhD route. The PhD is taken over three-six years and the Masters by Research over one-two years. We offer flexibility so you can choose the mode of study that works for you - full-time, part-time, or distance learning.
Historical, textual and archaeological research in Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology (CAHA) weaves together the diverse civilisations of the ancient Mediterranean world, and explores their origins and after-effects in more recent periods.
Find out more about our research themes:
(for entry to a PhD). 2:1 Honours degree (for entry to an MA by Research).
For MRes and MA by Research programmes, we usually require 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.
If you’re applying for a PhD , you’ll 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 are normally taken into account, and in some cases, form an integral part of the entrance requirements.
If you’re applying for distance learning research programmes, you’ll also need to show that you have the time, commitment, facilities and experience to study by distance learning.
You'll normally need to submit a research proposal. The word count is typically 1,000-1,500 words for Arts programmes and around 2,500 words for Law programmes. See the Application Process section for more information.
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:
Full-time. Fee to be confirmed
Part-time. Fee to be confirmed
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.
* 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 2025.
We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.
The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.
Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.
Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.
These are most common in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine) subjects, but they can sometimes be available for pre-defined research projects in the arts, humanities or social sciences. These may be advertised as fully funded (with fees and a stipend) or competition funded, meaning the projects compete against other projects at each institution.
You devise your own PhD topic, find a supervisor, write a research proposal and apply to the relevant programme. If you’re offered a place at Birmingham, you can then apply for studentships or funding from various sources. Our Postgraduate Scholarships and Funding database lists all available funding.
A limited number of scholarships and studentships may be available to outstanding applicants. For further information, please explore our scholarships and funding database.
For 2025 entry Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training Partnership is offering up to 87 fully funded PhD studentships for eligible students in arts and humanities through an Open Competition and 23 studentships through Collaborative Doctoral Awards (CDA).
The deadline for AHRC funding applications is 12:00 GMT on 13 January 2025.
For 2025 entry Midlands Graduate School ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership offers pathways at the University of Birmingham in:
The deadline for ESRC funding applications is 12:00 GMT on 21 January 2025.
The Carr-Smith award is open to UK, EU and Overseas applicants studying research programmes in the School of Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology who are due to commence their research programme in September 2025.
Applications should be submitted through the Arts and Humanities Research Council funding website.
The deadline for AHRC funding applications is 12:00 GMT on 13 January 2025.
To apply for a postgraduate research programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
When proposing your own research topic you’ll need to make sure the department offers the necessary expertise. We ask that you identify an appropriate supervisor before you submit your application and contact them in the first instance to discuss your research proposal.
If there is a good fit between your proposed research and our research strengths, we’ll be able to give you advice on a draft of your research proposal before you make a formal application.
When contacting a member of our staff, it would be helpful to include the following:
Please contact only one member of staff in the first instance.
A summary of our key research areas, and staff working within those, can be found below.
The research proposal is a key part of your application, so take your time. Your potential supervisors will use it to decide if your research is something they can support.
Your proposal should be a clear and concise summary of your research. It generally consists of an outline of your proposed research project, including your main research questions and the methods you intend to use.
You should also comment on the potential impact and importance of your intended research and on how your work would interact with current trends in your academic field. It should illustrate the relevance of your topic to the research interests and expertise of the staff within your chosen department.
The word count is typically 1,000-1,500 words for Arts programmes and around 2,500 words for Law programmes.
If you are submitting your own research proposal, applications are accepted all year round. However, if you wish to start in September, we would encourage you to apply by 1 June. Whilst you are still welcome to apply after this date, it is important to allow time for us to review your application.
If you are seeking funding, please be aware that the majority of funding opportunities have deadlines in early spring so we would encourage you to apply as early as possible.
We have put together some helpful information on the research programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
If the programme has a Distance learning option then students will usually attend a residential visit in September or January, and those students wishing to attend the September residential are also encouraged to apply by 1 June 2024. The visit will take place at the end of September/beginning of October and you will receive further details once you have accepted your offer.
If you experience any difficulties with the application process and contacting potential supervisors, please contact us via the "Ask us a question" form above.
When you're ready, return to this page and begin your application by clicking APPLY NOW
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As a postgraduate researcher, you’ll benefit from tailored support to prepare you for a career in academia or set you up for a wide range of other professions.
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