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Classics

MA (NFQ Level 9)
Scholarships Available

This course is available through the following application route(s)

Duration:
1 Year
Attendance:
Full Time
Delivery:
On Campus
NFQ Level:
9 (90 credits)
Level:
Graduate Taught
Award:
Master of Arts
Next Intake:
September
Country Specific Entry Requirements:
Visit the UCD Global Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage.
Other School Leaving Requirements:
See www.ucd.ie/admissions
Curricular information is subject to change.

Duration:
2 Years
Attendance:
Part-Time
Delivery:
NFQ Level:
9 (90 credits)
Level:
Graduate Taught
Award:
Master of Arts
Next Intake:
September
Country Specific Entry Requirements:
Visit the UCD Global Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage.
Other School Leaving Requirements:
See www.ucd.ie/admissions
Curricular information is subject to change.

Apply Now

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

Modules Cover Topics Such as:

  • The Epic Tradition 
  • The Age of Marius and Sulla
  • Exploring New Worlds
  • Warfare and Society
  • Ancient Political Thought

About This Course

  • 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

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
 GRC40360 Research Skills Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 GRC40390 Classics in Action Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 GRC40350 Thesis Year-long (12 months)  30
Stage 1 Options - A)40CR:
Option Modules:
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.
 GRC40330 Exploring New Worlds Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)40CR:
Option Modules:
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.
 GRC40400 Ancient Technology and Craft Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)40CR:
Option Modules:
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.
 GRK10090 Greek Language I Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)40CR:
Option Modules:
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.
 GRK20140 Intermediate Greek Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)40CR:
Option Modules:
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.
 GRK30130 Greek Texts: Sophocles Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)40CR:
Option Modules:
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.
 LAT10090 Beginners' Latin I Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)40CR:
Option Modules:
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.
 LAT20140 Intermediate Latin Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)40CR:
Option Modules:
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.
 LAT30220 Latin Texts: Roman Epic Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)40CR:
Option Modules:
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.
 GRC40320 Making History in Antiquity Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)40CR:
Option Modules:
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.
 GRC40380 Teaching in Verse: Ancient Didactic Poetry Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)40CR:
Option Modules:
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.
 GRC40410 Inscribing the Ancient World: Approaches to Greek and Roman Epigraphy Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)40CR:
Option Modules:
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.
 GRK10100 Greek Language II Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)40CR:
Option Modules:
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.
 GRK20160 Introduction to Greek Texts Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)40CR:
Option Modules:
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.
 LAT10100 Beginners' Latin II Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)40CR:
Option Modules:
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.
 LAT20130 Catullus Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A)40CR:
Option Modules:
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.
 LAT20200 Latin Texts: Sallust Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A)40CR:
Option Modules:
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.
 LAT30030 Tacitus Agricola: Empire and Resistance Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A)40CR:
Option Modules:
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.
 LAT30230 Latin Texts: Senecan Tragedy Spring  5

Kaylin Bednarz
MA 2017

The UCD School of Classics appealed to me because of the structure of the MA programme, and especially the UCD Classical Museum. The museum is a fantastic resource that I was able to utilise both in class and on a volunteer basis. Being able to study the artefacts first hand is a benefit to anyone interested in museums, archaeology, and Classics. The faculty is open to student initiatives, and this was of great benefit to me during my time on the MA, as I was encouraged to research and publish an article about some pieces in the museum collection. The support of the faculty is extraordinary and they have created an environment that allows students to thrive. The MA in Classics at UCD is perfect for anyone interested in the Classical world.

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.

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. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

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


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Classics:

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Z044
Classics
Master of Arts

Full-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Apply
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Z105
Classics
Master of Arts

Part-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Not available to International applicantsApply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
Z044
Classics
Master of Arts

Full-Time
Commencing September 2027
Graduate Taught
Opens 01 Oct 2026
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
Z105
Classics
Master of Arts

Part-Time
Commencing September 2027
Graduate Taught
Not available to International applicantsOpens 01 Oct 2026
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