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Classics

PhD (NFQ Level 10)

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

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The PhD is a minimum three-year research programme, leading to the production of a thesis of around 100,000 words which will make original contribution knowledge. It is also possible to study for a research degree in Classics part-time.

The PhD is predominantly a research degree, but students will also undertake formal training in research, take language courses (Latin or Greek) at an appropriate level, and attend seminars. 

The School of Classics currently has 7 students reading for the PhD. There is a dedicated room for research students, with an extensive reference library of texts. UCD has good library facilities for research in Classics, and postgraduate students also have access to other libraries in Dublin.

About This Course

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 Options - A) Min 30CR:
Select modules from the list
 GRK10090 Greek Language I Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 30CR:
Select modules from the list
 GRK20140 Intermediate Greek Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 30CR:
Select modules from the list
 GRK30100 Greek Texts: Herodotus Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 30CR:
Select modules from the list
 GRK30110 Greek Texts: Epic Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 30CR:
Select modules from the list
 LAT10090 Beginners' Latin I Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 30CR:
Select modules from the list
 LAT20140 Intermediate Latin Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 30CR:
Select modules from the list
 LAT30030 Tacitus Agricola: Empire and Resistance Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 30CR:
Select modules from the list
 LAT30120 Virgil's Aeneid Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 30CR:
Select modules from the list
 GRK10100 Greek Language II Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 30CR:
Select modules from the list
 GRK20160 Introduction to Greek Texts Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 30CR:
Select modules from the list
 GRK30130 Greek Texts: Sophocles Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 30CR:
Select modules from the list
 LAT10100 Beginners' Latin II Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 30CR:
Select modules from the list
 LAT20130 Catullus Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 30CR:
Select modules from the list
 LAT20190 Cicero's Dream of Scipio Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 30CR:
Select modules from the list
 LAT30020 Ovid and Lucan: Successors to Virgil Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 30CR:
Select modules from the list
 LAT30140 Sallust: Bellum Catilinae Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Select modules from the list
 GRC40010 Warfare and Society in the Ancient World Autumn  10
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
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 GRC40380 Teaching in Verse: Ancient Didactic Poetry Autumn  10
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Select modules from the list
 GRK10090 Greek Language I Autumn  10
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Select modules from the list
 GRK20140 Intermediate Greek Autumn  10
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Select modules from the list
 GRK30100 Greek Texts: Herodotus Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Select modules from the list
 GRK30110 Greek Texts: Epic Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Select modules from the list
 LAT10090 Beginners' Latin I Autumn  10
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Select modules from the list
 LAT20140 Intermediate Latin Autumn  10
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Select modules from the list
 LAT30030 Tacitus Agricola: Empire and Resistance Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Select modules from the list
 LAT30120 Virgil's Aeneid Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Select modules from the list
 GRC40370 Ancient Political Thought Spring  10
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Select modules from the list
 GRK10100 Greek Language II Spring  10
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Select modules from the list
 GRK20160 Introduction to Greek Texts Spring  10
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Select modules from the list
 GRK30130 Greek Texts: Sophocles Spring  10
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Select modules from the list
 LAT10100 Beginners' Latin II Spring  10
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Select modules from the list
 LAT20130 Catullus Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Select modules from the list
 LAT20190 Cicero's Dream of Scipio Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Select modules from the list
 LAT30020 Ovid and Lucan: Successors to Virgil Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Select modules from the list
 LAT30140 Sallust: Bellum Catilinae Spring  5

I was attracted to the UCD School of Classics because of its international reputation and its Classical Museum. On arrival I found a faculty that was diverse in its interests and passionate about helping me succeed. My thesis supervisor was superb, and I felt supported by the entire staff, and whether it was in trying to master Greek or building a more robust understanding of ancient history, there was always someone there to help. There is a regular programme of research seminars, and the UCD Classical Society provides opportunities to meet like-minded students in a more informal setting. I would recommend the PhD at UCD to anyone with a passion for the classical world.

A. David Newell, USA, PhD Candidate

PhD Classics (Z121) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 7130
EU          fee per year - € 7130
nonEU    fee per year - € 13730
nonEU    fee per year - € 13730

PhD Classics (Z122) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 4710
EU          fee per year - € 4710
nonEU    fee per year - € 9200
nonEU    fee per year - € 9200

***Fees are subject to change

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: Yes


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

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showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
Z121
Classics
Doctor of Philosophy

Full-Time
Commencing May 2025
Graduate Research
Not available to International applicantsApply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
Z121
Classics
Doctor of Philosophy

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Research
Apply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
Z122
Classics
Doctor of Philosophy

Part-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Research
Apply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
Z121
Classics
Doctor of Philosophy

Full-Time
Commencing January 2026
Graduate Research
Not available to International applicantsOpens 01 Oct 2025
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
Z122
Classics
Doctor of Philosophy

Part-Time
Commencing January 2026
Graduate Research
Opens 01 Oct 2025
* you can change options at the top of the page
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