Taught courses

Core courses

There is one required training course in classical research methods and skills that runs across the two teaching semesters (20 credits). This course is specially designed for classicists and aims to introduce you to areas of the discipline beyond your own specialities and to help you with the practical skills of finding and presenting information; it also equips you with the independent skills you need to complete your dissertation.

Optional courses

Students will choose five courses from a list of options, subject to availability. Greek and Latin language courses will be offered every year, as will a number of Latin and Greek text seminars and core Ancient History and Classical Archaeology courses. Please note: at least three of your option courses must be on specific classics topics.

You will choose a further 100 credits from a wide selection of optional courses, subject to availability.  

Option Courses 2025-2026

* * Please note that the list of courses below is provisional and subject to change.  

Choose three courses from the list below:

Choose up to two courses from the list below:

Choose up to one courses from the Level 10 Classics Language Courses list below:

Choose up to one courses from the Level 10 Classics Language Courses list below:

 Priority for Level 10 courses goes to undergraduate students.

Courses for those studying from September 2026 will be available from April 2026.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching takes place in small groups with most courses taught via weekly seminars. The majority of the 20-credit courses are assessed by single pieces of coursework, usually essays of 4-5000 words, while the language courses are assessed by weekly exercises and a final exam.

Further information

You can see more details about the 2025/26 programme structure on the Degree Programme Table for the MSc in Classics. We expect the 2026/27 programme structure to be available from May 2026.