PhD in Classics

Classics at the University of Edinburgh, with its broad range of supervisors and stimulating and supportive intellectual environment, can offer you a first-class experience in focused and sustained research.

We welcome applications from anyone keen to work on topics that overlap with the research interests of our academic staff, including:

• Homer and early Greek poetry
• Ancient philosophy
• Greek drama
• Hellenistic and Roman poetry
• classical Greek and Hellenistic history
• the ancient economy
• Archaic and Classical Greek archaeology
• Jewish history in the Hellenistic and Roman Periods
• Byzantine history and literature
• the Greek East under Rome
• the Hellenistic and Roman Near East
• Roman imperial history
• Greek literature of the Roman empire
• late Roman literature and history
• Christianity in the Roman empire
• ancient slavery
• ancient law
• epigraphy
• gender in antiquity
• Greek sculpture
• mythology in art
• Roman and late antique archaeology

Our strong relationship with other subjects such as Archaeology, History, Philosophy and Law, mean that interdisciplinary study and supervision can be arranged.

Details of PhD projects currently being undertaken in the School can be found on our list of research student web profiles.  

We also interviewed a PhD in Classics student, Meg, about her time studying with us.

The PhD is a substantial piece of independent research which makes a contribution to the state of existing knowledge in the field. The PhD programme is designed to take three years full-time or six years part time. The PhD is examined by submission of a thesis of up to 100,000 words and by oral examination.

PhD students work closely with their supervisors, who are recognised experts in the field of study. All PhD students pursue an individually tailored programme of research training agreed with their supervisors, which in Classics includes a practical skills course run by the Head of Subject and the Graduate Officer in Classics as well as professional and research skills training provided by the School of History, Classics and Archaeology and the Institute for Academic Development. Full details of the training we provide are available on our PhD training pages. PhD students are also encouraged to share their research with other postgraduate students through workshops and seminars, and to take an active part in the research life of the archaeology subject area, the School and the University.

You must contact a potential supervisor  to discuss your research project before making a formal application.

If you have any questions about the programme, please contact the Programme Director:

• Fees and funding
• School guidance on  applying (link to 5 step guide)
• If you require a visa we advise that you apply as early as possible.

Deadlines:

• All candidates who want apply for funding must submit their application for a place at the University in advance of the relevant funding deadline (in December and January typically - details can be found on the funding website).
• The final deadline for which the School will consider applications for the programme is 1 July 2025.

• If you are hoping to study for this degree by distance please read further details and entry requirements here - PhD by Distance