MLitt Classics

The minimum requirements for entry to the MLitt in Classics are a first-class or 2.1 degree or equivalent. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.

In reviewing applications for the MLitt, the School of Classics looks especially at:

• your statement of your plans for the MLitt and for future study or careers
• your academic background and level of performance (especially in courses relevant to the MLitt, and in any research projects or dissertations that you may have completed)
• evidence of your ability to complete a high-level MLitt dissertation and of potential to progress to further research degrees (particularly evidenced by your sample of written work)
• whether St Andrews is a good match for your specialist interests.

The MLitt Convenor is happy to be contacted and, if necessary, to set up a meeting in person or virtually so that you can discuss your plans and to ensure that St Andrews is the best place for you to pursue a Masters degree.

If you have any queries concerning the programme or your suitability for it, you are encouraged to make contact in advance of your application.

The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.

Application requirements

• CV 
• letter of intent, including: 
  why you wish to study for an MLitt in Classics at St Andrews 
  your suitability for the programme 
  the areas that you are keen to specialise in 
  possible areas for dissertation study (the School does not expect clearly worked-out proposals, or even that you have identified a single area for your research project, just an indication of your particular areas of interest) 
  any future plans for further research or careers beyond the MLitt (not essential, but you may wish to include some detail on that if it explains your motivation for applying). 
• sample of your own, single-authored academic written work (between 2,000 and 5,000 words) 
• two original signed academic references 
• academic transcripts and degree certificates

For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.

For fees and funding options, please visit website to find out more

Postgraduates from the School of Classics go on to pursue careers in a diverse range of professional careers. For example, recent graduates have gone on to work in: 

• publishing 
• law 
• finance 
• teaching 
• university administration 
• museum curatorship.

Others have gone on to successful academic careers in the UK, North America and internationally.  

Advice on academic and other career paths is integrated into the MLitt.

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.

Compulsory

• Themes and Methods in Classical Research 1: focuses on the sources for the study of the classical world, how to access them (that is, the resources available for classical research), and how to use this material sensitively and appropriately.
• Themes and Methods in Classical Research 2: a series of seminars structured around themes in classical research, for example, the environment, performance, and reception.

Optional

Classics students have the opportunity to choose two of the following five overarching modules, one per semester. These modules are designed to give you both a familiarity with the key debates in a given subject area and the opportunity to develop a topic of your own choice with one-to-one supervision. The choice of modules allows you flexibility to develop a range of pathways and to focus, for example, on history, literary culture, philosophy or archaeology, or to focus on Greek or Roman history and literature in combination. 

Semester 1 (choose one) 

• Greek History and Material Culture
• Latin Literary Culture 

Semester 2 (choose one) 

• Greek Literary Culture
• Roman History and Material Culture
• Themes in Greek and Roman Philosophy

Optional modules are subject to change each year and require a minimum number of participants to be offered. Some may only allow limited numbers of students. Read more about curriculum development at the University of St Andrews. 

Language Modules

All students have the opportunity to study Greek or Latin from beginners’ level, or to improve their language skills through more advanced language courses. 

Students who take Greek or Latin language modules take alternative versions of the optional modules which follow the same course of study but with a reduced workload and fewer credits.

Dissertation

Each student undertakes a dissertation of 15,000 words on a specialist subject chosen in consultation with the MLitt convenor and a dedicated supervisor who is responsible for guiding you through the research process and commenting on draft sections. The completed dissertation must be submitted by mid-August. 

If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MLitt, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of a MLitt.