Hellenic Studies

The Hellenic Studies programme at Royal Holloway offers students an in-depth exploration of the history, culture, language, and literature of Greece from ancient times to the modern era. This interdisciplinary course is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Hellenic world, combining modules that cover classical archaeology, ancient and modern Greek language, philosophy, and literature. Students will have the opportunity to study the development of Greek civilization, its influence on Western culture, and its enduring legacy in contemporary society. The programme emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, such as language proficiency and critical analysis, preparing graduates for careers in academia, cultural heritage, publishing, or further research. Throughout the course, students engage with a diverse range of texts, artifacts, and scholarly debates, fostering a deep appreciation of Greece’s contributions to art, thought, and politics. The programme benefits from the university’s excellent resources, including access to libraries, Greek language support, and potential field trips to relevant archaeological sites and museums. Suitable for students with a keen interest in history, languages, or cultural studies, the Hellenic Studies course aims to cultivate an understanding of Greece’s rich cultural tapestry and its impact on world history, encouraging critical thinking and intercultural awareness. Graduates will emerge with a solid foundation in Greek studies, capable of analyzing historical developments and engaging with contemporary issues related to Greece and its cultural heritage.

Core 

• Dissertation 
• The Greek Tradition 
• Skills course - selecting one of the following options:
  • Classical Greek language: Beginners' ancient Greek for research or Intermediate ancient Greek for research
  • Byzantine Greek (II) language
  • Aspects of Modern Greek language and culture
  • Comparative Philology of Latin and Greek
  • The Greek Dialects
  • Greek Epigraphy
  • Greek Papyrology
  • Greek Palaeography: Elementary Greek Palaeography or Greek Palaeography 

Optional - selecting one of the following courses:

• Homer (in Greek)
• Greek Lyric Poetry
• Four Greek Plays
• Attacking the theatre
• Defending the theatre
• The Ancient Novel (in translation)
• Dialogues of Plato
• Sources and Methods in Ancient History
• Territory and Identity in Ancient Greece
• The Aegean from the First Farmers to Minoan States
• The Late Bronze Age Aegean
• The Economic and Social History of Archaic and Classical Greece
• Greek Religion in a Mediterranean Society
• Studying Ancient Myth
• Pausanias
• City of Rome
• The City of Rome (British School at Rome Annual Postgraduate Course)
• Greek pottery and painting
• Ancient mosaics: making and meaning
• Living in Byzantium: Material culture and built environment (ca. AD 300-1500)
• Alexander's Afterlife
• Ancient Greek Theatre and its Reception
• Approaches to the Reception of the Classical World
• Greeks & Jews
• The reign of Constantine I
• Byzantium and the First Crusade
• Byzantium and the Fourth Crusade

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree (Bakalavr). Students who have successfully completed a four year Bachelor's degree (Baklavar) in an appropriate subject with good grades/GPA and at a reputable university will be considered for entry to a Royal Holloway Master's degree programme. Exact requirements will depend upon the programme, but most departments will ask for a minimum final grade of either 3.5/5.0 (70%) or 4.0/5.0 (80%).
• This course attracts students from a wide range of different disciplines including classics, history, theology, philosophy, literature, law, education, museum studies and palaeography.
• Interviews are usually offered to applicants and in some cases a sample of essays is required. Applicants who are unable to attend an interview, such as overseas students, will be interviewed by telephone
• Specialist Diploma. Students who have successfully completed a Specialist Diploma in an appropriate subject with good grades/GPA and at a reputable university will be considered for entry to a Royal Holloway Master's degree programme. Exact requirements will depend upon the programme, but most departments will ask for a minimum final grade of either 3.5/5.0 (70%) or 4.0/5.0 (80%). 
• IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in writing and no subscore below 5.5
• You are required to register your one reference, even if you have uploaded a copy of their reference. You may be contacted to submit a 2nd reference if we need further information to assess your suitability for the programme you have applied for.
• Copies of the transcripts from your undergraduate degree (this can be a transcript of your progress so far if you have not yet completed it)
• Copies of any other qualifications you have taken that are relevant to your chosen course
• A supporting statement, explaining your motivation to study your chosen course
• One academic reference - you can either upload a copy (this is the quickest option) or your referee can enter them directly into the online system once you've completed the application

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Scholarships

• International Excellence Scholarships
• Global Education