Greek and-or Latin Languages and Literature

The MPhil in Greek and/or Latin Literature is a 21-month taught graduate course that can be used as a route to the DPhil, if then followed by two years of doctoral study. Applicants for the MPhil wishing to enter doctoral programmes elsewhere after their master's degree at Oxford are also welcomed.

Most MPhil graduates go on to take doctorates, either in Oxford or elsewhere. Many subsequently take up university teaching or research posts after finishing their doctorates. Those who do not take doctorates go into a variety of occupations, including teaching, publishing, administration, business and other professions.

The majority of students take the shorter MSt, which the faculty recommends as the default master's choice in Greek and/or Latin languages and literature. However, the MPhil is often taken by two groups of students and designed with them in mind: those who feel that they would benefit from two more years of taught education in Classics before embarking on a doctorate; and those who have a clear idea of the topic that they hope to research eventually for their doctorate, and who wish to start extensive work on this topic already in their master's dissertation.

Nearly all students take the course as preparation for a research degree, and for such students it might offer, for instance, linguistic training; the opportunity to become acquainted with an ancillary discipline such as papyrology; engagement with a particular author's texts at a deeper level; and/or textual criticism of Greek and/or Latin; or, reception studies. The MPhil also offers, through an obligatory dissertation, the first steps in actual research and the extended presentation of a scholarly argument.

You will study three options: a thesis and any two options from lists A and B. You will study one option in your first year and the other in your second year, and will work on your thesis across both years.

List A comprises major literary texts and genres - for example, historiography, lyric poetry, Cicero, Ovid. You may also propose your own text or genre option, for approval by the Graduate Studies Committee. The core of the teaching for these options is a series of, typically fortnightly, one-on-one sessions with a tutor. Examination is by means of three submitted essays of up to 7,500 words and a paper of translation and comment. 

List B comprises more technical subjects such as the textual criticism of Greek or Latin texts, papyrology, comparative philology and reception. These options are delivered in a variety of ways, often by (typically weekly) classes. Assessment is by exam or pre-submitted work or a combination of the two. Intermediate Ancient Greek or Latin may be taken if you have not studied both languages to a high level in the course of your first degree.

Your thesis can be up to a maximum of 25,000 words. The subject has to be devised in consultation with your supervisor and approved by the Graduate Studies Committee, and must be submitted by the sixth week of the Trinity term of your second year.

There is the possibility to specialise in reception across the course by choosing the Reception module option and working on reception topics in a text/genre option, though you will still sit a translation exam as detailed below.

As an MPhil student you are assigned a supervisor, who provides overall direction for your course, and with whom you have regular meetings. Your supervisor will arrange tutors for you for each option. You will have considerable input yourself in shaping and driving your studies. 

All MPhil students have the opportunity to attend a wide range of lectures, seminars and talks by visiting speakers. In their first year, they also attend a class on research techniques in Classical literature, extending over two terms: this includes in the first term units on topics such as the history of classical scholarship and on research resources, as well as on various aspects of literary theory. In the second term considerable attention is paid to presentational skills, as students deliver papers of their own to the group.

Applicants are normally expected to be predicted or have achieved a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications), as a minimum, in Classics or a similar course of academic study with substantial course components in the area of Classics. 

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.7 out of 4.0.

If you hold non-UK qualifications and wish to check how your qualifications match these requirements, you can contact the National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC).

Degree-level competence in at least one ancient language is a requirement for admission.

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

• Official transcript(s)
• CV/résumé
• Statement of purpose/personal statement:Up to 700 words
• Written work:Two essays of 2,000 words each
• References/letters of recommendation:Three overall, generally academic

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Higher level

• Global Education
• Hill Foundation Scholarships
• Ertegun Scholarship Programme