Classical Archaeology (Taught)

The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2024). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.

MSt

The MSt in Classical Archaeology is designed for those who wish to build on undergraduate studies in classical archaeology, as well as for those with experience in other areas of classical studies wishing to develop an understanding of the material culture.

The MSt provides the flexibility to allow you to choose from a wide range of periods which provide broad overviews, and detailed options focusing on different specific aspects of the subject.

You will choose one period module. A list of typical period modules is provided below. Not all modules run every year.

Early Iron Age Greece, 1200-700 BC
Archaic, 800-480 BC
Classical, 500-300 BC
Hellenistic, 330-30 BC
Late Republican, 200-30 BC
Early Imperial, 30 BC-AD 120
Middle Imperial, AD 70-250
Late Antiquity, AD 280-650
Byzantine, AD 600-1453
You will then take two further option modules which will enable you to develop a deeper understanding of a particular field of research. A list of typical option subjects is provided below and more information is available on the school’s website (See Further information and enquiries). Not all modules listed will be available every year.

• Topics in Aegean Prehistory

• Roman Architecture

• Greek Coinage

• Greek Sculpture

• Greek and Roman Landscape Archaeology

• Roman Provincial Art

• Late Roman and Byzantine architecture

• The Archaeology of Greek Religion

• Historical Narrative in Art

• Aegean Bronze Age Trade OR Religion

• Burials, settlements, and society in Iron Age Greece, 1200-650 BC

• Greek Vases

• Greek and Roman wallpaintings

• Etruscan Italy

• Hellenistic Far East

• Gandharan Art and the Classical World

• Pompeii and Ostia

• Roman Coinage

• Archaeology of the Roman Economy

• Maritime Archaeology

• Lived Religion in Late Antiquity

You may also be permitted to study an unlisted topic within Classical archaeology, or another directly related to it, provided that the topic is appropriate and teaching is available. If you are seeking a broader course then you may, if you wish, in addition to one period option and one subject option, select a third subject from among those offered by a number of cognate disciplines.

Teaching is mainly through small-group tutorials or classes of usually one to five students, for which you prepare short essays on a weekly basis, supplemented by a wide range of lecture courses and graduate seminars.

The School of Archaeology also provides specialist skills seminars.

Graduate students run their own organisation, Graduate Archaeology at Oxford, which provides further skills seminars, a mentoring programme, social events and a very successful conference series. This provides many opportunities for you to develop your skills, present your research and develop ideas for the next stage of your career.

MPhil

The MPhil in Classical Archaeology is designed for those interested in continuing to a doctorate in Classical archaeology, and for those with experience in other areas of classical studies wishing to develop an understanding of the material culture.

The MPhil combines the flexibility of the MSt in Classical Archaeology, which allows you to choose from a wide range of broad periods and detailed options, with the opportunity to research a topic of your choice in the form of a thesis.

For the full description, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas