MPhil in Greek and/or Latin Languages and Literature

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.

Most 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 devise your own option, subject to approval of your set of texts. The core of the teaching for these options is a series of, typically fortnightly, one-on-one sessions with a tutor.

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. 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.

There is the possibility of specialising 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.

All MPhil students have the opportunity to attend a wide range of lectures, seminars and talks by visiting speakers. In your first year, you will also attend a class on research techniques in Classical literature, extending over two to three terms. This looks at aspects of Classical scholarship and its history, and includes direct viewing of papyri, manuscripts, vases, and other resources in Oxford. In the second and third term considerable attention is paid to presentational skills, as students deliver papers of their own to each other.

Attendance

Resources to support your study

Oxford has academic resources among the most extensive in the world for Classical languages and literature. The Ioannou Centre for Classical and Byzantine Studies offers various facilities for graduate students including a common room and a graduate study area. It is also the base for the various research projects based in the faculty.

The faculty is fortunate in having two world-class research libraries close at hand, the Bodleian and the Bodleian Art, Archaeology and Ancient World Library. The Bodleian Art, Archaeology and Ancient World Library is an open-shelf lending library indispensable to anyone studying ancient history, archaeology and art; it is also extremely useful to those studying literature or philology. The library houses the world’s largest collection of literary and documentary papyri; the Bodleian has the UK’s most important collection of Greek and Latin manuscripts.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Faculty of Classics and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Faculty of Classics.

You will be assigned a supervisor, who provides overall direction for your course. Your supervisor will arrange tutors for you for each option. You will have considerable input yourself in shaping and driving your studies. Most students have the opportunity to meet their supervisor twice a term, although more frequent meetings can be arranged as needed.

Assessment

Option courses from List A are assessed by means of three submitted essays and a paper of translation and comment.

Assessment for option courses from List B is by exam or pre-submitted work or a combination of the two.

Your thesis 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 (ie third) term of your second year.

Graduate destinations

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. We have a Sub-Faculty Placement Officer, and the University Careers Office provides help for classicists. 

College preference

The following colleges accept students on the MPhil in Greek and/or Latin Languages and Literature: