Graduate Student Testimonials
Find out more about our students' experiences studying in our department.
After 9 years out of academia I couldn’t have wished for a more supportive yet challenging environment to take on my Masters than UCL. The Department of Greek and Latin is full of some of the most respected scholars in the field and yet you will always get an answer to your question or a meeting to talk over your draft. This academically nurturing approach is matched by the rigour and breadth of the modules available. The courses offered by UCL alone are a draw, with the chance to take on papyrology or review the history of literary criticism, but the intercollegiate access to the offerings of KCL and RHUL offer an unrivalled variety of courses, allowing students to experience a Masters that truly takes into account all that the discipline of Classics can offer. An invaluable bonus to the course itself is the geographical location of the department. UCL’s beautiful main library is nearby as is the British Museum but the department is also a short distance from the Institute of Classical Studies Library, arguably the best dedicated Classics library in the UK. I have now applied for a PhD in 21st century female receptions of Homer and I would not have reached this exciting point without the encouragement and confidence I received from my Masters at UCL.
Before starting the part-time MA in Reception of the Classical World, I was slightly nervous that it would be difficult to balance studies with the commitments of my part-time work. But that turned out not to be the case at all: UCL and the Classics department more specifically have great facilities; the lecturers and staff are always happy and quick to help with any questions; and as a city London offers unrivalled options for study (with a copy of almost every book you might need, the British Library is especially useful!). This is all to say that I’ve never been without easy access to the resources and advice I need to study effectively and get the most out of the course.
The range of modules offered reflects the wide array of specialisms that exist in the department’s faculty, and the course’s intercollegiate aspect – which means students can also take modules from King’s College London and Royal Holloway – further expands an already diverse and exciting selection of subjects for study.
This engaging outlook is further reflected in the degree’s core module, ‘Approaches to the Reception of the Classical World’, which makes use of the department’s wide-ranging expertise to offer a thorough survey of the many ways in which classical reception manifests, from the ancient world to modern minds and in all varieties of expression: art, architecture, film, literature, opera, and many else besides! As an MA student trying to better understand and focus my own research interests, I felt encouraged every step of the way to identify the right lines of enquiry, reading materials and other resources in order to develop my ideas.
When I first set out to choose the university which I would apply to for my Master’s, UCL and the Reception of the Classical World MA Programme stood out for all the reasons above and so much more, and ultimately the course and wider university community (anyone interested in joining a club or society will not be disappointed by the enormous range of activities on offer!) have thoroughly exceeded my expectations.