MA Reception of the Classical World
Department of Greek and Latin
Course description for the Reception of the Classical World MA
Our MA in the Reception of the Classical World makes extensive use of the unique features of UCL: its central location, diverse international expertise, interdisciplinary outlook. We also have a close relationship with classics departments in Royal Holloway and Kings College London. We provide research tours of nearby research resources, such as the British Museum, the Warburg and Courtauld Institute, Sir John Soane’s Museum, and the British Film Institute. Our degree is taught by highly experienced staff from within and outside our department. Students have the opportunity to select courses from a very large range - from within our department, from other departments in UCL, and from the Intercollegiate MA degree in Classics.
Watch a short video about the MA Reception in the Classical World at YouTube.
MA degree FAQs for applicants
MA degree FAQs for current students
Apply for the MA in the Reception of the Classical World here
Talks and events for MA applicants
- Postgraduate open evening Wednesday 26 November 2025
- Online Q&A: 11 February 2026 (09.00-10.00 GMT). Join us online to learn more about the courses and ask any questions you may have. Register here
- Online Q&A: 11 March 2026 (17.00-18.00 GMT). Join us online to learn more about the courses and ask any questions you may have. Register here
Degree Structure
The MA in the Reception of the Classical World aims to provide graduate students with a thorough grounding in key aspects of and approaches to the reception of classical culture - understood broadly as its interpretation, appropriation, representation or reconstruction, and/or revision. It also aims to equip students with the tools for further research in the reception of the classical world by developing their critical and conceptual understanding in this field. Students taking this degree can take a variety of modules from within UCL designated as relevant and/or modules made available by participating institutions know as intercollegiate modules.
Students take a total of 180 credits divided as follows:
| Module | Information | |
| a) | A compulsory core module CLAS0111 Approaches to the Reception of the Classical World (30 credits) | The module aims to introduce students to the principal issues, ideas and methods involved in studying the reception of the classical world across a range of periods, societies, and media. See the module description. |
| b) | Modules to the value of 90 credits chosen with the approval of the MA Tutor. |
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| c) | A compulsory module | This module carries 60 credits. A dissertation of 12,000 – 15,000 words on an aspect of the reception of the Classical world approved by the MA Tutor ⮞ Sample MA Dissertation Topic List |
Part-time students will normally take 90 credits worth of modules in the first year and modules worth 30 credits and the dissertation (worth 60 credits) in the second year (flexible study is also available by arrangement). Note that coursework deadlines for part-time students are the same as for full-time students.
Modules Available to UCL Greek and Latin Students
UCL MA Reception students can take UCL modules and intercollegiate modules. Note that modules taken by UCL students at ICS, KCL or RHUL are subject to the academic regulations and procedures of those institutions. If you take a module from one of those institutions, that mark will be reported to UCL and will be incorporated into your degree; but the rules under which the mark is arrived at are those of the institution which provides the module.
Please note that while core modules will run every year the availability of all other modules whether at UCL or the other institutions involved in module provision may change from year to year depending on staff availability