Close
This MA offers students the opportunity to specialise in an exciting and multi-faceted field of study that covers the history and culture of the Mediterranean world during the long millennium from the foundation of Constantinople (modern Istanbul) in 324 to the fall of the Byzantine empire in 1453.
Key information
Programme starts
September 2020
Modes and duration
Application dates
Tuition fees (2020/21)
Note on fees:
The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website.
Entry requirements
A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. A basic knowledge of a relevant ancient or medieval language is a prerequisite.
English language requirements
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.
The English language level for this programme is: Advanced
Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.
International students
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below.
Select your country:
About this degree
Students gain a thorough grounding in key aspects of and approaches to late antique and Byzantine studies. They acquire necessary research skills (ancient languages, palaeography, epigraphy, papyrology) and develop their critical and conceptual understanding of the field through a variety of disciplines (history, literature, material culture, philosophy).
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of one core language or research skills module (40 credits), optional modules (80 credits), and a research dissertation (60 credits).
Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MA in Late Antique and Byzantine Studies.
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.
Compulsory modules
Either one language acquisition module, or a research skills module (40 credits). These include:
- Beginners Ancient Greek for Research
- Intermediate Ancient Greek for Research
- Beginners Latin for Research
- Intermediate Latin
- Sources and Methods in Ancient History
- Greek Epigraphy
- Greek Papyrology
- Latin Epigraphy
- Medieval Latin Literature
Optional modules
Optional modules will be finalised in Spring 2018. Please contact the department for more information. The following optional modules were available in 2017/18 and this is an indicative list only:
- The Making of the Christian Empire, AD 284-425
- Late Antique Magic (King's College)
- One God, One Sea: Byzantium and Islam, 600-800 AD
- Elementary Greek Palaeography (Royal Holloway)
- Medieval Latin Literature
- Themes and Debates in Islamic Archaeology and Heritage
- Hellenistic Epigraphy
- Homer's Legacy
- Hellenistic Encounters with Egypt
- Official and Unofficial Religion (King's College)
- Living in Byzantium: Material Culture and Built Environment
- Recording the Crusades - the Memory of the Crusades
- Introduction to Latin Epigraphy
- The Economy of Archaic Greece
- The Economy of Classical Athens
- The Making of the Modern Christian Empire, AD 284-425
- Further information about these modules is available on the department website.
Dissertation/report
All students attend the Introduction to Byzantium seminar, leading to an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of up to 12,000 words.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of seminars, lectures, workshops and library visits. Assessment is through unseen examinations, coursework essays and the dissertation.
Additional costs
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.
Funding
Scholarships relevant to this department are displayed below.
Jean Orr Scholarship
- Value:
- £7,000 (1 year)
- Eligibility:
- UK, EU, Overseas
- Criteria:
- Based on academic merit
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Careers
Graduates of the programme are equipped with the skills necessary for further doctoral study in this field. The programme also leads to careers in research or teaching, cultural management, general management, civil service and banking.
Employability
Debates, small group seminars and tutorials help students to acquire strong presentation and negotiation skills for their future career. Likewise the analytical and research skills gained by students on this programme are highly valued by employers from a range of industries. There are many additional activities available, both within the department and the wider UCL community, to help students focus on employability skills whilst they are here, for example, departmental careers talks and networking opportunities with history alumni.
Why study this degree at UCL?
UCL History enjoys an outstanding international reputation for its research and teaching.
This intercollegiate programme is taught jointly with King's College London and Royal Holloway, University of London, and students benefit from the international expertise and wealth of resources that the three colleges have to offer.
Located in Bloomsbury, UCL History is just a few minutes' walk to the British Library, the British Museum and the research institutes of the University of London, including the Warburg Institute and the Institute of Historical Research. UCL is ideally located at the heart of various historical societies and academic communities.
Department: History
Application and next steps
Applications
Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.
There is an application processing fee for this programme of £80 for online applications and £105 for paper applications. Further information can be found at: www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.
Who can apply?
The programme is suitable for students with a humanities or social science undergraduate degree who wish to gain the skills necessary for further research in this field.
Application deadlines
- All applicants
- 11 August 2020
For more information see our Applications page.
Apply nowWhat are we looking for?
When we assess your application we would like to learn:
- why you want to study Late Antique and Byzantine Studies at graduate level
- why you want to study Late Antique and Byzantine Studies at UCL
- what particularly attracts you to this programme
- how your academic background meets the demands of a challenging academic environment
- where you would like to go professionally with your degree
Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.
UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.
Page last modified on 13 August 2020