Late Antique & Byzantine Studies

Advanced study of the history and culture of the Eastern Mediterranean world, from the foundation of Constantinople in 330 to the fall of the Byzantine empire in 1453. Wide range of modules in research skills (languages, palaeography, epigraphy, papyrology) and history, literature, culture, philosophy and theology. Leads to further research or careers in education, journalism, finance, politics and cultural sectors.

• International expertise in the languages and history of the Late Roman and Byzantine periods.
• World-leading reputation for research and teaching.
• The combined research resources of the University of London.
• Areas of current research in the Centre for Hellenic Studies at King's include charity and remembrance in the Palaiologan period, Byzantine architecture, Cyprus from Late Antiquity to the Middle Ages, archaeology and epigraphy of Asia Minor, middle Byzantine literary culture, Byzantine theology, Byzantine relationships with East and West.

Follow King's Hellenic Studies on facebook. Student destinations Programme leader/s Awarding Institution Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent) Duration Location Year of entry 2013
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For students whose previous training has been in a related subject in the humanities. To give a grounding in the subject, normally with a language-training element in medieval Greek or Latin.

The MA in Late Antique and Byzantine Studies offers the opportunity to specialize in an exciting and multi-faceted field of study that covers the history and culture of the Eastern Mediterranean world during the long millennium from the foundation of Constantinople (modern Istanbul) in 330 to the fall of the Byzantine empire in 1453. The degree allows students, through the numerous modules on offer, to acquire expertise in the necessary research skills (ancient languages, palaeography, epigraphy, papyrology) and in a variety of disciplines (history, literature, material culture, philosophy, theology).

Core programme content

All students must take

• Dissertation module 7AABMB01 Research Training & Dissertation
• At least one research skill module (see list below)
• At least two special subject modules (see list below).

Indicative non-core content
Please note: it cannot be guaranteed that all modules are offered in any particular academic year.

Research skills modules 

• 7AACM005 Beginners' ancient Greek for research (King's)
• 7AACM015 Intermediate ancient Greek for research (King's)
• 7AACM290 Medieval Latin Literature (King's)
• 7AACM730 Greek Epigraphy (King's)
• 7AACM731 Latin Epigraphy (King's)
• 7AAH1003 Skills for Medievalists: Latin for Graduates (King's)
• 7AAYM109 Latin Palaeography (King's)
• A graduate modern language module (King's)
• A digital humanities module (King's)
• MB23/HS5123A Elementary Greek Palaeography (RHUL)
• MB380/HS5124A Greek Palaeography (RHUL)
• HS5127 Greek Hands of the Palaeologan Period (13th-15th century) (RHUL)
• HS5128 Byzantine Autographs of the Palaeologan Period (13th-15th century) (RHUL)
• CLASGG03 Greek Papyrology (UCL)
• CLASGL01 Latin for Research 1 - beginners (UCL)
• CL5765 Latin for Research 2 - for students who have completed a beginners' module in Latin (UCL).

Special subject modules

• 7AABMA26 The Greek Novel and its Influence (1st to 21st C) (King's)
• 7AABMB10 Living in Byzantium: Material culture and built environment (c.AD 300-1500) (King's)
• 7AABMB11 Cyprus from Late Antiquity to the Renaissance: A Byzantine island through the ages (King's)
• 7AABMB12 One God, One Sea: Byzantium and Islam, 600-800 (King's)
• 7AABMB13 Byzantium and the West, A. D. 800-1000 (King's)
• 7AAH1011 Law and Society from Constantine to Charlemagne (King's)
• 7AAN2055 Philosophy in the Islamic World (King's)
• 7AAN4048 Medieval Philosophy (King's)
• CL5314 The Late Roman and Early Byzantine City (RHUL)
• CLAFG500 Philosophy under the Roman Empire (RHUL)
• HS5219 Byzantium and the First Crusade (20 credits) (RHUL)
• HS5220 Byzantium and the Fourth Crusade (20 credits) (RHUL)
• 91AHG026 Codes and Practice: the World of Roman Law from Antiquity to the Early Middle Ages (UCL)
• CLASGR02 Homer's Legacy (UCL)
• MDVLGH01 Medieval Papacy (UCL)
• MDVLGH03 Identity and Power in Medieval Europe, AD 500-1300 (UCL)
• HICL079P: Language and Power in the later Roman Empire (20 credits) (BBK)
• HICL004P: Ancient Political Thought and its Medieval Legacy (20 credits) (BBK).

All taught modules assessed by coursework and/or examination plus a compulsory dissertation which accounts for 25 per cent of the total mark.


General entry advice

You must provide official transcripts of all prior undergraduate (and higher) level study as part of your application, as well as two detailed academic references.  We aim to process all applications within four to six weeks, although this may take longer in February and March, and over holiday periods. Whenever possible, an interview with one or more members of the academic staff is an important part of the admission process. Normally, in your own interest, you are advised to visit the Centre for Hellenic Studies at King's, and interviews can be conducted at any time in the year provided that your application papers have been received and sufficient time allowed for an interview to be arranged. Alternatively, it is sometimes possible for interviews to be arranged in Athens, Thessaloniki or Nicosia. Phone or Skype interviews are an alternative method for overseas students.

In your personal statement, please provide some information on your current knowledge of/proficiency in both ancient and/or modern languages.

The Centre for Hellenic Studies, King’s College London, announces up to 4 scholarships for its MA (Master’s) programmes in Modern Greek Studies and in Late Antique and Byzantine Studies, beginning in September 2013. Each scholarship has the value of £2,500 and is offered for either one year of full-time study or two years part-time.

Applicants must already have accepted the offer of a place on one of these programmes of study by the closing date. When an offer is conditional on qualifications not yet obtained by the closing date, any offer of a scholarship automatically lapses if the condition for entry has not been met by, at the latest, 1 September.

There is no separate application form, but those who wish to be considered must confirm this by an email message to the Director before the closing date. After the closing date, all eligible applications on the College’s online Admissions Portal will be assessed by the academic staff of the Centre and decisions made known to applicants as soon as possible thereafter.

The closing date is Monday 10 June 2013.