Teaching & modules
Modules
Required modules
- Sources & Methods in Ancient History (30 credits)
- Dissertation (60 credits)
Optional modules
In addition, students are required to choose modules totalling 30 credits from a range of History modules that may typically include:
- Alexander’s Afterlife (15 credits)
- Persepolis: a cultural biography of the 'wonder of the East' (15 credits)
- Greek Religion
- Classical Frontiers: Northern Black Sea in Antiquity (15 credits)
- Pompeii and Herculaneum: History, Society & Afterlife (15 credits)
- Greek Epigraphy (15 credits)
- Roman Britain
- Christian persecution: Violence and memory under Rome (15 credits)
Students are also required to take 60 credits from a range of options that may typically include:
- The City of Rome (British School at Rome Postgraduate Course) (30 credits)
- Beginners’ Ancient Greek for Research (30 credits)
- Intermediate Ancient Greek for Research (30 credits)
- Black Classicisms
- Hellenistic Poetry (15 credits)
- Latin literary letters (15 credits)
- The Ancient Pantomime Dancer (15 credits)
- Roman Comedy (15 credits)
- Medieval Latin Literature (30 credits)
- Engaging Greece: experiencing the past and responding to the present
- Greek Sculpture and its Legacy (30 credits)
- The Art of Making: Craft Production from Classical Antiquity to Today (30 credits)
- Living in Byzantium (15 credits)
- Exhibiting Classical Antiquities (15 credits)
You can also choose from the many MA modules offered by:
- University College London Department of Greek & Latin
- University College London Department of History
- University College London Institute of Archaeology
- Royal Holloway University London Department of Classics
- Royal Holloway University London Department of History
- Institute of Classical Studies
You may also choose to take 15 credits from our Modern Language Centre. All subject to approval.
If studying as a part-time student, you will take Sources and Methods in Ancient History in your first year, along with 45 to 60 credits of optional modules. In your second year, you will take your dissertation module and a further 30 to 45 credits of optional modules.
Teaching methods - what to expect
As a full-time student, you will be provided with six to eight hours of lectures and seminars each week and we will expect you to undertake 35 hours of independent study. For your dissertation we will provide five hours of supervision and we will expect you to undertake 575 hours of independent study. Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
In the Department of Classics we run a research seminar series (which we encourage MA students to attend), where you will learn about the current research of our academic staff and PhD students. Our Department also regularly hosts major research conferences with speakers from around the world.
At King’s all students on a taught programme are allocated a personal tutor who will play a key role in helping you to get the most out of your studies, providing support and encouragement for your time at university.
Personal tutors provide you with the opportunity periodically to take stock of your learning, academic progress and general wellbeing as you progress through your studies, offering guidance on how to seek further support if you need it, and how to access the range of opportunities available to you as a King's student.
During your first term at King’s you will need to decide on your MA dissertation subject, if you have not done so before you arrive. The dissertation can be related to work you are doing in a taught module, or it can be in a completely different area. On the basis of your chosen subject area we will assign you a supervisor from the Department of Classics who will discuss the topic with you and oversee your work on it.
Assessment
- Coursework
- Written/practical examinations
- Presentations
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations. Forms of assessment may typically include coursework essays, individual or group presentations and written examinations.
Application closing date guidance
Key Information
Course type:
Master's
Delivery mode:
In person
Study mode:
Full time / Part time
Duration:
One year full-time, two years part-time, September to September
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2026