Classics PhD
Awards: PhD
Study modes: Full-time, Part-time
Funding opportunities
Programme website: Classics
Our Classics research group is one of the most significant clusters of scholars in the UK, working in all areas of the discipline: Greek and Latin language, literature and thought; Greek, Roman and Byzantine history; and classical archaeology from the Archaic period through to Late Antiquity.
Research topics
We welcome applications from anyone keen to work on topics that overlap with the research interests of our academic staff. Major research interests include:
- Homer and early Greek poetry
- Greek philosophy
- Greek drama
- Hellenistic and Roman poetry
- classical Greek and Hellenistic history
- the ancient economy
- Archaic and Classical Greek archaeology
- Judaism in the ancient world
- Byzantine history and literature
- the Roman republic
- Cicero
- Roman imperial history
- Greek literature of the Roman empire *late Roman literature and history
- Christianity in the Roman empire
- ancient slavery
- ancient law
- epigraphy
- gender in antiquity
- the reception of classical antiquity
- Greek sculpture
- mythology in art
- Roman and late antique archaeology
Research culture
Our research culture centres on the weekly research seminar which welcomes distinguished speakers in all fields of classics, one of the most high-profile and best-attended events of its type in the UK. Every year we host major international conferences (including the biennial conference on a Greek topic endowed by the Leventis Foundation, which is organised by an eminent visiting professor), as well as a wide range of one-day events.
Find out more about compulsory and optional courses
We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
PhD | 3 Years | Full-time | Programme structure 2020/21 |
You will be assigned two supervisors who will provide expert academic guidance on your chosen research topic. You will meet regularly to discuss your progress and research plans, as well as drafts of your thesis/dissertation chapters, conference papers and potential articles.
In addition to individual supervision, all our PhD students pursue an individually tailored programme of research and professional skills training agreed with their supervisors.
Our building offers you exceptional, modern facilities, resources and study spaces, in a stunning location.
Our postgraduate students have access to:
- A dedicated study and computing lab with printing, copying and scanning facilities, overlooking the Meadows, one of the city’s best-loved green spaces
- Two research rooms, shared with undergraduates, housing some of our impressive book collections and a small selection of computing facilities
- A large common room overlooking the Meadows, shared by graduate students and staff
- Our PhD study room. Subject to available desk space, you may apply after semester one of your first year.
- A number of small-scale teaching rooms, well-equipped with facilities such as data projection and smart boards
- Exhibition areas, filled with artefacts and artwork from our collections
All of our facilities are in addition to the multiple libraries and computer labs provided across the University’s estate. Many of our rooms overlook the Meadows.
Our location, right in the heart of Edinburgh, means you will be based close to the city’s cultural attractions and facilities, including a wealth of libraries, archives, museums and galleries, which provide uniquely rich support for the disciplines we teach.
Our PhD students develop a highly valued set of research and professional skills which enable them to go on to a wide variety of careers.
Many of our PhD students wish to pursue an academic career, and we have an excellent record of helping our students obtain research and teaching posts in universities in the UK and overseas.
PhD students also develop a portfolio of skills which are highly desirable across a wide range of sectors, from museums and heritage to the civil service, banking and the law.
A UK 2:1 honours degree in a relevant discipline and a relevant masters degree with an overall mark of at least 65%, or or international equivalent.
We may also consider your application if you have relevant professional experience; please check with your potential supervisor before you apply.
International qualifications
Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:
English language requirements
You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.
English language tests
For 2021 entry we will accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
- IELTS: total 7.0 (at least 6.0 in each module)
- TOEFL-iBT (including Special Home Edition): total 100 (at least 20 in each module). We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
- CAE and CPE: total 185 (at least 169 in each module)
- Trinity ISE: ISE III with a pass in all four components
Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
Degrees taught and assessed in English
We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:
We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries.
If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than three and a half years old at the beginning of your programme of study.
Find out more about our language requirements:
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
PhD | 3 Years | Full-time | Tuition fees | |
PhD | 6 Years | Part-time | Tuition fees |
Featured funding
- School of History, Classics & Archaeology Doctoral Scholarships
- Research scholarships for international students
- Principal's Career Development PhD Scholarships
UK government postgraduate loans
If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK government loan schemes. The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on your programme, the duration of your studies, and your residency status. (Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.)
Other funding opportunities
Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:
- Graduate School Office,
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 3772
- Contact: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
- Programme Director, Dr Kim Czajkowski
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4581
- Contact: K.Czajkowski@ed.ac.uk
- School of History, Classics & Archaeology
- Graduate School Office, Room 2.29, William Robertson Wing
- Teviot Place
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9AG
- Programme: Classics
- School: History, Classics & Archaeology
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
- Prospectus: History, Classics & Archaeology prospectus (PDF)
Applying
Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.
PhD Classics - 3 Years (Full-time)
PhD Classics - 6 Years (Part-time)
Programme start date | Application deadline |
---|---|
13 September 2021 | 2 August 2021 |
If you are applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.
You must submit two references with your application.
You must submit a research proposal demonstrating your knowledge of your field of research, which will be closely scrutinised as part of the decision-making process.
Two supervisors will be appointed to work with you on the project.
If necessary start dates outwith September and January are available. Please begin your application using the closest date and contact the Graduate School to discuss the matter.
Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:
Further information
- Graduate School Office,
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 3772
- Contact: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
- Programme Director, Dr Kim Czajkowski
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4581
- Contact: K.Czajkowski@ed.ac.uk
- School of History, Classics & Archaeology
- Graduate School Office, Room 2.29, William Robertson Wing
- Teviot Place
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9AG
- Programme: Classics
- School: History, Classics & Archaeology
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
- Prospectus: History, Classics & Archaeology prospectus (PDF)