PhD Classics

Enjoy the flexibility to follow your own research interests, supported by our expert staff.

Our friendly research community will encourage you to develop your skills and expand your thinking. This could be through interdisciplinary research, contributing to research seminars, or organising conferences.

We offer a diverse range of expertise, spanning from ancient literature and ancient history, to the visual culture of Greek and Roman antiquity and the reception of the ancient world. Recent student research has included areas such as Dionysian Triumph Sarcophagi, The Female Portrait Statues of Aphrodisias, and Constructions of the Spartan body.

You are also welcome to join the activities and events of our research centres:

"We are a department that’s small enough for everyone to know each other, but also big enough for there to be a vibrant community of students and scholars, and we do produce excellent research, as shown by our REF returns."

- Edmund Stewart, Assistant Professor in Ancient Greek History

Read more from Edmund, including top tips for those considering a Classics PhD.

This course is mainly made up of independent study, with supervision meetings spread throughout the year. The PhD involves a minimum of two years full-time or four years part-time directed research within the university, although the usual period of study is three years full-time.

At the end of the course, you will produce a dissertation (up to 100,000 words) in your chosen area of research. You will also take a verbal examination called a viva voce, where you discuss your project in depth with an examination panel.

All periods of registration are followed by a period of writing-up (called the Thesis-Pending Period) when tuition fees are not paid and students are writing up their thesis.

All PhD students take part in annual review assessments to ensure that their project is progressing satisfactorily. An annual review usually consists of a writing sample and a written report.

For full-time students, the first year is probationary (first two years for part-time students), and the reviews for all three years of study involve a viva with an independent internal assessor.

You will have a team of at least two supervisors. Full-time students will meet with their supervisory team at least 10 times each year (six times for part-time students).

Your supervisors will help you to realise your research project and to guide you through your research. Many students will also attend conferences and publish papers in conjunction with their supervisors, to gain valuable experience and contacts in the academic community.

All PhD students are enrolled in the Faculty of Arts Researcher Training Programme, which has been designed to meet the requirements of the AHRC for doctoral student training.

Your training will be individually designed around your own needs in consultation with your supervisor, and it can include formal workshops in essential skills (such as academic writing, IT and communication), work placements and public engagement activities.