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Course type
Masters degree
Credits
180

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes
2 years part-time study
Read more about how long it takes
Study method
Distance learning
Course cost
Postgraduate loan available
See Fees and funding
Entry requirements
Find out more about
Entry requirements

MA in Classical Studies

Course code: F59

This masters degree provides you with the opportunity to discover what it means to do Classical Studies in the twenty-first century. You’ll investigate a range of ancient and contemporary ideas about the Greek and Roman worlds through encounters with literary texts, languages, classical mythology, historical sources and archaeological remains, and their ongoing significance for later periods, places, cultures and creative practices. By exploring the rich and dynamic scholarly perspectives and resources that are currently available, you’ll address diverse sets of questions about the ancient world. These will enable you to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to produce an independent, extended research project on a topic of your choice.

  • Explores what it means to study Classical Studies now.
  • Takes an interdisciplinary approach to studying classics and the ancient world.
  • Draws on cutting-edge research by members of the Classical Studies department.
  • Concludes with a substantial piece of independent research on a topic of your choice.
Course type
Masters degree
Credits
180

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes
2 years part-time study
Read more about how long it takes
Study method
Distance learning
Course cost
Postgraduate loan available
See Fees and funding
Entry requirements
Find out more about
Entry requirements

How to register

Select the module you will study first, read the full description, and follow the instructions to register.

Modules

To gain the 180 credits you require for this qualification, you must study the modules in the order shown below and pass part 1 before progressing to part 2.

Compulsory modules Credits Next start
MA Classical Studies part 1 (A868)

You'll explore an interdisciplinary and changing field, discover new materials, and develop original ways of studying ancient evidence. 

See full description

Register
 90 06 Sep 2025
MA Classical Studies part 2 (A869) PLANNED
 90 Sep 2025

You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:

  • Knowledge and understanding
  • Cognitive skills
  • Practical and professional skills
  • Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes.

Credit transfer

If you’ve successfully completed some relevant postgraduate study elsewhere, you might be able to count it towards this qualification, reducing the number of modules you need to study. You should apply for credit transfer as soon as possible, before you register for your first module. For more details and an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website. 

On completion

On successful completion of the required modules you can be awarded the Master of Arts in Classical Studies, entitling you to use the letters MA (Class Stud) (Open) after your name. You will have the opportunity of being presented at a degree ceremony.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website. 

We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more about the circumstances in which the University might make changes to the curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us. This description was last updated on 19 March 2024.

You must hold a UK honours degree (or equivalent), preferably with at least a 2:1 classification to study our MA in Classical Studies. Although your degree does not need to be in Classical Studies, you will need some knowledge of the subject to successfully complete this qualification.

If your degree is not in Ancient History, Ancient World Studies, Archaeology, Art History, Classics, Classical Archaeology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Greek & Roman Studies, Greek, History, Latin, Literature (of any kind), Arts & Humanities with a specialism in one of these areas or a joint honours degree combining any of these subject areas, we strongly recommend that you refer to the 'Preparatory work' listed in the Entry requirements for MA Classical Studies part 1. This module brings you up to date with the latest ideas and approaches but does not offer remedial undergraduate training if your qualifications and/or experience are inappropriate. If you’re in any doubt, please contact us before you enrol.

To study successfully for this MA, you need to be able to:

  • write clear, concise, accurate prose
  • read large quantities of text quickly, accurately and critically
  • classify evidence precisely and assess its value and reliability
  • argue logically, consistently and sceptically
  • use various sorts of evidence to support a logical argument.

How long it takes

Most students study the MA in Classical Studies part-time, completing 90 credits a year over two years. Typically, this means 20–25 study hours each week.

You must complete the MA in Classical Studies within 10 years.

Career relevance

As well as giving you the means to continue your study of the ancient world and the opportunity to explore a topic in that world which particularly interests you, the MA in Classical Studies develops intellectual flexibility and analytical thinking skills and so can help develop your career in a number of ways.

Employers recognise the unique qualities of a Classical Studies degree, valuing the skills and abilities that graduates display because of the high level of critical and independent thinking involved, the close work with sources of evidence and attention to detail, as well as the proven ability graduates have to conduct research, evaluate a range of types of evidence, and complete projects to deadlines and within word limits. Classical Studies graduates often go on to careers in museums, heritage, law, research, the Civil Service, journalism and teaching.

An MA in Classical Studies is also an essential step towards studying for a higher research degree, a PhD, which, in turn, is essential for a career in academic research or teaching in Higher Education.

Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.

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