University of Victoria

Overview

The M.A. in Greek and Roman Studies at the University of Victoria is a research-oriented, on-campus master's program that enhances your comprehension of the ancient Mediterranean world through the lenses of history, literature, and archaeology. This program empowers you to cultivate advanced abilities in academic research, critical analysis, and scholarly writing as you work towards a thesis or major research project.

• Degree: M.A. (Master of Arts) in Greek and Roman Studies
• Duration: Typically 24 months (full-time)
• Credits: Commonly 30 credits (confirm with the department)
• Delivery: On-campus
• Programme focus: Ancient Greek and Roman history, literature, and archaeology (research-based)
• Language of instruction: English
• Application: Submit through the University of Victoria graduate application process (deadlines vary by term)

What you'll study

The M.A. in Greek and Roman Studies comprises graduate coursework alongside a thesis or major research project, allowing students to develop a specialized research profile while completing required and elective components.

Typical components may include:

• Graduate seminars in subjects such as Greek literature, Greek history, Latin literature, and Roman history.
• Interdisciplinary studies that connect textual analysis with material evidence, including ancient art and archaeology.
• Research methods and scholarly practice to facilitate thesis development.
• Electives tailored to your research interests, potentially covering topics like ancient philosophy, social and economic history, and gender and identity in antiquity.
• Thesis or major research project supervised by faculty, culminating in a comprehensive piece of original scholarship.

Language and research preparation

• Students are expected to have a foundational knowledge of Greek and/or Latin relevant to their research area.
• If additional language study is necessary, it will be undertaken alongside the regular M.A. program requirements.

Entry requirements

Admission to the M.A. in Greek and Roman Studies is contingent upon academic qualifications, language preparedness, and demonstrable potential for graduate-level research.

Academic background

• A four-year bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with a minimum of a B+ (6.0 GPA) in a relevant field related to ancient Greek and Roman studies.
• Applicants must showcase a comprehensive understanding of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds.

Language preparation (Greek/Latin)

• Applicants should ideally possess balanced skills in Greek and Latin, or significant experience in one language and basic knowledge of the other.
• If language preparation is deemed insufficient, additional study may be required to achieve at least third-year undergraduate level proficiency in one language and second-year undergraduate level in the other, maintaining a minimum B+ grade in both.

Modern language reading competency

• Competency in reading French, German, or Italian upon admission is beneficial.
• Students may need to demonstrate reading proficiency in one of these modern languages prior to completing the M.A.

English language proficiency

• IELTS: minimum 6.5 (or equivalent tests)

Career prospects

Graduates of the M.A. in Greek and Roman Studies are well-equipped for a range of careers in academia, education, research, cultural heritage management, and more. The skills developed during this program—such as critical thinking, analytical writing, and interdisciplinary research—are highly valued across various fields, including museums, historical societies, and educational institutions.