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University of Oxford: Classical Archaeology
| Institution | University of Oxford |
|---|---|
| Department | Archaeology |
| Web | http://www.ox.ac.uk/study |
| graduate.admissions@admin.ox.ac.uk | |
| Telephone | +44 (0)1865 270059 |
DPhil
Summary
The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2025). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.
The DPhil in Classical Archaeology provides the opportunity to pursue independent research in a wide range of periods and subjects, ranging from the prehistoric Aegean through the Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods to Byzantium.
The DPhil is a full-time degree that is examined only by thesis and there is no formal course of instruction. Instead, you will develop your own topic under the guidance of your supervisor, who will be an expert in their field of research. There is also the possibility to develop projects which cross disciplinary boundaries, for example in ancient history or archaeological science as appropriate.
You will be encouraged to attend specialist skills seminars, lectures and to participate in research seminars, particularly the numerous and wide-ranging weekly seminar series organised within the cutting-edge Historical and Classical Research Group. These also often provide opportunities for research students to present their own work.
Graduate students also run their own organisation, Graduate Archaeology at Oxford, which provides further skills seminars, a mentoring programme, social events and a very successful conference series. This provides many opportunities for you to develop your skills, present your research and develop ideas for the next stage of your career.
The school strongly encourages fieldwork and there are often opportunities for joining fieldwork in relation to projects led by academic staff.
| Study type | Research |
|---|---|
| Level | RQF Level 8 |
| Entry requirements | For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas |
| Location | University of Oxford University Offices Wellington Square Oxford OX1 2JD |
Summary
The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2024). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.
The DPhil in Classical Archaeology provides you with the opportunity to pursue substantial independent research from within a wide range of periods and subjects, ranging from the prehistoric Aegean through the Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods to Byzantium.
The DPhil is a full-time degree that is examined only by thesis and there is no formal course of instruction. Instead, students develop their own topic under the guidance of their supervisors, who are experts in their field of research. There is also the possibility to develop projects which cross disciplinary boundaries, for example in ancient history or archaeological science as appropriate.
Details of the School of Archaeology's research areas and themes, and recently completed DPhil projects are listed on the school's website. (See Further information and enquiries).
You will be encouraged to attend specialist skills seminars, lectures and to participate in research seminars, particularly the numerous and wide-ranging weekly seminar series organised within the cutting-edge Historical and Classical Research Group. These also often provide opportunities for research students to present their own work.
Graduate students also run their own organisation, Graduate Archaeology at Oxford, which provides further skills seminars, a mentoring programme, social events and a very successful conference series. This provides many opportunities for you to develop your skills, present your research and develop ideas for the next stage of your career.
The school strongly encourages fieldwork and there are often opportunities for joining fieldwork in relation to projects led by academic staff.
| Study type | Research |
|---|---|
| Level | RQF Level 8 |
| Entry requirements | For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas |
| Location | University of Oxford University Offices Wellington Square Oxford OX1 2JD |
Summary
The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2023). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.
The DPhil in Classical Archaeology provides you with the opportunity to pursue substantial independent research from within a wide range of periods and subjects, ranging from the prehistoric Aegean through the Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods to Byzantium.
The DPhil is a full-time degree that is examined only by thesis and there is no formal course of instruction. Instead, students develop their own topic under the guidance of their supervisors, who are experts in their field of research. There is also the possibility to develop projects which cross disciplinary boundaries, for example in ancient history or archaeological science as appropriate.
Details of the department's research areas and themes, and recently completed DPhil projects are listed on the department's website. (See Further information and enquiries).
You will be encouraged to attend lectures and participate in research seminars, particularly the numerous and wide-ranging weekly seminar series organised within the cutting-edge Historical and Classical Research Group. These also often provide opportunities for research students to present their own work. The department strongly encourages fieldwork and there are often opportunities for joining fieldwork in relation to projects led by academic staff.
| Study type | Research |
|---|---|
| Level | RQF Level 8 |
| Entry requirements | For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas |
| Location | University of Oxford University Offices Wellington Square Oxford OX1 2JD |
MSt
Summary
The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2024). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.
MSt
The MSt in Classical Archaeology is designed for those who wish to build on undergraduate studies in classical archaeology, as well as for those with experience in other areas of classical studies wishing to develop an understanding of the material culture.
The MSt provides the flexibility to allow you to choose from a wide range of periods which provide broad overviews, and detailed options focusing on different specific aspects of the subject.
You will choose one period module. A list of typical period modules is provided below. Not all modules run every year.
Early Iron Age Greece, 1200-700 BC Archaic, 800-480 BC Classical, 500-300 BC Hellenistic, 330-30 BC Late Republican, 200-30 BC Early Imperial, 30 BC-AD 120 Middle Imperial, AD 70-250 Late Antiquity, AD 280-650 Byzantine, AD 600-1453 You will then take two further option modules which will enable you to develop a deeper understanding of a particular field of research. A list of typical option subjects is provided below and more information is available on the school’s website (See Further information and enquiries). Not all modules listed will be available every year.
-
Topics in Aegean Prehistory
-
Roman Architecture
-
Greek Coinage
-
Greek Sculpture
-
Greek and Roman Landscape Archaeology
-
Roman Provincial Art
-
Late Roman and Byzantine architecture
-
The Archaeology of Greek Religion
-
Historical Narrative in Art
-
Aegean Bronze Age Trade OR Religion
-
Burials, settlements, and society in Iron Age Greece, 1200-650 BC
-
Greek Vases
-
Greek and Roman wallpaintings
-
Etruscan Italy
-
Hellenistic Far East
-
Gandharan Art and the Classical World
-
Pompeii and Ostia
-
Roman Coinage
-
Archaeology of the Roman Economy
-
Maritime Archaeology
-
Lived Religion in Late Antiquity
You may also be permitted to study an unlisted topic within Classical archaeology, or another directly related to it, provided that the topic is appropriate and teaching is available. If you are seeking a broader course then you may, if you wish, in addition to one period option and one subject option, select a third subject from among those offered by a number of cognate disciplines.
Teaching is mainly through small-group tutorials or classes of usually one to five students, for which you prepare short essays on a weekly basis, supplemented by a wide range of lecture courses and graduate seminars.
The School of Archaeology also provides specialist skills seminars.
Graduate students run their own organisation, Graduate Archaeology at Oxford, which provides further skills seminars, a mentoring programme, social events and a very successful conference series. This provides many opportunities for you to develop your skills, present your research and develop ideas for the next stage of your career.
MPhil
The MPhil in Classical Archaeology is designed for those interested in continuing to a doctorate in Classical archaeology, and for those with experience in other areas of classical studies wishing to develop an understanding of the material culture.
The MPhil combines the flexibility of the MSt in Classical Archaeology, which allows you to choose from a wide range of broad periods and detailed options, with the opportunity to research a topic of your choice in the form of a thesis.
For the full description, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas
| Study type | Taught |
|---|---|
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
| Entry requirements | For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas |
| Location | University of Oxford University Offices Wellington Square Oxford OX1 2JD |
Summary
The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2023). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.
MSt
The MSt in Classical Archaeology is designed for those who wish to build on undergraduate studies in classical archaeology, as well as for those with experience in other areas of classical studies wishing to develop an understanding of the material culture.
The MSt provides the flexibility to allow you to choose from a wide range of periods which provide broad overviews, and detailed options focusing on different specific aspects of the subject.
You will choose one period module. A list of typical period modules is provided below. Not all modules run every year.
-
Early Iron Age Greece, 1200-700 BC
-
Archaic, 800-480 BC
-
Classical, 500-300 BC
-
Hellenistic, 330-30 BC
-
Late Republican, 200-30 BC
-
Early Imperial, 30 BC-AD 120
-
Middle Imperial, AD 70-250
-
Late Antiquity, AD 280-650
-
Byzantine, AD 600-1453
You will then take two further option modules which will enable you to develop a deeper understanding of a particular field of research. A list of typical option subjects is provided below and more information is available on the department’s website (See Further information and enquiries). Not all modules listed will be available every year.
-
Topics in Aegean Prehistory
-
Roman Architecture
-
Greek Coinage
-
Greek Sculpture
-
Greek and Roman Landscape Archaeology
-
Roman Provincial Art
-
Late Roman and Byzantine architecture
-
The Archaeology of Greek Religion
-
Historical Narrative in Art
-
Aegean Bronze Age Trade OR Religion
-
Burials, settlements, and society in Iron Age Greece, 1200-650 BC
-
Greek Vases
-
Greek and Roman wallpaintings
-
Etruscan Italy
-
Hellenistic Far East
-
Gandharan Art and the Classical World
-
Pompeii and Ostia
-
Roman Coinage
-
Archaeology of the Roman Economy
-
Maritime Archaeology
-
Lived Religion in Late Antiquity
You may also be permitted to study an unlisted topic within Classical archaeology, or another directly related to it, provided that the topic is appropriate and teaching is available. If you are seeking a broader course then you may, if you wish, in addition to one period option and one subject option, select a third subject from among those offered by a number of cognate disciplines.
Teaching is mainly through small-group tutorials or classes of usually one to five students, for which you prepare short essays on a weekly basis, supplemented by a wide range of lecture courses and graduate seminars.
MPhil
The MPhil in Classical Archaeology is designed for those interested in continuing to a doctorate in Classical archaeology, and for those with experience in other areas of classical studies wishing to develop an understanding of the material culture.
The MPhil combines the flexibility of the MSt in Classical Archaeology, which allows you to choose from a wide range of broad periods and detailed options, with the opportunity to research a topic of your choice in the form of a thesis.
For the full description, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas
| Study type | Taught |
|---|---|
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
| Entry requirements | For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas |
| Location | University of Oxford University Offices Wellington Square Oxford OX1 2JD |
Master of Philosophy - MPhil
Summary
The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2024). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.
MSt
The MSt in Classical Archaeology is designed for those who wish to build on undergraduate studies in classical archaeology, as well as for those with experience in other areas of classical studies wishing to develop an understanding of the material culture.
The MSt provides the flexibility to allow you to choose from a wide range of periods which provide broad overviews, and detailed options focusing on different specific aspects of the subject.
You will choose one period module. A list of typical period modules is provided below. Not all modules run every year.
Early Iron Age Greece, 1200-700 BC Archaic, 800-480 BC Classical, 500-300 BC Hellenistic, 330-30 BC Late Republican, 200-30 BC Early Imperial, 30 BC-AD 120 Middle Imperial, AD 70-250 Late Antiquity, AD 280-650 Byzantine, AD 600-1453 You will then take two further option modules which will enable you to develop a deeper understanding of a particular field of research. A list of typical option subjects is provided below and more information is available on the school’s website (See Further information and enquiries). Not all modules listed will be available every year.
-
Topics in Aegean Prehistory
-
Roman Architecture
-
Greek Coinage
-
Greek Sculpture
-
Greek and Roman Landscape Archaeology
-
Roman Provincial Art
-
Late Roman and Byzantine architecture
-
The Archaeology of Greek Religion
-
Historical Narrative in Art
-
Aegean Bronze Age Trade OR Religion
-
Burials, settlements, and society in Iron Age Greece, 1200-650 BC
-
Greek Vases
-
Greek and Roman wallpaintings
-
Etruscan Italy
-
Hellenistic Far East
-
Gandharan Art and the Classical World
-
Pompeii and Ostia
-
Roman Coinage
-
Archaeology of the Roman Economy
-
Maritime Archaeology
-
Lived Religion in Late Antiquity
You may also be permitted to study an unlisted topic within Classical archaeology, or another directly related to it, provided that the topic is appropriate and teaching is available. If you are seeking a broader course then you may, if you wish, in addition to one period option and one subject option, select a third subject from among those offered by a number of cognate disciplines.
Teaching is mainly through small-group tutorials or classes of usually one to five students, for which you prepare short essays on a weekly basis, supplemented by a wide range of lecture courses and graduate seminars.
The School of Archaeology also provides specialist skills seminars.
Graduate students run their own organisation, Graduate Archaeology at Oxford, which provides further skills seminars, a mentoring programme, social events and a very successful conference series. This provides many opportunities for you to develop your skills, present your research and develop ideas for the next stage of your career.
MPhil
The MPhil in Classical Archaeology is designed for those interested in continuing to a doctorate in Classical archaeology, and for those with experience in other areas of classical studies wishing to develop an understanding of the material culture.
The MPhil combines the flexibility of the MSt in Classical Archaeology, which allows you to choose from a wide range of broad periods and detailed options, with the opportunity to research a topic of your choice in the form of a thesis.
For the full description, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas
| Study type | Taught |
|---|---|
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
| Entry requirements | For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas |
| Location | University of Oxford University Offices Wellington Square Oxford OX1 2JD |
Summary
The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2023). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.
MSt
The MSt in Classical Archaeology is designed for those who wish to build on undergraduate studies in classical archaeology, as well as for those with experience in other areas of classical studies wishing to develop an understanding of the material culture.
The MSt provides the flexibility to allow you to choose from a wide range of periods which provide broad overviews, and detailed options focusing on different specific aspects of the subject.
You will choose one period module. A list of typical period modules is provided below. Not all modules run every year.
-
Early Iron Age Greece, 1200-700 BC
-
Archaic, 800-480 BC
-
Classical, 500-300 BC
-
Hellenistic, 330-30 BC
-
Late Republican, 200-30 BC
-
Early Imperial, 30 BC-AD 120
-
Middle Imperial, AD 70-250
-
Late Antiquity, AD 280-650
-
Byzantine, AD 600-1453
You will then take two further option modules which will enable you to develop a deeper understanding of a particular field of research. A list of typical option subjects is provided below and more information is available on the department’s website (See Further information and enquiries). Not all modules listed will be available every year.
-
Topics in Aegean Prehistory
-
Roman Architecture
-
Greek Coinage
-
Greek Sculpture
-
Greek and Roman Landscape Archaeology
-
Roman Provincial Art
-
Late Roman and Byzantine architecture
-
The Archaeology of Greek Religion
-
Historical Narrative in Art
-
Aegean Bronze Age Trade OR Religion
-
Burials, settlements, and society in Iron Age Greece, 1200-650 BC
-
Greek Vases
-
Greek and Roman wallpaintings
-
Etruscan Italy
-
Hellenistic Far East
-
Gandharan Art and the Classical World
-
Pompeii and Ostia
-
Roman Coinage
-
Archaeology of the Roman Economy
-
Maritime Archaeology
-
Lived Religion in Late Antiquity
You may also be permitted to study an unlisted topic within Classical archaeology, or another directly related to it, provided that the topic is appropriate and teaching is available. If you are seeking a broader course then you may, if you wish, in addition to one period option and one subject option, select a third subject from among those offered by a number of cognate disciplines.
Teaching is mainly through small-group tutorials or classes of usually one to five students, for which you prepare short essays on a weekly basis, supplemented by a wide range of lecture courses and graduate seminars.
MPhil
The MPhil in Classical Archaeology is designed for those interested in continuing to a doctorate in Classical archaeology, and for those with experience in other areas of classical studies wishing to develop an understanding of the material culture.
The MPhil combines the flexibility of the MSt in Classical Archaeology, which allows you to choose from a wide range of broad periods and detailed options, with the opportunity to research a topic of your choice in the form of a thesis.
For the full description, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas
| Study type | Taught |
|---|---|
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
| Entry requirements | For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas |
| Location | University of Oxford University Offices Wellington Square Oxford OX1 2JD |
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