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Classics (Structured Research Masters)

Structured Research Masters (Classics)

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Course Overview
Research Areas
Course Fees
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Course Overview

The Structured MA in Classics is a one-year, full-time (two-years, part-time) programme that allows students to further their interest in a specialist area of academic study and research. This course provides high-achieving graduates an opportunity to gain a broader and deeper knowledge of their chosen area and to familiarise themselves with the research methodologies and ethics relevant to the study of Classics.

Research activity in Classics at University of Galway focuses on three signature themes:

Identities in formation
Intellectual continuity between Antiquity and the Middle Ages
Intertextuality and manuscript transmission

Where appropriate, our research highlights and explores relationships and continuities between the language, literature and cultural history of Ireland and the wider European past. We move back and forth across traditional lines drawn between ancient and medieval studies; in this context, we are the only Classics unit in the world that has a special focus on bridging the boundary between Classical and Celtic studies. This is reflected in our recent funding successes, postgraduate recruitment, and publications in this area.

Over the course of the programme, students will take between 30 to 35 ECTS worth of taught modules, at least one of which (minimum 5 ECTS) must be dedicated to research methods/integrity. Students on this programme will complete an independent research project or dissertation weighted at either 55 or 60 ECTS (depending on the number of ECTS devoted to taught modules). Each student will be assigned a primary supervisor and a graduate research committee made up of experienced researchers to plan their programme of study and to provide on-going support for their research.

Programmes Available

Structured Master of Arts (Classics), full-time, one year
Structured Master of Arts (Classics), part-time, two years
(Number of places available: 7)

Associated Research Centre

The Centre for Antique, Medieval, and Pre-modern Studies.

Learning Outcomes

Entry Requirements

NQAI Level 8 qualification with a minimum 2.1 (or North American 3.2 GPA or equivalent) honours degree in Classics, Medieval Studies or a cognate discipline.

A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent) is required of applicants whose first language is not English.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Current research projects

Current funded research opportunity

Work Placement

Related Student Organisations

Career Opportunities

Find a Supervisor / PhD Project

If you are still looking for a potential supervisor or PhD project or would like to identify the key research interests of our academic staff and researchers, you can use our online portal to help in that search

Research Areas

Identities in formation
Intellectual continuity between Antiquity and the Middle Ages (especially intersections between Classical and Celtic studies)
Intertextuality and manuscript transmission

Researcher Profiles

Peter Kelly
History of science, intertextuality, ancient cosmology and poetics; Ovid and Plato.
E: petermichaeljohnkelly@nuigalway.ie

Jacopo Bisagni
Latin-Celtic interactions; early medieval science; Hiberno-Latin philology.
E: jacopo.bisagni@nuigalway.ie

Michael Clarke
Comparative heroic literature; manuscript studies; Classical reception in the Middle Ages, esp in Latin and Middle Irish.
E: michael.clarke@nuigalway.ie

Edward Herring
Italian archaeology; painted pottery; ancient society
E: edward.herring@nuigalway.ie

Pádraic Moran
Ancient and medieval education, scholarship and linguistic theory; glosses and glossaries; digital editing.
E: padraic.moran@nuigalway.ie

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€7,750 p.a. (€7,890 including levy) 2025/26

Fees: Non EU

€19,500 p.a. (€19,640 including levy) 2025/26

Extra Information

EU Part time: Year 1 €4,000 p.a. (€4,140 including levy) 2025/26

For 25/26 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 3.4% per annum for continuing years fees.

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2025/26). You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee. A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here.