Course Overview

The Structured MA in Medieval and Antiquity is a one-year, full-time (two-years, part-time) programme that allows students to further their interest in the Medieval and Antique. This course provides high-achieving graduates an opportunity to gain a broader and deeper knowledge of not only these periods but also how they were retrospectively constructed (and why), and to familiarise themselves with the research methodologies, skills, and ethics relevant to their field of study. Research activity in Medieval and Antiquity at University of Galway focuses on research in the area of

  • Archaeology
  • Celtic Civilisation
  • Classics
  • Medieval and Middle French
  • Old and Middle English Language and Literature
  • Old and Middle Irish

Over the course of the programme, students will take 30 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 60 ECTS. 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. Other taught modules are designed to augment students’ existing knowledge and skills in their specialist area. These core modules include

  • Antiquities and Medievalisms (10 ECTS): A team-taught, interdisciplinary examination of the object of study from its roots to its re-appropriations. This module explores how post-antique and post-medieval cultures have shaped the popular understanding of those two worlds.  
  • Palaeography (10 ECTS): An introduction to scripts and manuscripts written from the first to the fifteenth centuries combining self-directed learning with curated online materials and team-taught workshops.

Programmes Available

Structured Master of Arts (Medieval and Antiquity), full-time, one year

Structured Master of Arts (Medieval and Antiquity), part-time, two years

(Number of places available: 10)

Associated Research Centre

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

Course Outline

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Research Areas

  • Archaeology 
  • Celtic Civilisation  
  • Classics 
  • Medieval and Middle French 
  • Old and Middle English Language and Literature 
  • Old and Middle Irish  

Researcher Profiles

Dr Catherine Emerson (catherine.emerson@universityofgalway.ie) 
The late medieval period, Olivier de la Marche and the culture of the Burgundian Netherlands, manuscript and print culture, the medieval and early modern book. 

Dr Frances McCormack (frances.mccormack@universityofgalway.ie) 
Old and Middle English Language and Literature; literary emotions; the senses in literature 
 
If you would like to identify the key research interests of other academic staff and researchers involved in the areas above, you can contact the programme directors at mama@universityofgalway.ie or use our online portal to help in that search

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

Part-time - €4,000

Contact us

mama@universityofgalway.ie

Contact Us

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