Greek and Roman Studies (MA)
Our thesis-based master’s program engages students in an in-depth study of classical language, literature, history and archeology before exploring a specific question of interest.
You’ll spend your first year in courses strengthening your knowledge and critical abilities. In your second year, you’ll prepare a thesis that focuses on a particular area or question of interest to you. We encourage you to explore areas that have been under-represented in past scholarship.
All applicants must demonstrate a well-rounded knowledge of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds.
| Expected length | Project or thesis | Course-based |
|---|---|---|
| 2 years | Yes | No |
Quick facts
- Program options:
- Master's
- Study options:
- Full-time study
- Program delivery:
- On-campus
- Dynamic learning:
- Co-op optional
Outcomes
We are committed to the exploration, elaboration and preservation of the cultures of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds.
Our program prepares students for further study at the PhD level. It helps you develop critical thinking and logic skills transferable to other career paths like information sciences, contract archaeology, professional writing and teaching.
By the end of our MA program, you will, depending upon your field of research,
- further develop your written and oral communication skills through the preparation and defense of a thesis
- investigate new theoretical or methodological approaches to the ancient world
- acquire advanced knowledge of Greek and/or Roman history
- further develop critical tools for understanding literary texts while enhancing reading ability in ancient Greek and/or Latin
- further develop advanced archaeological skills
- learn to manage and analyze large data sets efficiently and effectively
- have the opportunity to gain archaeological fieldwork experience at sites in Greece or Spain directed by UVic faculty members
Find a supervisor
All graduate students in this program must have a faculty member who serves as their academic supervisor. When you apply:
- you must list a potential supervisor on your application
- this faculty member must agree to be your supervisor and recommend your admission
To find a supervisor, review the faculty contacts. When you've found a faculty member whose research complements your own, contact them by email.
Gregory D. Rowe
Associate Professor Interests: Roman History:Greek and Latin epigraphy, Roman public and private law, Jewish and early Christian history.
Alejandro G. Sinner
Associate Professor and Undergraduate Adviser Research focus: the study of ancient colonialism and the social, economic and cultural history of the Iberian Peninsula during the Iron Age and the Roman era. Most notably, mobility and demography, religion, daily practices, cultural change and identity formation, pre-Roman languages, archaeometry, and archaeological method and theory.
Brendan Burke
Professor Greek archaeology; Aegean Prehistory; Anatolian archaeology; currently Andrew W. Mellon Professor of Classical Studies at ASCSA
Cedric A.J. Littlewood
Professor and Associate Dean (Graduate Studies) Silver Latin poetry, especially Senecan tragedy and Roman satire.
Ingrid E. Holmberg
Associate Professor Early Greek poetry: Homer, Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns, and archaic lyric; particular interest in narrative and gender theory.
J. Geoffrey Kron
Associate Professor Greek and Roman social, economic, and political history, most notably democracy and oligarchy; economic development, particularly agriculture, living standards, nutrition, housing, and trade; social inequality, social welfare, slavery and labour exploitation; and ideologies of social inequality, most notably capitalism, racism, and colonialism
Laurel M. Bowman
Associate Professor Greek literature (tragedy, Hellenistic literature, especially epigram); literature and gender; classical myth; reception studies; myth in popular culture.
Mark Nugent
Associate Teaching Professor and Acting Chair (until 30 June 2024) Greek and Latin language pedagogy; Imperial Greek literature; Greek and Latin novels, esp. Petronius; gender and sexuality in Greek and Roman culture; reception studies, esp. historical fiction and film
Trevor Van Damme
Limited Term Assistant Professor and Graduate Advisor Greek art and archaeology, household archaeology, ceramics and society, socio-economic inequality in ancient economies, collapse and resilience, and the archaeology of religion
Show me program details
Providing you accurate admission requirements, application deadlines, tuition fee estimates and scholarships depends on your situation. Tell us about yourself:
Your program details
Application deadlines
The application deadline for consideration for financial aid, particularly for University of Victoria Fellowships is February 1. Applications received after February 1 will be considered, but applicants will not usually be eligible for funding.
The department has a rolling application deadline for students who do not need funding, but most admissions decisions are finalized before June 30.
The application deadline for consideration for financial aid, particularly for University of Victoria Fellowships is February 1. Applications received after February 1 will be considered, but applicants will not usually be eligible for funding.
The department has a rolling application deadline for students who do not need funding, but most admissions decisions are finalized before June 30.
Admission requirements
Program specific requirements
- a well-rounded, comprehensive knowledge of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds
- applicants should ideally have balanced strength in ancient Greek and Latin, or substantial experience in one language and a basic competence in the other
- proficiency reading French, German or Italian is also advantageous
As part of your application, you will need to submit the following:
- a short statement of intent outlining your research interests
- writing sample ideally representative of your prospective research interest
Program specific requirements
- a well-rounded, comprehensive knowledge of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds
- applicants should ideally have balanced strength in ancient Greek and Latin, or substantial experience in one language and a basic competence in the other
- proficiency reading French, German or Italian is also advantageous
As part of your application, you will need to submit the following:
- a short statement of intent outlining your research interests
- writing sample ideally representative of your prospective research interest
Completion requirements
Funding & aid
Tuition & fees
Estimated minimum program cost*
* Based on an average program length. For a per term fee breakdown view the tuition fee estimator.
Estimated values determined by the tuition fee estimator shall not be binding to the University of Victoria.
Ready to apply?
You can start your online application to UVic by creating a new profile or using an existing one.
Faculties & departments
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Need help?
Contact Greek and Roman Studies at grsadmin@uvic.ca or 250-721-8514.