Key information
Duration: 1 year full time or 2 years part time
Institution code: R72
Campus: Egham
UK fees*: £12,000
International/EU fees**: £24,500
The course
Classical Reception (MRes)
If you are curious about how modern life has been shaped by ancient Greece and Rome and are looking to advance your skills in literary, historical and socio-cultural analysis, then this course, taught in the Department of Classics by world-renowned experts, is for you.
The history and culture of the Classical world, its art, literature, politics and culture have been passed down to us through generations of thinkers and its legacy has shaped modern thought and the way we live today. This Masters programme leads you to explore that legacy and to develop skills in research and methodology in this fascinating and growing field of intellectual history.
Intended either as a further year's study after a first degree or as training in the technical disciplines needed to undertake doctoral research, the course is structured to provide you with advanced training in research skills. Not only will you acquire a detailed understanding of the role the Classical world has played in shaping the modern era but you will develop skills that are much sought after outside of academia, specifically:
- the ability to communicate views and present arguments clearly and coherently
- the ability to critically digest, analyse and summarise content
- organisation and research skills
- problem-solving skills and capability
- the ability to innovate and think creatively
This course draws on the department’s Centre for the Reception of Greece and Rome, and the thriving and internationally recognised research and teaching expertise of the Classics department. The Centre brings together the department’s wide range of research expertise on areas as wide as political and literary philosophy, urbanism, literary receptions, science fictions, and popular culture.
A global leader in Masters provision, Royal Holloway gives you the opportunity to take part in one of the most extensive programmes of research seminars and training programmes offered by any institution. During your time with us you will be under the careful supervision of our academic staff with access to not only the Royal Holloway library but also the world-class resources of the Institute of Classical Studies, the Warburg Institute, the British Library, Senate House Library, and other specialised libraries in the School of Advanced Study.
We sometimes make changes to our courses to improve your experience. If this happens, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.
Course structure
Core Modules
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This module, delivered in the autumn term, will introduce you to a broad range of approaches to the field of classical reception, one of the most dynamic, influential fields in the discipline of Classics. The module is organised into three, broad interrelated strands that draw on the expertise of staff and the interests of students. Individual taught sessions explore topics such as the classical tradition, social and political theory, critical theory and thought, history and literature, gender, postcolonial theory, urban design and theory, aesthetics, popular culture, cinema, children’s literature, electronic media, visual studies and fine art, radical politics, intellectual history, philosophy and the history of ideas. The module guides you in exploring the legacies of the ancient world and helps you develop your critical and research skills, to understand methodology and the craft of academic writing.
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You will produce a dissertation of 30,000 – 35,000 words as the principal component of this MRes. Students are supported by a series of workshops in the autumn, spring and summer terms which provide key skills and guidance in developing the dissertation topic, gathering research materials, presenting work, preparing the text of the dissertation and so on. During the spring and summer term, you will meet with your individual supervisor on a regular basis to discuss progress, submit work and develop your ideas. You will work on drafting and refining your dissertation over the year until submitting it in September.
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This module will describe the key principles of academic integrity, focusing on university assignments. Plagiarism, collusion and commissioning will be described as activities that undermine academic integrity, and the possible consequences of engaging in such activities will be described. Activities, with feedback, will provide you with opportunities to reflect and develop your understanding of academic integrity principles.
Teaching & assessment
Assessment is carried out through coursework and a dissertation.
Part-time students normally take taught elements in their first year and the dissertation in their second year with preparatory work in year one.
Entry requirements
2:2
UK Bachelors degree or equivalent.
A successful applicant will usually have the following qualities:
- an openness to new themes and current interpretations of the classics
- an understanding of and interest in the many and diverse ways in which the classical has influenced the modern
- an ability to relate disparate areas of study and work with different frameworks.
A sample essay from an undergraduate history degree or equivalent may be required if we would like more information upon which to base a decision. The essay should demonstrate your critical and analytical skills between 1500-2000 words long.
International & EU requirements
Bachelor degree from the American University of Armenia or a Specialist diploma with 80% or a GPA of 3.5 overall.
Bachelor degree (Honours) with a 2:2 or a Bachelor degree (Ordinary) with a Pass with 58% overall.
Bachelor degree or Fachhochschuldiplom/Diplom (FH) with a Grade 3.9 overall.
Bachelor degree (Bakalavr) or Specialist Diploma with 3.5 out of 5 or 70% overall.
4 year Bachelor degree from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) with a First Class Division or a Masters Degree following a 3 or 4 year degree.
Bachelor degree with grade 12 overall or the Licentiaat or Licence and other two cycle diplomas with grade 12 overall.
Diploma Visokog Obrazovanja Diploma Visokog Obrazovanja / Diplomirani with Grade 8
Bakalavar or Diploma of Completed Higher Education with a Grade 4 out 6 overall.
4 year Bachelor degree with 62%, a GPA 2.5 out of 4, Grade 6 out of 12 or grade C+ overall OR 3 year Bachelor degree with 73%, a GPA of 3.1 out of 4, Grade 8 out of 12 or grade B overall, depending on the grading scheme.
4 year Bachelors degree with an overall 70% to 75% or GPA of 2.8 to 3.0 out of 4.0 depending on the institution.
3 out of 5 overall in the Baccalaureus Prvostupnik or Visoko Obrazovanja/Level VII/1 (second level degree obtained on completion of 4-6 year course).
Overall 6.5 out of 10 or a GPA of 2.85 out of 4 in a Bachelor degree from a public university, Ptychion (from University of Cyprus) or Bachelor degree awarded by a private institution (the programme must be accredited by the Ministry of Education and Culture).
Bakalar with dobre (good), score of 2 or Grade C overall.
7 from 13 points grading system or 4 from 7 points grading system in a Bachelor degree, Candidatus Philosophiae or Professionbachelor.
University bachelors degree with a GPA of 2.4 overall or 65% overall
75%, 2.5 or C overall in a Bakalaurusekraad/Diploma, Magister or Magistrikraad
GPA of 1 where marks are in 1 - 3 system or GPA of 2.3 where marks are in 1 - 5 system in a Kandidaattii/Kandidat or Maisteri/Magister
Licence awarded from 2009 with grade 12 or Maitrise (pre-Bologna) with grade 11
Grade 3 overall in a Bachelor, Fachhochschuldiplom or Magister Artium
Bachelor degree with a Second Class Lower Division overall.
6 out of 10 overall in a Diploma from the Faculties of Engineering and Agriculture or a Ptychion (Bachelor degree) awarded by an AEI.
Bachelors degree degree with a Second Class Honours, Lower Division.
Egyetemi Oklevel /Foiskola Oklevel/ Alapfokozat with 3 out of 5 overall.
Baccalaurreatus with grade 6.5 out of 10 overall or Kandidatsprof / Cadidatus Mag with 6 out of 10 overall.
Bachelor degree with 55% to 60% overall or a CGPA of 5.5 to 6 out of 10 overall depending on the institution.
Bachelor degree or Diploma IV with overall GPA of 2.8.
Bachelor Degree/Professional Doctorate with 13 out of 20 overall.
Bachelor’s degree (four years) with 70% overall.
Bachelors degree with at least 75% overall depending on the mark scheme.
Diploma di Laurea or Licenza di Accademia di Belle Arti with 84 out of 110 overall.
Bachelor degree (Gakushi) with a B overall, dependent on the mark scheme.
Bakalavr or Specialist Diploma with 3.5 out of 5, 70% or 3.0 out of 4.33 overall.
Bachelor degree with a Second Class Honours (lower division) overall.
Bachelor degree with B or a GPA of 3.0 overall.
Bakalaura Diploms or Professional Bakalaura Diploms with Grade 6 overal.
Dipl Ing (FH) or Dipl Arch (FH) from Liechtenstein Technical College with a Grade 4 overall.
7 out of 10 overall in a Bakalauras or Specialist Diploma.
Bachelor degree, Diplome d?Ingenieur Industriel or Dipl?me d'?tudes Sup?rieures Sp?cialis?es with 40 out of 60 or 14 out of 20 (Bien) overall.
Bachelor degree with Class 2 Division ii, B or 2.8 out of 4.0 overall.
Honours degree with a Second Class (Lower Division) overall.
Bachelor degree or Doctoraal with Grade 6.0 out of 10 overall.
Bachelor degree Honours or Ordinary with an overall Grade C+ or Grade 3 out of 9 points grading system.
Bachelor degree with a Second Class Honours, Lower Division or overall GPA of 2.5 out of 5.
Visoko Obrazovanja with 7 out of 10 overall.
Overall 6.5 out of 10 or a GPA of 2.85 out of 4 in a Bachelor degree from a public university, Ptychion (from University of Cyprus) or Bachelor degree awarded by a private institution (the programme must be accredited by the Ministry of Education and Culture).
Bachelor degree, Candidatus Magisterii, Sivilingeni-r (siv. ing.) (Engineering degree ) or Sivil?konom (siv. ?k.) (Economics degree) Grade D or 2.6 to 3.2.
Bachelor degree with an overall GPA of 2.6.
4 year Bachelor degree or combined bachelors degree and Master degree for the duration of 4 years with 58% - 65% or a CGPA of 2.8 - 3.2 overall depending on your institution.
Licencjat, Inzynier or Bachelor with grade 3.71 overall.
Diploma de Estudos Superiores Especializadoswith grade 14 overall or Licenciado with grade 13 overall.
Bachelor degree with an overall GPA of 3.0 overall.
Diploma de Licenta, Diploma Inginer or Diploma de Arhitect with 7.0 out of 10 overall.
Bakalavr Bachelor degree or Specialist Diploma with 3.5 out of 5 or 70% overall.
Bachelor degree with 70%, 3.0 out of 5.0 or 2.8 out of 4.0 overall.
Diplom Visokog Obrazovanja (second-level degree obtained on completion of a four to six-year course) with 7.5 out of 10 overall.
Bachelor degree (from a public university) with a Class II (lower) overall.
Bakalar or Magister / Inzinier with vel'mi dobre (very good) or Grade 2 overall.
Diplomirani / Diplomirani Inzenir from Visoko izobrazevanje, University Diploma or Visoko Obrazovanja (until 1999) with 7 out of 10 (8 for Visoko Obrazovanja) overall.
Bachelor (Honours), Bachelor or Professional Bachelor degree with 60% or Second Class Lower Division.
Bachelor (Haksa) degree with 3.0 out of 4.5, 2.9 out of 4.3 or 2.8 out of 4.0.
Licenciado, Titulo de Ingeniero or Titulo de Arquitecto with 6 out of 10.
Bachelor degree from National University or Private University with 68% to 73% or GPA 2.8 to 3.0 depending on your institution.
Bachelor degree with a 2nd Class Honours (Lower) overall.
Bachelor degree GPA 2.6 to 2.8 depending on your institution.
Bachelor degree GPA 2.6 to 2.8 depending on your institution.
Bachelor degree (post 2007) or Specialist Diploma (after 1991) with a Grade 3, 9 out of 12 or 4 out of 5 overall.
Bachelor degree with 80%, a GPA of 2.8 out of 4, C+ or Good overall.
Bachelor degree with a GPA of 2.6 overall.
Kandidatexamen with at least a Pass (godkand) overall.
Bachelor degree or Bang tot nghiep dai hoc with 6.5 out of 10.
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. No subscore lower than 6.0.
- Pearson Test of English: 67 overall. No other subscore lower than 64.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
- TOEFL iBT: 88 overall with Reading 22 Listening 20 Speaking 22 Writing 24.
- Duolingo: 120 overall and no sub-score below 115.
Your future career
Graduates of classical degrees have much to offer potential employers having developed a range of transferable skills, both practical and theoretical, whilst studying with us. With up to 90% of our most recent graduates now working or in further study, according to the Complete University Guide 2015, it’s true to say our graduates are highly employable.
In recent years, PhD graduates, many of whom have progressed from our MA programmes, have taken up academic positions at Oxford, Bristol and Roehampton Universities. Outside of academia, our graduates have embarked on teaching careers in the UK and overseas, undertaken archaeological and museum work and pursued careers in journalism, finance, politics and the arts.
Fees, funding & scholarships
Home (UK) students tuition fee per year*: £12,000
EU and international students tuition fee per year**: £24,500
Other essential costs***: None, but should you decide to take modules which are delivered in Central London, travel will be required.
How do I pay for it? Find out more about funding options, including loans, grants, scholarships and bursaries.
* and ** These tuition fees apply to students starting their course on a full-time basis in the academic year 2026/27. Students studying on the standard part-time course structure over two years are charged 50% of the full-time applicable fee for each study year.
Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase all postgraduate tuition fees annually. For further information, see fees and funding.
** These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2026/27 academic year, and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.
