‘What never ceases to impress me about Ancient History at Oxford is the richness of experience that it offers. The variety of topics offered at the faculty seminars, of international students and academics, of potential for travel for fieldwork and conferences, of languages to learn, of specialised books and scholarly expertise, of visiting academics to meet, and of friendships - which will last well after your degree is over, and will remain with you as a constant memento.’ Thea Sommerschield (AHCA = Ancient History and Classical Archaeology).
Link to graduate profile
'I returned to Oxford for my DPhil after a few years away from academia, and it has felt wonderful to be back in an environment where spirited, critical engagement with a wide variety of texts abounds and is encouraged. Even under the difficult circumstances brought about by the pandemic, I have felt part of a wider community and supported in my research. My supervisor has really gone above and beyond in helping me structure my work to get the best out of my interests and circumstances, and continues to challenge me to take my ideas further.' Claire Barnes (Languages and Literature). Link to graduate profile
'When I applied for the MSt in Greek and Latin Languages and Literature, what I was hoping for was a chance to deepen my engagement with classical texts, widen my knowledge of critical methods, improve my research skills and meet and engage with a wide variety of new people and ideas. The course has certainly delivered on that. My favourite aspect of the course so far has been the faculty seminars and discussion groups, which have proved to be fascinating forums for sharing ideas, research and works in progress.' Felix Clive (Languages and Literature). Link to graduate profile
'I can say that Oxford is by far one of the best choices one can make when it comes to Classical Languages and Literature. The academic environment is incredibly vibrant, and although classicists usually do research on their own, the idea of belonging to a single and sympathetic community is very strong. In this respect, the huge number of seminars, the opportunity to take part in and organize conferences, and to share both academic and personal experiences in the weekly Work in Progress (WiP) seminars, are all elements which make our time in Oxford a tremendous experience'. Samuele Coen (Languages and Literature). Link to graduate profile
'World class libraries, a friendly and populous faculty, a diverse range of seminars and a supportive community of peers all welcome the Oxford Classics graduate student. When my (life and) studies were disrupted in 2020, I found that the university's fantastic access to online resources and the department's flexible and cheerful transition to online teaching really helped to mitigate the stress and difficulties presented by the pandemic.' Holly Hunt (Languages and Literature). Link to graduate profile
‘One of the best parts of graduate life in the Classics faculty is the huge number of research seminars each week. I regularly attend at least two or three a week in different subject areas, hearing about new research from Oxford and elsewhere. Monday lunchtime is reserved for the Epigraphy Workshop, where scholars present their new work on inscriptions (sometimes about new inscriptions) and get feedback. Every Thursday evening, we ancient history graduate students have our own Work in Progress seminar, where we share our ideas in an informal atmosphere - before heading to the pub!’ Leah Lazar (AHCA). Link to graduate profile
‘The University of Oxford is an extraordinary place to study ancient history. Graduate students have the opportunity to work with an exceptionally accomplished and supportive group of academics, have access to the world-class Sackler Library, and become part of a welcoming and diverse graduate community.’ Michael Economou (AHCA). Link to graduate profile
‘Oxford is the ideal venue for the study of the ancient world. As well as the outstanding libraries, the faculty offers a deep coverage of Greco-Roman history in its range of staff research interests and seminar offerings, at which leading experts from around the world routinely present the latest thoughts and findings in their fields. The graduate research student receives tremendous freedom to explore her/his topic, and, most importantly, will discover an inviting atmosphere in which to meet and share with student peers.’ Marcus Chin (AHCA). Link to graduate profile
