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MRes Late Antiquity

This Late Antiquity programme at University of Birmingham offers you the opportunity to research one aspect of the fragmentation of the Roman World and its transformation into a myriad of new states as the result of internal pressures and barbarian invasion in the period AD 300–700.

Quick Facts

  
Full-Time Duration: 1 year
Starting in: September
Tuition Fee: £20,820 per year
Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom

The taught elements of the Late Antiquity programme at University of Birmingham examine major debates about the period, tackling historical, textual, archaeological and art historical material as an essential foundation for your research topic.

Times Higher Education ranked us among the top five departments of Classics in the country for our performance in the latest Research Excellence Framework exercise.

Why study this course?

  • Research resources: We have an outstanding research collection in the University Library, with strong holdings in periodicals and other scholarly publications, including those in relevant European languages, and subscriptions to all major online databases and e-resources.
  • Coin collection: The Barber Institute of Fine Arts houses one of the most impressive collections of Roman, Byzantine, Sasanian, medieval Islamic and medieval and modern Hungarian coins in the world and has around 16,000 objects in its collection. Pandemic-related limitations on access are currently under review.
  • Research excellence: Times Higher Education ranked us among the top five departments of Classics in the country for our performance in the latest Research Excellence Framework exercise.
  • Course flexibility: You will have the opportunity to choose modules from a range of opportunities taught by the Department of Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology or the Department of History depending on your interests and research needs.

Courses included:

  • Byzantine Archaeology and Material Culture
  • Empire and Identity
  • Greek (Beginner/Advanced)
  • Latin (Beginner/Advanced)
  • CAHA Seminar for Social History: Ancient Slaveries
  • The Economies of the Late Roman, Byzantine and Frankish East
  • Gender in Byzantium
  • Ideas, Ideals and Ideologies
  • Methodologies of Byzantine Studies

“The transition from undergrad to postgrad can be a big step up in terms of workload and what is expected of you, but there is so much support available to you as a postgrad student, from academic writing support (if you’ve been out of education for a few years or just want a bit of extra help) to mental health and wellbeing services. The careers support is fantastic – the uni puts on employer fairs throughout the year and you have access to one on one support from the Careers Network team, who can help you develop your skills ready for your next step!”

Emma Sutton // PhD Psychology

Careers

Your degree will provide excellent preparation for your future career, but this can also be enhanced by a range of employability support services offered by the University and the College of Arts and Law.

The University’s Careers Network provides expert guidance and activities especially for postgraduates, which will help you achieve your career goals. The College of Arts and Law also has a dedicated careers and employability team who offer tailored advice and a programme of College-specific careers events.

Requirements

  • For MRes and MA by Research programmes, entry to our programmes usually requires a good (normally a 2:1 or above) Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification if you were educated outside the UK, usually in a relevant area.

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