About us

Classics is a close-knit Department offering a range of sub-disciplines, approaches and methodologies, and periods. We are distinctive in our ambitious coverage (literature, history, archaeology, reception). In addition to the subject coverage, core strengths include oratory, law and rhetoric (currently mainly Greek), theoretically-driven approaches to Classical literature, digital archaeology, and Classical reception. Some of this activity is focused by The Centre for Oratory and Rhetoric (COR) and the Centre for the Reception of Greece and Rome (CRGR). We pride ourselves on research engaged with the contemporary world. Classics is both part of contemporary culture and offers a critical distance from which we can reflect on and critically engage with global challenges.

You can find out more about us and our research here.

From time to time, we make changes to our courses to improve the student and learning experience. If we make a significant change to your chosen course, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.

Research facilities and environment

The Department offers a wide range of forums, research and research training opportunities, access to the Institute of Classical Studies Library (one of the largest classics research libraries in the world), to a very broad range of Institute of Classical Studies and other seminars, and more.

The department operates three research centres, in Archaeology, Architecture and Material Culture, in Rhetoric and in Reception and has an active and collegial PhD student culture.

Assessment

PhDs are assessed by the standard 100,000 original scholarly dissertation and a viva voce examination.

New PhD students are admitted on a probationary status and are subject to an Upgrade process which usually takes place up to 18 months after admission to the PhD program.

PhD students are assigned one or more supervisors from the Department of Classics and/or other departments where appropriate (or, in some cases, external supervisors). PhD students are also assigned an Advisor from the Department staff and are provided with support from the Director of Graduate Studies and the Department administrative team, where needed.

Entry requirements

Prospective PhD students are usually expected to have a good ‘Merit’ or ‘Distinction’ MA Degree from a classics department in an acknowledged institute of higher education, however, the merit of applications is assessed individually on a case by case basis.

Before applying we recommend securing a supervisor in order to apply for your research project.

We advise getting in touch with the Director of Postgraduate Education making an informal enquiry for your chosen research degree to inquire whether there is any other additional material they require you to submit in your application.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact PGR lead, Dr Liz Gloyn (liz.gloyn@royalholloway.ac.uk ) or otherwise any member of staff with relevant research interests by whom they may wish to be considered for supervision.

The Department maintains an active equal opportunities policy. Persons of any ethnic minority or gender are encouraged to apply.

English language requirements

All teaching at Royal Holloway is in English. You will therefore need to have good enough written and spoken English to cope with your studies right from the start.

The scores we require

IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 7.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 69. No other subscore lower than 51.
Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
TOEFL ib: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 26.

Country-specific requirements

For more information about country-specific entry requirements for your country please see here.

Your future career

Our students go on to careers in teaching, academics, museum and conservation studies and a wide range of professions.

A PhD is a longterm commitment but a higher degree in classics, ancient history or classical archaeology provides a high level of transferrable skills training and distinct competitive, professional advancement and remuneration advantages in a wide range of professional employment opportunities.

Fees & funding

Home (UK) students tuition fee per year*: £4,786

EU and international students tuition fee per year**: £25,500

Other essential costs***: There are no individual costs greater than £50 per item.

…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 enrolled on a full-time basis in the academic year 2025/26.

* Please note that for research courses, we adopt the minimum fee level recommended by the UK Research Councils for the Home tuition fee. Each year, the fee level is adjusted in line with inflation (currently, the measure used is the Treasury GDP deflator). Fees displayed here are therefore subject to change and are usually confirmed in the spring of the year of entry. For more information on the Research Council Indicative Fee please see the UKRI website.

** This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2025/26. 

Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase fees for overseas fee-paying students annually. Be aware that tuition fees can rise during your degree (if longer than one year’s duration), and that this also means that the overall cost of studying the course part-time will be slightly higher than studying it full-time in one year. The annual increase for continuing students who start their degree in 2025/26 will be 5%.  For further information see fees and funding and the  terms and conditions.

*** These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2025/26 academic year and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included. 