Ancient History
Based in the School of History, Archaeology and Religion, you join a vibrant academic and research community, proud of our reputation for training the next generation of researchers.
Supervised by experts, our postgraduates encounter exciting opportunities to debate and exchange ideas, whether through our internationally-connected Research Centres or numerous seminar series.
Our projects across disciplines continue to advance research, supported by partners ranging from the Arts and Humanities Research Council to the Wellcome Trust.
Programme aims
To offer knowledge and expertise for a career in research (media, commercial, public sector etc), public service, teaching and academia.
Distinctive features
- Cardiff offers considerable research strength in ancient history and has very strong links with archaeology, medieval history and religious studies through the Centre for Late Antique Religion and Culture.
- Wide chronological coverage, from Archaic Greece to Late Antiquity
- Opportunities for interdisciplinary research with archaeology, medieval history and religious studies.
- Encouragement and support for postgraduate students from the University of Wales Institute for Classics and Ancient History, which is run jointly by Cardiff in association with the Departments of Classics and Ancient History at Swansea and Lampeter.
Key facts
| Mode of study | Full-time, part-time |
|---|---|
| Qualification | PhD, MPhil |
| Full-time duration | PhD 3 years, MPhil 1 year |
| Part-time duration | PhD 5 years, MPhil 2 years |
| Start dates | January, April, July, October |
We offer a full range of expertise, but the following areas are of particular strength:
- History and Archaeology of the early Mediterranean
- Political and Social History of the Archaic and Classical Greece; the Roman Republic and Empire; the Later Roman and Early Medieval Periods
- The Hellenistic World
- Gender and Sexuality
- Ethnicity, Identity, and Collective Memory
- Ancient Medicine and Technology
- Warfare in Antiquity
- Ancient Near East
- Ancient Persia
- Thucydides; Ancient Greek Historiography and Literature
- Greek Epigraphy
- Housing and the Built Environment
- Classical Reception and modern theoretical approaches to the ancient past
UK government postgraduate doctoral loans
Candidates for the Professional Doctorate programme may be eligible to apply for a UK government postgraduate doctoral loan.
Find out more about UK government postgraduate doctoral loansFunding
We are delighted to be part of the South, West and Wales Doctoral Training Partnership, which is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
See our latest PhD studentships and projects and find out more about other funding opportunities.
Tuition fees
Students from the UK
Get the latest information on postgraduate fees.
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
Get the latest information on postgraduate fees.
Students from the rest of the world (international)
Suitable for graduates in Ancient History, Classics, Classical Archaeology and related humanities and social science disciplines.
Applicants should normally possess a first or upper second class Honours degree or equivalent in an appropriate subject field and a good pass at MA.
English language requirements
IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 with 5.5 in all subskills, or equivalent. Please see our English Language Requirements guidance for more details.
Contacts
Administrative contact(s)
School of History, Archaeology and Religion Postgraduate Research Administrative Officer
Administrative contact
Academic contact(s)
Dr Eve MacDonald
Senior Lecturer in Ancient History (Study Leave 2022/3)
- macdonaldg1@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 (0)29 2087 9682
