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The PhD is a three to four-year research degree, examined by a thesis of up to 80,000 words. Candidates work independently and closely with their supervisor, a senior member of the Classics Faculty, and also have a secondary supervisor. Classes are provided in specialist research skills (eg epigraphy, palaeography, numismatics, and Linear B). When appropriate you are encouraged to work away from Cambridge, perhaps to undertake fieldwork or study manuscripts in libraries abroad.
Doctoral students spend most of their time working independently, researching their own specialist topic, but there is a wide variety of postgraduate seminars offered in the various subject areas (Greek and Latin Literature, Philosophy, History, Art and Archaeology, Philology and Linguistics, and Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Ancient World), and you will be encouraged to participate actively in one or more each term. If you need to acquire any further specialist skills, you will be entitled to attend any lectures you wish from the University's extensive undergraduate lecturing programme, in Classics or any other discipline; and the Faculty currently offers specialist research training (see above) and classes in a range of ancient and modern languages.
Open Days
The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the beginning of November. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the Postgraduate Open Day page for more details.
The Faculty will host its annual Postgraduate Open Day on Saturday 19 November 2022. A sample Programme for the day can be found on the Faculty's Postgraduate Study page.