Ancient and modern receptions of antiquity

Qualifications Duration Start dates Application period
PhD
(MPhil also available)
Full time: 3–4 years
Part time: 6–8 years
February and October January to April
Qualifications
PhD (MPhil also available)
Duration
Full time: 3–4 years
Part time: 6–8 years
Start dates
February and October
Application period
January to April

The ancient world has never gone away. Research into ancient and modern receptions of antiquity focuses on how the texts, images and ideas of Greek and/or Roman culture have been transmitted, adapted, rewritten and appropriated in a range of ancient and modern cultures across the globe.

Classical Studies has long been a pioneer of this kind of research, and the expertise of its current staff spans a wide range of topics, including classics and popular culture; modern receptions of ancient visual culture, and translations and adaptations of classical poems and plays. Applications for projects in any area that corresponds to the research interests of one or more members of staff are welcome; interaction with the School’s other research areas is also encouraged.

If you would like to join us as a full- or part-time research student, please contact us for an informal preliminary discussion (details below). A well thought-out research proposal which sets out specific research questions and your strategies for addressing them, and which outlines the originality of your topic or approach, will enhance your chances of admission.

We are always glad to offer advice before application (for example on how your project might enhance existing work in the field; what facilities you would need; what ancient and/or modern language ability you need for your project; and how you could participate in the discipline's research culture and engage with students in other universities).

Entry requirements

Minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) and an MA with a minimum grade of merit. If you are not a UK citizen, you may need to prove your knowledge of English.

Potential research projects

  • Classics and popular culture
  • Classical translations and adaptations
  • Reception of Greek and Roman art
  • Reception of Greek and Latin drama and poetry
  • Classics and social justice movements
  • Reception theory

Current/recent research projects

  • Cinematic Receptions of the Perseus Myth
  • Monsters as the ‘Other’: A Defence of Polyphemos from Homer’s Odyssey to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
  • Hippolytus and Phaedra in drama, dance, opera and film
  • The Depiction of Slavery in Ancient World TV drama

Potential supervisors

Fees and funding

UK fee International fee
Full time: £4,712 per year Full time: £11,958 per year
Part time: £2,356 per year Part time: £5,979 per year

Some of our research students are funded via the Open-Oxford-Cambridge AHRC Doctoral Training Partnership; others are self-funded.

For detailed information about fees and funding, visit Fees and studentships.

To see current funded studentship vacancies across all research areas, see Current studentships.

Links

Roman warrior attacking his enemies
 

How to apply

Get in touch

If you have an enquiry specific to this research topic, please contact:

Dr Jasmine Hunter Evans and Drd Marchella Ward
Email: FASS-ClassicalStudies-Enquiries
Phone: +44 (0)1908 653247

Apply now

If you’re interested in applying for this research topic, please take a look at the application process.