The first seven units of study guide you through the fundamental steps of dissertation research and planning.
Unit 1: Introduction and finding a topic – You'll be introduced to the dissertation's marking criteria and the steps involved in finding a suitable topic.
Unit 2: Finding, selecting and analysing sources – In this unit, you’ll develop your research focus further by working through the process of finding, selecting and starting to analyse the sources that will provide the evidence on which you’ll base your dissertation.
Unit 3: How to find and use scholarship – This unit is designed to help you develop your skills in locating, reading and analysing the key scholarly works you’ll use in your dissertation.
Unit 4: Refining your research question – Next, we’ll take you through the steps to turn your research topic into a specific research question. It will help you focus on constructing a convincing argument in your dissertation.
Unit 5: Planning and structure – This unit will help you organise your material into a coherent research plan and dissertation proposal, which you will then submit as your first tutor-marked assignment. While you await feedback on your proposal from your tutor, you’ll continue with the final two units of directed study.
Unit 6: Studying independently – You’ll assess the skills and resources you already have for studying independently and think about where you could develop more ways to maintain your study skills, motivation, and self-belief throughout your independent dissertation work.
Unit 7: Setting out on the dissertation journey – In the final unit, you’ll think more deeply about project planning and how to make the most of the feedback you will receive on your draft material over the course of the independent study time to follow.
Overall, the directed study units will provide a solid foundation for you to proceed with the sustained period of self-directed study. This will be your dissertation preparation, supported by supervision from your tutor and additional learning events. By requiring you to develop and answer a research question of your own choice, the MA dissertation is also intended to prepare you to progress to further research, for example, in the form of a PhD.
By studying this module, you’ll:
This module will be particularly relevant if you wish to pursue a career in classical studies, teaching, or work in academic institutions, museums, galleries, the heritage and wider arts sector. In addition to this, classical studies graduates are highly valued by employers for their very broad skill sets developed through working with a wide range of source materials that, in turn, require high levels of intellectual flexibility. Linguistic aptitude, critical analysis, creativity, and skills in researching, organising, and presenting material are useful in a variety of jobs.
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate.
Course work includes:
You'll have access to a module website, which includes:
You can only study this module as part of specific Open University qualifications.
A869 is a compulsory module in our:
MA Classical Studies part 2 starts once a year, in September.
This page describes the module that will start in September 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in September 2036.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
| Start | End | Register by | England fee |
|---|
| 05 Sep 2026 | 30 Jun 2027 | 13 Aug 2026 | Not yet available* |
| *This start date is open for pre-booking, which means you can reserve your place ahead of the fees being confirmed. We’ll publish updated 2026/27 fees and funding information on the 25th of March. |
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to support your study costs. To find out more, see Postgraduate loans in England.
If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to help with your tuition fees. To find out more, see Postgraduate tuition fee loans in Northern Ireland.
If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to help with your tuition fees. To find out more, see Postgraduate loans in Scotland.
If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to support your study costs. To find out more, see Postgraduate loans in Wales.
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Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA).
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Over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees.
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We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may get support from your employer to pay part of your tuition fee and pay the remainder by credit or debit card.
For more information about combining payment options, contact an adviser.
Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
