Location
Streatham Campus, Exeter
The Department prides itself on its vigorous research culture. There are current major research projects on pagan monotheism in the Roman Empire and on Galen and the world of knowledge in the 2nd century AD. Individual staff research projects range from the study of the ancient Black Sea to moral concepts in Latin literature, from Greek inscriptions to ancient ideas of character, including food, sex, politics and religion. There are strong clusters of postgraduate students studying aspects of ancient drama and the Eastern regions of the Hellenistic world.
What is an MPhil or PhD?
Both MPhil and PhD research degrees involve an extensive investigation of a particular topic.
MPhil research takes a maximum of three years to complete full-time, or five years part-time, and is assessed by the submission of a dissertation of up to 60,000 words. The PhD takes a maximum of four years full-time and seven years part-time and the results of your research will normally be assessed by a written thesis of up to 100,000 words and oral examination. The PhD is only awarded when the results of your investigation make an original contribution to knowledge in the field.
A PhD is the highest qualification that a university can award and offers a challenging and exciting opportunity to work at the cutting-edge of research: if you have these qualities Exeter can offer a very supportive environment in which to pursue research.
Advice for PhD applicants
Our online learning resource 'Considering a UK PhD?' provides lots of helpful advice and information from staff and students about the PhD experience at Exeter.
You may wish to read our general advice for PhD applicants webpages, which give tips on how to put together a successful research degree application.
Applicants for research programmes are also advised to visit the College's webpages to check for specific advice (see further information link). Here you will be able to find out about staff research interests and make preliminary enquiries about supervision. We advise that you do this before applying.
Distance-based PhD
It may be possible to study for a PhD or MPhil with only occasional visits to the University. Distance-based students undertake the majority of their research at an off campus location of their choosing. This may mean they visit the campus at just a few keys times during their studies and for no more than four months per year. If you think you may be interested in a distance-based MPhil/PhD, please read the guidance and further information before applying.
I decided to study for a PhD at the University of Exeter because I knew that the research community in the department was a lively one. There are many opportunities to engage with the research of both postgraduates and staff, to discuss ideas, and to give and receive feedback. I believe that this is important to my development as an early-career researcher. I decided to study my research area at Exeter because I knew there was someone here who had similar research interests and could therefore supervise my thesis. I was also awarded a Leventis Postgraduate Studentship at Exeter.
During the course of my PhD, I have had the opportunity to attend several conferences, both specifically in my field and in wider subjects with Classics. I have presented papers at an international conference on Irony and the Ironic in Classical Literature, held in Exeter, and at the Celtic Conference in Classics. This summer I shall be attending the Rethymnon International Conference on the Ancient Novel. I have also given papers in Swansea and at the Institute of Classical Studies in London.
Elizabeth Dollins, PhD Classics 2010
