Research culture and training
The Department's lively research culture includes a weekly research seminar, which offer the chance to hear visiting scholars from elsewhere in the UK and from overseas. The seminar, which is open to all, allows postgraduate students to broaden their philosophical knowledge and gain a better sense of interactive research in classics.
The Department hosts regular workshops and conferences. For details of recent and forthcoming events, see the conferences page.
There is also a weekly seminar for postgraduate students, at which students take it in turns to present their research or discuss a paper of their choosing, as well as a range of formal and informal reading groups which meet weekly to discuss topics of common interest.
All students on the taught MA take a 20-credit module on Research Methods in Classics, designed both to prepare students for the writing of the MA dissertation and also to provide specialist training in research methods for those aiming to proceed to MPhil or PhD study.
Research training
On joining the University, you will receive automatic membership of the Graduate School, a unique facility for our postgraduate students, which provides a range of facilities, training opportunities and support, as well as workshops and events to enhance the postgraduate experience and help you to develop a range of transferable skills.
Workshops and events
The Graduate School runs a series of events throughout the year including:
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Careers workshops – including advice on planning your career following your postgraduate studies
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Recruitment events – to meet potential employers and learn about the opportunities for research careers
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Insider knowledge events – providing in-depth information on postgraduate issues, including how to apply for and make yourself more eligible for specific funding
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Social events – including the ever-popular Coffee, cake and catch up gatherings
Research Training Programme
The experience of undertaking research for the first time can be very different to undergraduate study – and rather daunting. The Graduate School is able to offer support in making this transition. Working closely with academic schools, the Graduate School’s dedicated training team offers core training in line with Research Councils UK standards.
All registered research students are offered training including:
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generic research skills
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IT skills
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communication skills
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career management
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teaching
Arts Graduate Centre - Researcher Portal
The Arts Graduate Centre (ACG) is a platform which supports postgraduate students in the Arts Faculty, by offering a wide range of training opportunities. The Centre aims to enhance the research environment for postgraduates and contract research staff in the Faculty of Arts by working with postgraduates and contract research staff to plan, deliver and review activities which develop skills, support their research work and enhance their employability.
The Researcher Portal is a University intranet dedicated to promoting new cross-disciplinary collaborations and fostering existing interdepartmental collaborative structures. There you will find:
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The latest information about what’s happening in the AGC.
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A searchable research profile area where you can create your own profile and find out what other PG students are doing.
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An online forum where you can share your questions, ideas and needs.
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A calendar with all Faculty and PGSA events.
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Information about funding, placements, conferences and much more…
Download the brochure to find out more about the Arts Graduate Centre Researcher Portal and to get started on your own researcher profile.
Language courses
All postgraduate students in the Department may also register for the Academic German course run by the School of Humanities. This course is designed to provide research students who have little or no experience in this language with the skills to use German in their research.
The Language Centre offers language modules, in Arabic, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, to postgraduates and staff from all departments.