Two specialisations: Classics and Ancient Civilizations

Our two specialisations give you a world-class, interdisciplinary education. If you choose the track Classics, you will receive excellent training in Greek and Latin language and literature from Homer to Late Antiquity, including linguistics, intertextuality, narratology, and reception. If you choose the track Ancient Studies, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the social, cultural and religious worlds of Ancient Greece, Rome and the Near East.

This Master’s is offered jointly by the University of Amsterdam and VU Amsterdam– combining their expertise in Archaeology, Ancient History and Classics in the Amsterdam Centre for Ancient Studies and Archaeology (ACASA).

Students as partners in research

The one-year Classics and Ancient Civilizations Master's programme allows you to explore the theoretical frameworks and methodologies currently used in Classics and Ancient Studies. You will gain a thorough disciplinary knowledge of the Greek and Latin language and literature or of themes in the field of Ancient Studies, such as religion, gender and urban history. In addition, there are two joint courses for students of both specialisations focusing on interdisciplinary approaches to the Ancient world. Students are considered to be partners in research, and teaching is strongly related to the research expertise of the staff.

Why study Classics and Ancient Civilizations in Amsterdam?

• You will receive excellent training either in Classics: Greek and Latin from Homer to Late Antiquity, linguistics, intertextuality, narratology, and reception, or in Ancient Studies: an in-depth understanding of the social, cultural and religious worlds of Ancient Greece, Rome and the Near East;
• You will be able to follow and develop your personal scholarly interests, by tapping into the wide array of expertise of eminent scholars and their research projects at the UvA and VU;
• Amsterdam is an international metropolis with a small-city feel. It is a welcoming place to live and study and English is widely spoken.

After graduation

The Master's programme Classics and Ancient Civilizations prepares you for a broad range of career opportunities. After graduating you can be employed in positions requiring in-depth knowledge of this area and/or a range of academic skills from critical text analysis to presentation skills.

Degree certificate

Classics and Ancient Civilizations is an accredited degree programme comprising the track Classics and the track Ancient Civilisations. After successful completion of one of the tracks of this programme, you will receive a legally accredited Master’s degree in Classics and Ancient Civilizations and the title Master of Arts (MA).

The joint programme is offered by ACASA (Amsterdam Centre for Ancient Studies and Archaeology). If you enroll at the UvA, you will also automatically be enrolled as a (guest)student at VU Amsterdam; if you enroll at VU Amsterdam, the opposite applies. You will receive your diploma from the university at which you originally enrolled.