Classics

Overview

The study of ancient Greek or Latin is compulsory in the first year, and may be continued in the second; prior knowledge of the language is not required.  

This Classics programme at the Maynooth University offers Greek and Latin at both introductory and higher levels, and a wide range of topics on a variety of aspects of classical Antiquity (literary, historical, philosophical), which students investigate and discuss in seminars under the guidance of academic staff. The Department has an excellent reputation both inside and outside Ireland, and while each staff member is active in research, the size of the Department allows for more personal attention to students’ needs than is sometimes possible in larger departments. A general aim is to produce graduates who are flexible, creative, openminded, critically aware, and articulate - qualities known to be fostered by studying Classics.

Career

Successful completion of the MA at a high level, with an appropriate degree of competence in a classical language, will normally equip students to proceed to study for a PhD, a necessary qualification for an academic career.  In addition, employers across a wide range of professions (for example, education, journalism, law, politics, publishing, business) value highly the wide range of intellectual abilities which an MA in a classical subject develops.