MSt in Ancient Philosophy

at University of Oxford

Teaching and learning on the MSt in Ancient Philosophy normally consists of individual supervisions with members of the faculty during term-time, classes and lectures, and ongoing independent research.

During the course, you will take two subject options. The first must be chosen from the following list of undergraduate papers in ancient philosophy:
 

• Plato: Republic
• Plato on Knowledge, Language & Reality in the Theaetetus and Sophist
• Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics
• Aristotle on Nature, Life and Mind
• Knowledge and Scepticism in Hellenistic Philosophy
• Latin philosophy

Tuition for these subjects is offered in the form of supervisions, as well as lectures and classes. 

The second subject option consists of two classes, which change every year, and you must attend both classes. In the last four years, the following classes have been on offer, which give an idea of the sort of subjects that have been tackled: Plato on Education, Happiness and Time in Ancient Philosophy, Seneca’s Moral Letters, Aristotle’s Defence of Natural Slavery and its Legacy, Techne in Ancient Philosophy, Vice in Ancient Philosophy, Virtue and Eros in Stoic Philosophy, The Ontology of Action: Aristotle and After, The Stoics on Emotions, Plato and Aristotle on Truth, Prudence in Aristotle’s Ethics, Sophistry and Fallacy in Plato and Aristotle, and Plato’s Political Philosophy.

Finally, you will write a thesis of 10,000 to 15,000 words on a topic you have chosen in consultation with the course coordinator and a prospective supervisor.

In a typical fortnight during term-time, a student can expect to spend around one hour receiving one-to-one supervision, between four and eight hours attending ancient philosophy seminars, and up to six hours of Ancient Greek tuition (voluntary). This translates as around 12–30% of a full-time working week. Students can expect to spend the remaining time on self-directed study.

It is not a course requirement for students without any (or with little) Ancient Greek to attend the language classes currently run by the Faculty of Classics, but it is highly recommended that they do so, as being able to read philosophical texts in the original language is an advantage for Ancient Philosophy students. Students with intermediate or advanced Greek may choose to attend more advanced Ancient Greek classes.

Each term many graduate classes and research seminars are organised by faculty members in which graduate students are full and important participants.

Moreover, during term-time the Faculty of Philosophy normally offers a weekly workshop that allows members of the faculty and graduate students to discuss work in progress in ancient philosophy by speakers from Oxford and elsewhere. All graduate students specialising in ancient philosophy are encouraged to attend this workshop.

You may also decide to attend any graduate or undergraduate classes, seminars and lectures in and outside of the Faculty of Philosophy which are of interest to you, provided those classes, seminars and lectures are open to you.

Graduates are encouraged to organise their own seminars and reading groups, and they also run two societies: one invites distinguished speakers from the UK and around the world, while the other gives graduates the opportunity to present papers to a graduate audience.

Each year there is an Oxford Graduate Philosophy Conference, in which most graduate philosophy students participate in some way.

The course has no fieldwork, industrial placement or year abroad element, but you may decide to attend conferences, workshops or research training elsewhere.

Proven and potential academic excellence

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:
 

• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in philosophy, classics or a closely-related discipline. 

However, entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants have a first-class degree or the equivalent. 

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.6 out of 4.0. However, most successful applicants have a GPA of 3.7.

GRE General Test scores
 

• No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.
• Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience
• You are not required to have any publications.

Further guidance

Students who achieve a distinction on the MSt in Ancient Philosophy are eligible for progression to the DPhil in Philosophy, provided that the Philosophy Graduate Studies Committee is satisfied that their proposed thesis topic and outline indicate that they can be adequately supervised by members of the Philosophy Faculty. If they started the MSt with no or limited knowledge of Ancient Greek, they are normally also required to have attended relevant classes in Ancient Greek. Students who pass the MSt in Ancient Philosophy without a distinction may be admitted to the DPhil at the Committee’s discretion.

All applications are assessed by the faculty's Graduate Studies Committee at the same time, after the application deadline has passed, and offers are made on a strictly comparative basis.

This course is suitable as a conversion course for students changing to philosophy from classics or other related disciplines.

English language proficiency

Minimum scores required to meet the University's higher level requirement

IELTS Academic 

7.5   

TOEFL iBT, including the 'Home Edition'

110

Home    
£15,270

Overseas    
£30,910

MSt in Ancient Philosophy graduates often progress to doctoral programmes, either at the faculty itself or elsewhere. Some, however, have pursued non-philosophical academic careers, or careers outside academia, including banking, information technology, law, management consultancy, teaching and public service. The graduate destinations of past MSt students are available on the MSt alumni webpages.

The faculty aims to assist students and graduates in securing academic jobs. The faculty appoints a Placement Officer who, in conjunction with the Graduate Studies Officer, runs the faculty’s placement scheme. The Placement Officer also helps job applicants with the preparation of their CVs, provides advice about the presentation of material in an application dossier and arranges practice interviews.