PhD and MPhil applications

• Find a research supervisor

  The School asks potential research students to consult staff about their proposed topic. If you are not sure who the right supervisor might be for you, please email the Director of Postgraduate Studies, classicsdopg@st-andrews.ac.uk.

  Research students have at least two supervisors: a principal supervisor, who has relevant research expertise in the proposed study area, and a mentor. PhD students also often draw on the expertise of other staff for particular topics or skills. If your proposed topic of research is interdisciplinary, you may also be assigned a supervisor outside the School of Classics.

• How to apply

  The School of Classics does not charge a fee to apply for the research postgraduate programmes. 

  Once you have found the right supervisor, visit the postgraduate applications web page for a step-by-step guide to applying for the PhD.

  What do you need to provide?

  All applicants must complete an online application form and provide the following documentation.

  • Curriculum Vitae.
  • Two academic references. You should first obtain each referee's consent. You will be asked to name your referees during the application process, and emails will then be sent off automatically requesting references.
  • A sample of your written work in English (between 2,500 and 5,000 words). Ideally, this should be academic writing in an area relevant to your proposed course of study.
  • A transcript of your University qualifications (with official translation if not in English). You do not need to supply transcripts of modules taken in the University of St Andrews.
  • A personal statement of no more than 600 words explaining why you wish to study with the School, what your academic interests are, and what skills you would bring.
  • An outline in English (1,000 words) of your proposed research topic.
    The proposal should: 
    1. Propose a research project that will result in a contribution to knowledge.
    2. Demonstrate that you have an adequate grasp on the subject to undertake the project.
    3. Formulate a detailed plan of the project including method/approach and sources/evidence.
    4. Ensure that the proposed research is feasible within the required time, space and available resources.

  If English is not your first language, you should provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English. Postgraduate entrants to the School of Classics must achieve an overall score of at least 7 in IELTS, with a minimum of 7 in the writing component. The test result should generally be no more than two years old. Students whose recent University degree has been taught in English are normally exempt from the requirement to produce test results.

• Application deadlines

  The School of Classics does not impose deadlines for applications, but many funding and scholarship awarding bodies do set cut-off dates. Check the details for specific awards carefully.

  There are two deadlines for those applying for funding:

  1. 2 December 2024, 5pm – for students wishing to be considered for studentships awarded by the Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities (SGSAH). These include maintenance, fees at UK level, and additional flexible funding. This year, a limited number of studentships will be available to international students (including EU).

  2. 10 January 2025, 5pm – for students wishing to be considered for studentships awarded by the University of St Andrews and the School of Classics. We expect to make several awards for 2022 entry, covering maintenance and/or fees (UK and overseas level). All applications received by this date will be considered for these sources of scholarship funding, though we may also make later rounds of selection. Students who applied for SGSAH awards will automatically be considered for these awards.

• Fees

  As a postgraduate student at the University of St Andrews, you will be expected to pay tuition fees every year that you are in attendance. Visit the University's tuition fees page for more information.

• Funding

  Studentships awarded by the Graduate Training Programme of the Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities

  Home and EU students are eligible to apply for the Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities AHRC-funded PhD Studentships. Under the new funding model, successful applicants will receive funding for 3.5 years with opportunities for further flexible funding. Please contact the School's Director of Postgraduate Studies, classicsdopg@st-andrews.ac.uk, as soon as possible if you are interested in a nomination from the University of St Andrews. The final deadline for completed applications is usually early December for entry the following year, but candidates are strongly encouraged to contact the School in November or before.

  Scholarships awarded by the School of Classics from its own endowment funds

  The School sets aside funding each year for PhD scholarships to support applications from both ‘Home/EU’ and ‘Overseas’ students. The scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and research promise, to cover both fees and stipend. All complete applications received by early January will be considered for School and University funding (Home, EU and Overseas students); please let us know if you do not wish to be considered for an award. There is no separate application form.

  Additional funding sources

  The University's scholarships and funding catalogue contains several funding opportunities for PhD students, including the Wolfson Postgraduate Scholarships. For each scheme, the first step is to apply for a PhD place at St Andrews.

  You may wish to explore alternative funding sources on the School's postgraduate funding page.