Greek and Roman Studies (PhD)
In our PhD program, you will receive an advanced education in a specific field of Greek and Roman Studies which will contribute to the creation of a meaningful and productive dialogue between the past and the present.
You will begin to establish yourself as a professional, delivering papers at conferences and travelling for your research. For the culmination of your degree, you will prepare a doctoral dissertation that constitutes an original contribution to the field.
Our PhD program offers four core thematic research areas:
- Interconnectivity in the ancient Mediterranean world
- Technology in the ancient world
- Social and economic history
- Gender and identity studies in ancient Greece and Rome
| Expected length | Project or thesis | Course-based |
|---|---|---|
| 4 years | Yes | No |
Quick facts
- Program options:
- Doctorate
- Study options:
- Full-time study
- Program delivery:
- On-campus
- Dynamic learning:
- Co-op optional
Outcomes
We are committed to the exploration, elaboration and preservation of the cultures of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds as the foundation of our doctoral program.
By the end of your degree, you will develop the professional skills in written and oral communication necessary for an academic career. You will also:
- develop a deep and sophisticated knowledge of your chosen topic of research through focused study
- increase your ability to use primary sources in literature, epigraphy, historical records and material culture to inform your independent research
- make professional contacts in the field through national or international presentation of your findings
- learn the role, ethics and responsibilities of a professional in your chosen area of study
- gain access to unpublished archaeological data
- learn to manage and analyze complex and fragmentary data sets
Find a supervisor
PhD students must have a faculty member who serves as their academic supervisor. When you apply:
- you must list a potential supervisor on your application
- this faculty member must agree to be your supervisor and recommend your admission
- include an email from your supervisor with your application
To find a supervisor, review the faculty contacts. When you’ve found a faculty member whose research complements your own, contact them by email.
Gregory D. Rowe
Associate Professor Interests: Roman History:Greek and Latin epigraphy, Roman public and private law, Jewish and early Christian history.
Alejandro G. Sinner
Associate Professor and Undergraduate Adviser Research focus: the study of ancient colonialism and the social, economic and cultural history of the Iberian Peninsula during the Iron Age and the Roman era. Most notably, mobility and demography, religion, daily practices, cultural change and identity formation, pre-Roman languages, archaeometry, and archaeological method and theory.
Brendan Burke
Professor Greek archaeology; Aegean Prehistory; Anatolian archaeology; currently Andrew W. Mellon Professor of Classical Studies at ASCSA
Cedric A.J. Littlewood
Professor and Associate Dean (Graduate Studies) Silver Latin poetry, especially Senecan tragedy and Roman satire.
Ingrid E. Holmberg
Associate Professor Early Greek poetry: Homer, Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns, and archaic lyric; particular interest in narrative and gender theory.
J. Geoffrey Kron
Associate Professor Greek and Roman social, economic, and political history, most notably democracy and oligarchy; economic development, particularly agriculture, living standards, nutrition, housing, and trade; social inequality, social welfare, slavery and labour exploitation; and ideologies of social inequality, most notably capitalism, racism, and colonialism
Laurel M. Bowman
Associate Professor Greek literature (tragedy, Hellenistic literature, especially epigram); literature and gender; classical myth; reception studies; myth in popular culture.
Mark Nugent
Associate Teaching Professor and Acting Chair (until 30 June 2024) Greek and Latin language pedagogy; Imperial Greek literature; Greek and Latin novels, esp. Petronius; gender and sexuality in Greek and Roman culture; reception studies, esp. historical fiction and film
Trevor Van Damme
Limited Term Assistant Professor and Graduate Advisor Greek art and archaeology, household archaeology, ceramics and society, socio-economic inequality in ancient economies, collapse and resilience, and the archaeology of religion
Show me program details
Providing you accurate admission requirements, application deadlines, tuition fee estimates and scholarships depends on your situation. Tell us about yourself:
Your program details
Application deadlines
The application deadline for consideration for financial aid, particularly for University of Victoria Fellowships is February 1. Applications received after February 1 will be considered, but applicants will not usually be eligible for funding.
The department has a rolling application deadline for students who do not need funding, but most admissions decisions are finalized before June 30.
The application deadline for consideration for financial aid, particularly for University of Victoria Fellowships is February 1. Applications received after February 1 will be considered, but applicants will not usually be eligible for funding.
The department has a rolling application deadline for students who do not need funding, but most admissions decisions are finalized before June 30.
Admission requirements
Program specific requirements
- Focused experience in the area relevant to your intended topic of research
- Appropriate command of ancient Greek and Latin
- Competency in reading German and either French or Italian upon admission is advantageous
As part of your application, you will need to submit the following:
- A short statement of intent outlining your research interests
- Two letters of reference
- Sample of scholarly work
Program specific requirements
- Focused experience in the area relevant to your intended topic of research
- Appropriate command of ancient Greek and Latin
- Competency in reading German and either French or Italian upon admission is advantageous
As part of your application, you will need to submit the following:
- A short statement of intent outlining your research interests
- Two letters of reference
- Sample of scholarly work
Completion requirements
Funding & aid
Tuition & fees
Estimated minimum program cost*
* Based on an average program length. For a per term fee breakdown view the tuition fee estimator.
Estimated values determined by the tuition fee estimator shall not be binding to the University of Victoria.
Ready to apply?
You can start your online application to UVic by creating a new profile or using an existing one.
Faculties & departments
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Need help?
Contact Greek and Roman Studies at grsadmin@uvic.ca or 250-721-8514.