Greek and Latin Studies

The Master's degree in Greek and Latin Studies is offered in three specialisations: Classical Greek, Classical Latin and Medieval Latin; for Latin, students can also take advantage of the option of a combined study in Latin language and literature (major + minor). The aim of the study is to deepen the knowledge and linguistic competences acquired by students in the Bachelor's cycle and to extend them to the post-classical and medieval phases of Latin and Greek languages and their literatures. A comprehensive understanding of Greek and Latin language and culture throughout their history, including interdisciplinary overlaps, is completed by common core courses on post-classical and medieval literature, the foundations of European science, the influence of biblical texts on the formation of European culture, and last but not least, issues related to working with ancient and medieval written sources (the adoption of writing systems, the basics of palaeography, textual criticism and editorial work). The study will equip the graduates with modern methodological tools needed for academic work, a detailed insight into the problems of ancient, medieval and neo-Latin literary sources and the ability to contextualise them in the light of the present world's challenges. Moreover, the study develops general cultural knowledge as well as analytical skills that are presently required in a wide variety of fields.

The study thus provides a comprehensive overview of the development of the Latin/Greek language from the earliest archaic documents through the medieval period with an insight into the further phase of the language in the Humanism. It deepens the knowledge of ancient literature, contextualizes the knowledge of antiquity and thus demonstrates the importance of Greek and Latin culture in the shaping of European culture and scholarship. An important part of all curriculum is the reading of original texts, in which students acquire the ability to interpret Latin or Greek texts in a multifaceted way (grammatical, literary and cultural-historical), and great emphasis is also placed on the reading of ancient or medieval works in translation.

Practical training

This programme does not require an obligatory practice.

Graduates of this study programme are qualified for work in cultural institutions, such as archives, libraries and museums, as well as for work in humanities-oriented universities (philosophical, theological, medical faculties) and institutes of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, in positions requiring a master's degree. Graduates can also carry out academic and language-oriented work for publishing houses and various other media. In addition, they are well-suited for work in the commercial sphere in all positions where independence, ability to analyse and work critically with written documents, formulation skills or ability to speak and write in a cultured manner are required by the employer as important skills. Graduates are able to look up different sources of information, evaluate them critically them and use them in an appropriate manner. The knowledge acquired through the study of the ancient world and the Latin scholarship enables a better orientation in most areas of European culture. These skills enable the graduates to adapt flexibly to the changing demands of the labour market.

Deadline for submitting applications: January 1 - April 30

Who the programme is intended for: The programme is intended for graduates of any Bachelor’s degree programme.

Subject matter of the entrance examination: the entrance examination consists of a written and an oral part. The written part is based on the requirements for the state bachelor’s examination in the Greek and Latin Studies programme at the Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University, including reading in the original languages and in translations (detailed information available here).

The written part of the entrance examination includes the following tasks:

• translation of a text by a Greek or Latin author (depending on the chosen specialization) from the required reading for the bachelor’s programme, using a dictionary, including questions related to grammar;
• demonstrating the ability to understand a scholarly text in a foreign language (English) and analyze it.

If applicants successfully pass the written test, they are invited to the oral part of the entrance examination. The oral interview focuses on the applicant’s academic aptitude for the programme and assesses their general knowledge of the literary and cultural context of the ancient/medieval world according to the chosen specialization. Applicants must submit a preliminary proposal for the topic they wish to pursue in their master’s thesis, supported by a review of scholarly literature (a proposal of 500–1000 words, plus references). The proposal must be submitted electronically no later than one week before the date of the written entrance examination to prijimacky_uks@phil.muni.cz. For applicants to a minor study plan, the oral interview concerns the defended or pending bachelor’s thesis from their previous studies. The interview is individual and is expected to last 30 minutes.

Waiver of the entrance examination: the written part of the entrance examination may be waived for applicants who have passed the bachelor’s examination in the Greek and Latin Studies programme at the Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University, with the grade “passed with excellent results” (in the case of graduates of previous programs, requests for exemption will be assessed individually). The oral part of the entrance examination cannot be waived. Applicants can ask for a waiver for the entrance examination via the e-application form, section "Application for waiver of the entrance examination".

Criteria for evaluation

Pass/fail line of the entrance examination: In the written part, it is necessary to obtain at least 70 points out of a total of 100 points; in the oral part, at least 25 points out of a total of 40 points are required.

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Minimum score and numbers of accepted applicants in past years

A graduate of the Greek and Latin Studies programme may continue in the doctoral degree study programme after fulfilling the admission requirements. The Department of Classical Studies offers doctoral programmes in Classical Philology, which focuses on Latin and Greek languages and literatures from their origins to the first centuries CE, or an interdisciplinary programme in Medieval Latin Studies, which focuses primarily on working with medieval manuscript sources, their edition and critical interpretation within the literary-historical context of the European cultural tradition.