PhD Classics at University of Virginia

Programme overview

Language- and philology-focused PhD in advanced study of Greek and Latin and Greek and Roman literatures. Students are admitted directly to the PhD and the MA is earned along the way.

Faculty: Graduate School of Arts & Sciences | Department: Classics | Intake: Application deadline January 15. | Study mode: full-time | Location: Charlottesville, VA, United States

What you will study

Students master both languages, then pursue original research through a cycle of courses on major ancient authors and genres, Greek and Latin composition, specialized seminars, and the dissertation.

Career pathways

University or college professor of Classics; research scholar; curator, editor or researcher in cultural institutions; humanities publishing; pre-collegiate Latin or Classics educator; translator.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (all master's and PhD programs, University of Virginia): online application with a 500-1,000 word statement of purpose, two letters of recommendation (some programs require more), unofficial transcripts of all post-secondary study, and an $85 non-refundable application fee. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is expected. GRE is not required unless noted for the programme (required for Economics, Sociology, Statistics; Physics GRE required for Physics). International applicants need TOEFL iBT 90 (22 speaking, 22 writing, 23 reading, 23 listening), IELTS 7.0 in each section, or Duolingo English Test 130 overall unless waived (automatic waiver for undergraduate degrees earned entirely in English-medium instruction); committees may consider scores below these minimums. Enrolling students without an English-medium undergraduate degree take the UVA English Language Proficiency Exam in May before their first term. A writing sample is required for this programme.

Requirements published at faculty level.

Application fees (2026-27): undergraduate $75; Graduate School of Arts & Sciences $85; Architecture $80; Batten graduate $75; Darden non-PhD $250, Darden PhD $100; Data Science $85; Education and Human Development $65; Law $85; McIntire graduate $85; Medicine $80; Nursing $88; SCPS $70; Graduate Engineering no fee.

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