Ancient Languages and Cultures
Ancient Languages and Cultures (M.A.)

The Ancient Languages and Cultures master’s degree program offers you a unique education in Greek and/or Latin. Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of the ancient and medieval world. As a subfield, you can even explore the methodology of Indo-European linguistic comparison, whose origins date back to the Neolithic period. Our university is world-renowned for this unique course of study, which gives you deep insights not available in other programs.
- Degree
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Duration of studies in semester
- 4
- Start of degree program
- Winter semester
- Study location
- Erlangen
- Number of students
- 1-50
- Subject group
- Language and Cultural Studies
- Teaching language
- fully german
- Admission Requirements
- Qualification assessment
What is the degree program about?
The content of the Master’s degree program is training in the languages Greek and/or Latin and, if Indo-European Studies is chosen as a subfield, also in the methodology of Indo-European linguistic comparison, the subject of which goes back to the Neolithic period. The program offers the opportunity to delve deeper into the world of ancient languages and the ancient or medieval world than is possible with other programs. It is a unique selling point of the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg worldwide. The competencies acquired in this program enable students to work professionally at universities, libraries, and publishing houses, as well as – with the appropriate additional training – at high schools.
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Each student takes the collaborative module “Motifs and Forms”; the proseminar included in this module must be chosen from one of the two sub-subjects not chosen and not already studied during the BA program.
Joint module
- 1st-2nd or 2nd-3rd semester: Motifs and Forms (Orient and Occident)
Indo-European Studies
- Semester 1.-2. or 2.-3.: Issues and History of Indo-European Studies (The Early Indo-European Studies), import module from Germanic Linguistics.
- 2nd-3rd semester: Mycenaean and the Greek dialects (e.g. also a seminar on Homer’s artificial language), Indo-European and other Indo-European languages (e.g. an advanced seminar on ancient Persian or Veda reading)
- 4th semester: Master’s thesis
Greek
- 1st -2nd semester: Two modules on Greek literature
- 1st-2nd or 2nd-3rd semester: Subsidiary disciplines such as epigraphy and/or papyrology as well as literature on the Roman imperial period
- 4th semester: Master thesis
Latin
- 1st-3rd semester: Two modules on Latin literature: prose and poetry
- 1st-2nd or 2nd-3rd semester: Ancillary disciplines such as epigraphy, paleography, archaeology or ancient history as well as history of Roman literature
- 4th semester: Master thesis
Medieval Latin
1st-2nd or 2nd-3rd semester: Latin Literature and Language in the High Middle Ages, Medial Aspects of Pre-Modernity, Medieval Textuality
2nd-3rd semester: Latin Literature and Language in the Middle Ages and Early Modern Times
4th semester: Master’s thesis -
From the four sub-subjects Greek, Indo-European Studies, Latin and Medieval Latin, you will choose two specialization subjects.
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Interest in classical languages (Greek, Latin)
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- Admission requirements (first semester)
- Qualification assessment
- Application deadline winter semester
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15.07.
- Content-related admission requirements
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- Applicants provide evidence of a completed first university degree (Bachelor or at least equivalent degree) in Greek, Latin, Medieval Latin or Indo-Germanic Studies. Bachelor’s degrees in an ancient language, especially a Germanic language, are recognized as related degrees.
- A grade of at least “good” (2.5) is sufficient as the overall grade of the previous university degree; with an overall grade of 2.51 to 3.00, applicants complete an individual admission interview.
Language skills
- General language skills
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A completed first university degree (Bachelor’s degree or at least equivalent) in Greek Philology, Latin Philology, Medieval Latin or Indo-European Studies.
Do you need help or more information?
Our Student Advice and Career Service (IBZ) is the central point of contact for all questions about studying and starting a degree programme. Our Student Service Centres and subject advisors support you in planning your studies.