PhD in Classics/Ancient History help... Where to do it?

Hi, I've been thinking about/looking into doing a PhD in Classics and Ancient History (to start in 2025). My aim is to become a uni lecturer and I know that I need to do a PhD to do this (plus I want to do one anyway). However, im struggling a bit to choose where to do it. Currently I'm at Exeter University, I love it there, all the lecturers and professors are amazing. But everyone I know has been telling me to look at places like Oxford/Cambridge etc to do my PhD at because it would be better for my academic career. From a bit of research online, I see that the university you do your PhD at can have an effect on said career, I.e. you're better off going to a higher ranking University (Exeter ranks 13 in the UK for classics). Like I said, I really enjoy the environment at Exeter, all the professors, the topics they teach and cover all suit me and they'd be able to supervise me there. But would staying at Exeter to do my PhD be okay? Or would I be better off trying for Oxford/Cambridge? Thanks in advance for any help and advice!

Hi, I've been thinking about/looking into doing a PhD in Classics and Ancient History (to start in 2025). My aim is to become a uni lecturer and I know that I need to do a PhD to do this (plus I want to do one anyway). However, im struggling a bit to choose where to do it. Currently I'm at Exeter University, I love it there, all the lecturers and professors are amazing. But everyone I know has been telling me to look at places like Oxford/Cambridge etc to do my PhD at because it would be better for my academic career. From a bit of research online, I see that the university you do your PhD at can have an effect on said career, I.e. you're better off going to a higher ranking University (Exeter ranks 13 in the UK for classics). Like I said, I really enjoy the environment at Exeter, all the professors, the topics they teach and cover all suit me and they'd be able to supervise me there. But would staying at Exeter to do my PhD be okay? Or would I be better off trying for Oxford/Cambridge? Thanks in advance for any help and advice!

Hi, I've been thinking about/looking into doing a PhD in Classics and Ancient History (to start in 2025). My aim is to become a uni lecturer and I know that I need to do a PhD to do this (plus I want to do one anyway). However, im struggling a bit to choose where to do it. Currently I'm at Exeter University, I love it there, all the lecturers and professors are amazing. But everyone I know has been telling me to look at places like Oxford/Cambridge etc to do my PhD at because it would be better for my academic career. From a bit of research online, I see that the university you do your PhD at can have an effect on said career, I.e. you're better off going to a higher ranking University (Exeter ranks 13 in the UK for classics). Like I said, I really enjoy the environment at Exeter, all the professors, the topics they teach and cover all suit me and they'd be able to supervise me there. But would staying at Exeter to do my PhD be okay? Or would I be better off trying for Oxford/Cambridge? Thanks in advance for any help and advice!

sorry this has nothing to do with your question but what was your undergraduate degree, as i am planning to study classics at uni at hopefully ucl so wanted to know what your degree was

I think you're approaching this the wrong way.

You should be looking based on the department's research projects (and whether they align with yours) and whether there is a suitable supervisor for your proposed project. If there's no one at Oxford or Cambridge working on what you want to do there's not much point looking there.

So if Exeter is a better fit for your research interests, that's probably worth factoring in!

As above, you need to start with what the topic of your PhD will be. So if you want to investigate the political ramifications of Ovid's exile for example (is that even a thing?) then you should look at who is writing about the Augustinian period, the politics of Rome's relationships with Thrace etc. Find the departments where there are academics actively writing about the early republic, poetry, international relations of the time etc.

It's Classics - you will be lucky if you find more than 3 places where this might be the case, the field will narrow - but remember, if it gets to narrow, you can look at the History, International Relations and English faculties to see if they have people working in these areas, because you can be co-supervised and you just need the general environment of academic interest in your area. You will add to that community, not just be a taker as a PhD student.

Then you've got your shortlist - you really need to make more than one application if you are serious about this. Exeter may or may not be on that list. And of course, if it is, then it's got a massive headstart because the logistics are in place. But if it's Oxford, Cambridge and Durham (very likely), then you go to one of those.

As well as what’s been said above, I’d add that you need a Masters to get a place on a PhD programme. Are you doing that now? If you’re still doing undergrad you need to look into taught Masters programmes.

Also if you want an academic career it can be a good idea to experience different institutions- that can be at Masters or PhD level

sorry this has nothing to do with your question but what was your undergraduate degree, as i am planning to study classics at uni at hopefully ucl so wanted to know what your degree was

Hey, No problem! My degree is in Classics and Ancient History. Classics is more literature based (as artful_lounger said in his reply, most of the time you need some form of Greek/Latin to do it) Whereas Ancient History is less literature based (it still uses alot of it but more translations so need for Latin/Greek isnt required, but you pick up alot along the way anyway!). Its kind of more like history where you learn about the ancient world as a whole through a variety of primary and secondary sources I.e. literature to archeology etc! Whereas classics is far more literal and study of the literature that was produced in antiquity. (At least this is my experience of it)