2Dec
PostgraduateCourse summary
Want to master the art of persuasion? If you’re also looking for a postgraduate degree course that equips you with the transferable skills of research, analysis, critical thought and communication, then this course is for you. The only course of its kind to be offered by a major UK university, this one-year, research-based postgraduate course in oratory and rhetoric is designed for all students, not just those with a background in classics. It is ideal for those looking for onward progression into a career or further studies where an ability to construct and deliver persuasive arguments, as well as analyse and evaluate those presented by others, is key. Combining both ancient and modern fields of research, the course draws on the research expertise of the Centre of Oratory and Rhetoric in the Royal Holloway Classics Department. With the primary emphasis on the practice of oratory, the course delivers a core module on Problems and Methods in Oratory and Rhetoric plus a wide range of complementary optional modules. Add to that access to experts in rhetoric and oratory from around the world as well as world-class research resources and MRes Rhetoric students will finish the course equipped with a range of analytical and research skills, fully adept in the art of persuasion. From time to time, we make changes to our courses to improve the student and learning experience, and this is particularly the case as we continue to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. If we make a significant change to your chosen course, we’ll let you know as soon as we can.
Modules
Visit our website for full list of modules: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/postgraduate/classics/rhetoric/
Assessment method
Assessment is carried out primarily by coursework, the projects and the dissertation. Examinations may be used in some of the optional modules available. Part-time students usually complete the core course and the independent projects in the first year, then take their optional course and work on their dissertation in the second year.
Entry requirements
2:1 A successful applicant will usually have the following qualities: Interest in the arts of communication both in theory and in practice, and in the history of rhetorical theory and practice Good oral and written communication skills and the capacity to develop them further Capacity and desire to pursue independent research and develop research skills. Normally we require a UK 2:1 (Honours) or equivalent in relevant subjects but we will consider high 2:2 or relevant work experience. Any professional experience involving communication such as law, politics or the media, would be seen as an advantage. Candidates with professional qualifications in an associated area may be considered. Where a ‘high 2:2’ is considered, we would normally define this as reflecting a profile of 57% or above.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Republic of Ireland | £14400 | Year 1 |
| EU | £23700 | Year 1 |
| England | £14400 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £14400 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £14400 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £14400 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £14400 | Year 1 |
| International | £23700 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
These tuition fees apply to students enrolled on a full-time basis in the academic year 2025/26. Students studying on the standard part-time course structure over two years are charged 50% of the full-time applicable fee for each study year.
Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase all postgraduate tuition fees annually, based on the UK’s Retail Price Index (RPI). Please therefore be aware that tuition fees can rise during your degree (if longer than one year’s duration), and that this also means that the overall cost of studying the course part-time will be slightly higher than studying it full-time in one year.
This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2025/26. For further information, please visit: https://royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/fees-and-funding/postgraduate/tuition-fees/
These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2025/26 academic year, and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.
Provider information
Royal Holloway, University of London
Egham
TW20 0EX