This nine-month course is designed to allow you a period of study of Greek and/or Latin literature which is both more advanced and more independent than you will be used to from your undergraduate courses, and at the same time more tightly structured and supervised than work for a doctorate. The MSt in the main master's course in Classical literature and the one which the faculty recommends unless there are particular reasons for preferring the MPhil in Greek and/or Latin Languages and Literature. Most, but not all, students take the course as preparation for a research degree, and for such students it might offer, for instance, linguistic training; the opportunity to become acquainted with an ancillary discipline such as papyrology or palaeography; engagement with a particular author's texts at a deeper level; and a first introduction, via the dissertation, to extended research and the extended presentation of a scholarly argument. Assessment for text options is by two essays of 5,000 words, submitted either in Hilary or Trinity term, depending on your choices, and a translation exam in Trinity term. Skills-based options are assessed either by exam or by pre-submitted work, or by a combination of the two. The dissertation is submitted in Trinity term. As an MSt student you are assigned a supervisor, who provides overall direction for your course, and with whom you have regular meetings. Your supervisor will arrange tutors for you for each option. You will be taught both in, usually weekly or fortnightly, one-on-one supervision sessions (in particular for the dissertation and for the text options), and in (typically weekly) classes, and will yourself drive the direction of your studies. You also have the opportunity to attend a wide range of lectures, seminars and talks by visiting speakers. Many MSt graduates go on to take doctorates, either in Oxford or elsewhere. Many subsequently take up university teaching or research posts after finishing their doctorates. Those who do not take doctorates go into a variety of occupations, including teaching, publishing, administration, business and other professions.