Macquarie University offers programs of study in Coptic Studies at both undergraduate and Postgraduate level, each of which can be taken in two modes, part-time or full-time study.
Introductory Coptic studies, including introductory Coptic language, can be taklen in the undergraduate program, as part of a B.A. or B.Ancient History, or in the Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate of Arts with a major ion Coptic Studies.
At postgraduate level, Coptic may be studied in the M.A. in Coptic Studies, or the Postgraduate Certificate in Coptic Studies. Both these degree require previous study in the field.
Research in Coptic Studies can also be undertaken as part of a PhD or MPhil.
Students are accepted for the first semester (March through June) and the second semester (August through November) each year.
All degrees may be taken entirely online, except the PhD or MPhil, and the Honours (4th) year of the B.A. or B.AncHist.
Information on how to apply to study Coptic Studies at Macquarie may be found here. Contact us if you need help!
Master of Arts in Coptic Studies
The Master of Arts in Coptic Studies consists of eight units (32 credit points) from among those offered in the postgraduate Coptic Studies program. The M.A. can be taken part-time over two to four years (one or two units per semester), or full-time over one year (four units per semester). For the schedule of offerings consult the Course timetable. If you wish to study full-time, please contact one of the Coptic Studies staff for advice.
The units or courses will cover the study of the Coptic language and various aspects of Coptic civilisation, with an emphasis on the 4th to 9th centuries, when Egyptian culture was predominantly Christian. The completion of the degree will enable students to read Coptic texts in the original language, to study the enormous political, social and religious changes Egypt underwent in the First Millennium and to have an in-depth view of several of the most important aspects of Coptic culture: Egyptian monasticism, Coptic art and archaeology, and Coptic literature.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the M.A. in Coptic studies requires a Bachelor or equivalent degree in Coptic Studies or a related field (e.g. Ancient History, Biblical Studies, Classics, Egyptyology, etc.), which is a prerequisite for entry into the degree. Students who wish to take the Coptic language units in the M.A. program must have completed at least one year of Coptic language in a previous degree.
Postgraduate Certificate in Coptic Studies
The Postgraduate Certificate in Coptic Studies consists of 3 units (12 credit points) from among those offered in the program.The Certificate is particularly suitable for those wishing to complete a shorter course of study for professional development or personal interest. It is possible to upgrade this degree to an M.A. in a subsequent stage.
The Postgraduate Certificate can be taken part-time over two or three semesters (1 04 1.5 years) (one unit per semester or two units in one semester and one in the next). For the schedule of offerings consult the Course timetable. If you wish to study full-time (taking three units in one semester), please contact one of the Coptic Studies staff.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Postgraduate Certificate in Coptic studies requires a Bachelor or equivalent degree in Coptic Studies or a related field (e.g. Ancient History, Biblical Studies, Classics, Egyptyology, etc.), which is a prerequisite for entry into the degree. Students who wish to take the Coptic language units in the M.A. program must have completed at least one year of Coptic language in a previous degree.
Graduate Diploma in Coptic Studies
The Graduate Diploma of Arts with a Major in Coptic Studies consists of eight units (24 credit points) from those offered in the Undergraduate Coptic Studies Program. The Graduate Diploma can be taken part-time over two to four years (one or two units per semester).
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Graduate Diploma requires a Bachelor degree in any discipline: a previous degree in Egyptology or Ancient History is not necessary for admission.
Graduate Certificate in Coptic Studies
The Graduate Certificate of Arts with a Major in Coptic Studies consists of 4 units (12 credit points) from those offered in the Undergraduate Coptic Studies Program. The Graduate certificate can be taken part-time over two (one unit per semester) or full time in one year.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Graduate Diploma requires a Bachelor degree in any discipline: a previous degree in Egyptology or Ancient History is not necessary for admission.
Certificate or Diploma in Ancient Languages
Undergraduate Coptic language units (including Introductory Coptic) may be taken as part of a Certificate or Diploma in Ancient Languages. These allow students to do the three undergraduate Coptic language units AHIS 268, 269 and 368. Students can also take other relevant languages the department offers in these programs (these include Ancient Greek, Latin, Egyptian Hieroglyphs, Akkadian and Classical Hebrew, most of which, especially Greek and Hieroglyphs are very valuable to Coptic Studies).
The Certificate in Ancient Languages is a 12 Credit point (4 unit) program: at least 3 units must be in the one language. For further information on the program, see here.
The Diploma in Ancient Languages is a 24 Credit point (8 unit) program: at least 4 units must be in the one language. For further information on the program, see here.
Admission Requirements
The Diploma in Ancient Languages is open to students who are eligible for admission to a degree program at Macquarie or another approved institution. The Certificate in Ancient Languages has no admission criteria. Both awards are HECS-based. Transfer is possible from the Certificate to the Diploma, and from the Diploma to a Bachelor of Arts Degree.
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Ancient History
Introductory and advanced Coptic Studies units in the Undergraduate program may be taken within the Bachelor or Arts, in the Major in Greece Rome, and Late Antiquity, or the Major in Egypt and the Ancient Near East. They may also be taken as part of the Bachelor in Ancient History. An Honours Degree, in which students complete a fourth year of study comprising a research project, may be taken as part of both degrees. For further information on these degrees, see here.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the B.A. and B.AncHist. is via UAC, with the admission requirements in terms of entry scores as set by Macquarie University.
Research Degrees in Coptic Studies
Macquarie is an internationally recognised centre of research in Early Christianity, papyrology, and Egyptology, at the intersection of which sits the research program in Coptic Studies. Research into Coptic studies may be undertaken as part of a PhD or an MPhil.
The PhD is a 4 year full time program of research examined by a 100,000 word thesis. The MPhil is a 2 year full time program of research examined by a 60,000 word thesis. Part-time candidature is also possible in both degrees. The thesis topic must be agreed between the candidate and Coptic Studies staff, but research on most aspects of Coptic Studies can be undertaken. If you are interested in undertaking a PhD or MPhil in Coptic Studies at Maquarie please contact one of the Coptic Studies staff.
Scholarships for PhD and MPhil study are available on a competitive basis for local and international students. For information on Scholarships, contact the Coptic Studies staff for advice, and see the Macquarie University Research Office website.
Admission Requirements
Entry into the PhD or MPhil programs requires an B.A. Honours Degree or equivalent. The latter may be the M.A. (Hons) Degree or the Certificate in Research Prepration offered by the Department of Ancient History at Macquarie, or comparable local or international programs, which will be assessed on application by Coptic Studies staff and the Macquarie University Higher Degree Research Office.
Further Options (general interest study)
Coptic Studies units may be taken as part of Macquarie University's non-award program. Students enrolled in a non-award program will get the same materials and do the same work as students enrolled in a degree, and can transfer their credit to a degree at a later stage.
