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Inquiries related to the online application can be directed to SGPS at:
Email: gradapps@uwo.ca
Phone: 519-850-2341
Fax: 519-661-3730
Ancient Philosophy
Master of Arts (MA)Meet Paola Chapa Montes, MA candidate in Ancient Philosophy

Describe your research in 100 words or less.
I wrote about Aristotle’s concept of pleasure, focusing on his psychological perspective. What is different about my research is that pleasure is normally addressed in the ethical context, where people wonder about the importance and role of pleasure in education. Instead, my research addresses the question on the nature of pleasure: what it is, why we experience it, what we mean when we say that we are pleased by ‘X’.
What’s the best advice you could give to someone considering applying to your graduate program?
Learning Ancient Greek is tough; do not get frustrated if you feel you are not making a huge progress.
Where’s your favourite place on campus to work/study/research?
The common lounge. I normally get a coffee and sit there with headphones. I like people around me and open spaces, even when I need to focus on my work.
What is your “dream” career?
I want to be a Professor for undergraduate and graduate courses in Ancient Philosophy, especially in Metaphysics.
Have you worked as a TA or RA?
Yes, I was TA every term. Especially as an international student, being a TA helps to understand more about education in general: how professors grade, their expectations, and the common background they assume we got from undergraduate studies.
What one thing would you like people to know about you?
When I care about somebody, I express it by feeding him/her. That is why sometimes I bring snacks to school and share with friends.
Program Websites
Program Contact
Meghan Magowan (mtalbot3@uwo.ca)Administrative Assistant
Department of Philosophy
Western UniversityStevenson Hall Rm 3148
London, Ontario N6A 5B8
t. 519-661-2111 ext. 83453
f. 519-661-3922
The Master of Arts in Ancient Philosophy is an interdisciplinary program jointly sponsored by the Departments of Philosophy and Classical Studies that combines graduate seminars in ancient philosophy with language courses in Greek and Latin. The overall objective of the program is to prepare students for doctoral research, whether through a Philosophy or Classics Department, by providing them with the philosophical and philological skills necessary for conducting research in Ancient Philosophy. Normally students who graduate from the program will be able to read at the 4000-level in at least one of the two languages and at the 2000-level in the other language. In addition, students will acquire graduate level of knowledge in at least one of the major ancient philosophical traditions (Plato, Aristotle, Stoics, and Epicureans), as well as a critical awareness of the main philosophical problems that shape the broader discipline.
Program Length
- 5 Terms (1.66 years)
Program Design
- Full-time study
- Course-based, project-based
Funding Information
Applicants (domestic and international) are encouraged to apply for the following scholarships:
Admission Requirements
- Honours Bachelor's degree in either Philosophy or Classics.
- Average grade of B+ or higher in the last two years or last ten half courses of the undergraduate degree.
Students will also normally be required to have taken courses in at least one ancient language (Greek or Latin) completed at the equivalent of the 2000-level courses offered at Western. In exceptional circumstances, students will be considered for admission with language preparation completed at the 1000-level.
Additional Requirements
- Recent writing sample (10-15 pages).
English Language Proficiency
Applicants whose first language is not English must furnish evidence of their proficiency in the use of the English language:
- The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum acceptable score is 550 for the paper and pencil version, 213 for the computer version, or 86 for the internet version with no individual score below 20. [Western's TOEFL ID is 0984].
- The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS). Minimum acceptable score is 6 out of 9.
- The Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB). Minimum acceptable score is 80 on each section and an overall score of 85.
- The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL Assessment). Minimum acceptable score is 60.
Application Deadline
- January 7 - Acceptance notification in February
Note: Applications may continue to be considered through the summer.