Program description
Ancient History MA Hons
The MA (Hons) in Ancient History explores the history of Greece and Rome, and that of neighbouring peoples such as the Persians and Carthaginians. Students study the period from the beginning of Greek writing and urbanism in eighth century BCE through to the collapse of the western Roman empire in the fifth century CE. Geographically, the subject is centred on the Mediterranean world, which at times extends from the Persian Gulf to the Clyde and from the Crimea to the Sahara.
Thematically, the course deals not only with political and military history, but also with topics such as gender and sexuality, slavery, colonization, religion, cultural contacts between peoples, and the ecology and economy of the ancient Mediterranean. Students will also study the nature of ancient evidence and the way that the Greeks and Romans represented the past and reinvented it to meet their changing needs.
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Admission requirements
These grades are the overall standards required to consider you for entry. Find out more about Standard, Minimum and Gateway entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.
- SQA Highers
- GCE A-Levels
- IB points
International applicants
If English is not your first language you will need an overall IELTS score of 7.0, with a minimum score of 6.5 in each component (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking), or an equivalent English language qualification.
For more information about admission requirements, please visit the university website.
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Learn moreProgram content
First Year
Students will take the following compulsory first-year modules:
- The Greeks in a Wider World
- Rome and the Mediterranean
Second Year
Second-year compulsory modules in ancient history are:
- The Roman Empire
- Mediterranean Communities
Students can replace one or both of these modules with second-year Classical Studies modules in order to adapt the program to suit their interests. Second-year modules in Classical Studies are:
- Culture and Thought in the Late Roman Republic
- Early Greek Poetry and Philosophy
Honours
Ancient history students must take the core module Approaches to Ancient History in their third year. In addition, you will choose from a variety of advanced options, including modules from a wide range of periods that showcase different historical approaches. You will also have access to modules from the ancient history & archaeology and classical studies programs, which will give you an even wider choice of social, cultural and historical topics to explore.
Here is a sample of Honours modules which have been offered in previous years:
- Belief and Unbelief in Classical Greek Religion
- Eight Scenes from the Life of Alexander the Great
- Floods, famines, plagues and volcanoes: Roman adaptation to the environment
- Greek Tyranny
- Magic in Greco-Roman Literature and Life
- Persia and the Greeks
- Poverty and social life in Late Antiquity
- Religious Communities in the Late Antique World
- Roman Slavery
- The Supremacy of Greece: Athens, Sparta and Thebes 479-362 BCE.
In fourth year, students also undertake a 10,000-word dissertation on a topic of their choice. This independent project enables you to develop key research skills which are desired by both prospective employers and by graduate schools offering postgraduate degrees.
Scholarships & funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the university website for more information.
Program delivery
In addition to lectures and tutorials, students are expected to undertake substantial independent, but guided, work outside of the classroom. Typically, this will involve:
- reading ancient source material in translation
- reading journal articles and books
- working on individual projects
- undertaking research in the library
- preparing coursework assignments and presentations
- preparing for examinations.
Tuition fees
Career opportunities
Ancient history students at St Andrews have traditionally progressed into a very wide range of careers on graduating. Some continue their academic careers via a postgraduate training degree to doctoral study either in St Andrews or at another university. Other students have progressed to postgraduate qualifications in teaching, museum studies or archaeology.
Recent ancient history graduates have moved into careers including:
- NHS
- civil service
- financial industry
- human resources
- conference management
- heritage management.
Contact school
About this institute
University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews is Scotland’s first University. As a 600 year-old institution, we are known across the globe for our world leading quality and depth of research. For six centuries some of the world’s brightest and most promising...
Why study at University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews is situated in a truly beautiful location. Part of a seaside town it is a picturesque and inspirational location to pursue your studies, where you will have the thinking space needed to be your very best. As a smaller university our size is one of our greatest strengths with class sizes allowing for a close and individual learning experience and giving great access and support from your teachers.
Graduates of St Andrews are highly sought after by employers around the world due to our reputation for excellence. A qualification from St Andrews will help you reach your ambitions and kickstart your career.
Consistently ranked as the best student academic experience in the UK by students in the National Student Survey, your time as a student in St Andrews will be unique and rewarding, leaving you with a prestigious qualification, but also memories and connections to treasure for years to come.
Contact info
University of St Andrews
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