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Ancient Civilisations (Full-time) (MA)

Distance Learning
2 Years Full-time

The MA in Ancient Civilisations is a unique programme, which is available both on campus and as a distance learning degree.

This offers students interested the ancient world the opportunity to study various aspects of the history, archaeology, and culture of diverse ancient civilisations from ancient Egypt to Mesopotamia, from Classical Greece and Rome to ancient China, from the Bronze Age Aegean to the Celts of western Europe.

Course details

Start date:
Study modes:
  • Distance Learning
  • Full-time
Language:
  • English
Course length:
2 Years Full-time

Why choose this course?

01
If you would like to learn more about the archaeology, history and religion of diverse cultures of the ancient world beyond Greece and Rome, this programme is ideal for you.
02
You’ll be able to choose from a wide range of topics taught by experienced university lecturers who are specialists in their fields.
03
You’ll gain research skills which will be a sound basis for further study, as well as a range of important skills which can be easily transferred to the workplace.

What you will learn

This unique multidisciplinary masters degree allows students to study a wide variety of subjects drawing from the following fields: Near Eastern and Aegean Archaeology, Ancient History, Egyptology, Celtic Studies, Chinese Studies, the Old Testament, gender studies, religion, and iconography.

No previous knowledge of the ancient world is required for this programme, drawing as it does from a variety of different disciplines and intellectual approaches.

Compulsory

Spaces, Places and Objects in Ancient Mediterranean Religions

(30 credits)

MA Dissertation Ancient Civilisations

(60 credits)

Optional

Rome and the Indian Ocean: The Classical World in a Global Context

(30 credits)

The History and Culture of Late Antiquity

(30 credits)

Art and Representation in the Ancient Near East

(30 credits)

Religions in China, 1500 BCE - 500 CE

(30 credits)

Celtic Sanctity, Spirituality and Hagiography

(30 credits)

Unravelling Heritage: History, Theory, Methods

(30 credits)

Introduction to Digital Humanities
Screening the Past: Film and History - Ancient, Medieval, Modern
From Patriarchs to Prophets: Reading and Reception
Work Placement

(30 credits)

Aspects of Greek and Roman Religion and Cult

(30 credits)

Life in the Eastern Desert of Egypt

(30 credits)

Religious Change and Resilience: The case study of Amarna

(30 credits)

Gender in the Ancient World
Myth in Greek and Roman Epic
Textiles in the Ancient World

Course Page Disclaimer

  • We listen to student feedback and insights from industry and from professionals to ensure that course content is high-quality and up-to-date, and that it offers the best possible preparation for your future career or study goals. 

    For this reason, there might be modifications to the content of your course over time, to keep up to date with changes in the subject area or in the sector. If a module is no longer running, we’ll make sure to keep you informed, and work with you to choose a different suitable module.

Ratings and Rankings

Staff

Our People

You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses. 

Further information

  • Applicants are expected to have a good first degree (a first or upper second), although every application is considered in its own merit, so places may be offered on the basis of professional qualification and relevant experiences.

    Candidates with a lower degree classification or no degree may be admitted at Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma level, with an opportunity to upgrade to Master’s level if satisfactory progress is made.

  • The modules will be assessed using a range of assessment formats. There are no exams, instead each format focuses on a written or oral element. Each written element showcases different styles of academic writing and designed to encourage critical thinking and self-reflection. The skills demonstrated in the various assessment formats are directly relevant to a broad range of applied research professions and beyond.

    • Systematic Review
    • Briefing Paper
    • Professional Presentation
    • Practical Skills Assessment
    • Reflective Essay
    • Portfolio of competencies
    • Research proposal
    • Research papers
  • You may be offered the opportunity to attend a relevant conference or external event and if so you may be expected to contribute to the costs involved.

  • You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.

  • This programme is ideal for those who want to learn more about the ancient world, but there are also some more practical module choices to help students improve their job prospects.

    Many of the students who undertake the course on a part-time basis are already in employment and wish to gain a postgraduate qualification as a possible means to promotion or change of job role.

    Former students include journalists, writers, storytellers, teachers, lecturers, editors and people who work in the tourist or heritage industries.