Ancient History (Full-time) (MA)
The Ancient History MA (distance learning) is designed for students with a passion for the past, offering the chance to dive deeper into Ancient Greek history, Roman history, and other fascinating areas.
This postgraduate course is perfect if you’re looking to expand your knowledge of the ancient world and explore the complexities of these societies in more detail.
Throughout the programme, you’ll study key figures from history, such as Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar, while also learning about the everyday lives of ordinary people in ancient times. Modules cover topics like warfare and economy in Ancient History, helping you understand how these societies functioned, from their military strategies to their trade systems.
This course also gives you the opportunity to develop specialised research skills. You’ll engage with ancient texts through Ancient Greek studies and Latin studies, while also exploring technical skills the study of ancient manuscripts and inscriptions. By honing your research and analytical skills in Ancient History, you’ll be well-prepared for academic research or a career in various fields.
Our master’s programme goes beyond just lectures. We offer a variety of learning opportunities that include innovative teaching methods, ensuring that you gain practical experience and a solid understanding of the material. You’ll explore the history of different regions, including the Near Eastern history and societies of Afro-Eurasia. The course also looks at how the ancient world, including the Roman Empire, influenced what we know as classical civilisation today.
With a strong focus on both theory and practical skills, this Ancient History MA is ideal for anyone enthusiastic about understanding the past and applying that knowledge to modern research or professional work.
We offer flexible study modes, and this course is available either full-time on-campus or via distance learning.
Course details
- Full-time
- Distance Learning
- English
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
Our Ancient History MA provides a dynamic and student-centred approach to learning. We blend traditional methods with innovative techniques, encouraging independent thinking, critical analysis, and practical skills.
With a wide range of fascinating modules to choose from, you will explore the rich histories of Ancient Greek and Roman societies, study influential figures and delve into everyday aspects of ancient life across the Roman Empire, Near East, and Afro-Eurasian societies.
Our aim is to equip you with the knowledge and expertise needed for academic research or professional careers related to the ancient world.
Please note: modules may run on an A/B alternative year system. Please check which modules are running for your chosen year of entry.
Compulsory
(60 credits)
(30 credits)
Optional
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
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
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- or ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø recognised equivalent.
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- Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCert). This is the first part of the full Master’s degree.
Once you have successfully completed your PGCert studies, you will be eligible to progress for the remainder of the Master’s degree. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
These are ideal routes if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Admissions Advice and Support 
For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
·¡²Ô²µ±ô¾±²õ³ó&²Ô²ú²õ±è;±ô²¹²Ô²µ³Ü²¹²µ±ð r±ð±ç³Ü¾±°ù±ð³¾±ð²Ô³Ù²õ &²Ô²ú²õ±è;If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements 
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
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Our MA Ancient History degree includes a wide range of assessment methods.
In addition to traditional essays, you will be assessed through bibliographic exercises, presentations — oral and PowerPoint — creating summaries, internal conference papers, article reviews, creating project plans and, of course, the dissertation.
This diversity in assessment methods helps to develop skills in presenting material in a clear, professional and clear manner, whether orally or in writing.
The student is assessed on a subject of his own choice in relation to each module, and in consultation with the relevant tutor each time. Most modules are assessed through dissertations, but some modules are assessed through alternative methods, such as conference presentations.
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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.
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Welsh Medium Provision
Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies.
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.
Extracurricular Welsh OpportunitiesThere are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Opportunities to Learn Welsh
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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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.
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Our aim is to equip you with the knowledge and expertise needed for academic research or professional careers related to the ancient world.