Ancient History and Greek (MA)

Introducing MA Ancient History and Greek

In MA Ancient History and Greek, you will combine the study of the history of the Graeco-Roman world with the study of the ancient Greek language.

The programme is of particular educational value in that it develops the disciplinary skills of the historian with:

• linguistic knowledge
• interpretation of literature

The study of Greek will give you access to some of the world’s greatest literature. You will read foundational texts of the western tradition (such as epic, tragedy, philosophy and history) in their original language.

The ability to read texts in Greek will also enrich and deepen your study of ancient history.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Study the Greek and Roman civilisations from the Bronze Age to Late Antiquity and Byzantium.

• Take courses on other ancient peoples and civilisations such as the Etruscans, the Persians and the Carthaginians.

• [MA]: Master of Arts

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: AABB by end of S5 or AAAB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. (Revised 31/10/24 to lower entry requirements from “AAAB by end of S5 or AAAA by end of S6”.)
• A Levels: AAB. (Revised 31/10/24 to lower entry requirements from “A*AA”.)
• IB: 36 points with 665 at HL. (Revised 31/10/24 to lower entry requirements from “39 points with 666 at HL”.)

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 34 points with 655 at HL.

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

• SQA: Highers: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5s: English at C.
• A Levels: no specific A Level subjects required. GCSEs: English at C or 4.
• IB: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: English at 5.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme.

International Foundation Programme

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 at C
• GCSE at C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate at C
• IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 162 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 54 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 5 in each component.*

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT, or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.

English language requirements

(*Revised 24 May 2024 to change PTE Academic requirement from total 62 with at least 54 in each component, and to clarify that we do not accept PTE Academic online. Revised 29 August 2024 to add Oxford ELLT requirements.)

You will acquire practical, intellectual and theoretical skills that are highly valued by employers.

You will gain rigorous mental training in a range of disciplines. This enables you to demonstrate intellectual flexibility and the ability to adapt to new situations and to learn new skills.

Where our graduates work

Classics graduates have gone on to pursue a range of career paths, including:

• journalism
• museums
• teaching
• academia
• accountancy
• finance
• IT
• publishing
• the armed forces
• the legal profession
• the civil service