Archaeology and Ancient History (MA)

Introducing MA Archaeology and Ancient History

Combining the study of ancient history with the theory and practice of archaeology, this interdisciplinary programme offers the opportunity to explore the ancient civilisations of the Mediterranean with a particular emphasis on Greece and Rome.

You will gain the historiographic and archaeological skills required to understand past societies, including:

• the analysis of literary sources
• understanding of ancient buildings and forensic evidence
• learning ancient and modern languages

Learn about societies and civilisations

The rich body of literary and documentary texts that survive from ancient Greece and Rome provide fascinating insights into their culture and society.

Archaeology investigates the human past using material remains such as artefacts and excavated sites to reconstruct the life of early societies, including:

• economic life
• social life
• cultural life

Teaching and research expertise

At Edinburgh, we have a rich tradition of archaeological teaching and research. Our specialisms include:

• European prehistory
• the early civilisations of the Mediterranean
• the Near East and Egypt

You will be introduced to standard and innovative archaeological techniques and the practice and theory of archaeology, including:

• science-based archaeology
• animal and human bones
• digital applications

Practical skills

We emphasise the importance of training in practical archaeological skills.

You will have an opportunity to gain hands-on experience of artefact identification and analysis in practical sessions using artefacts from our own Vere Gordon Childe collection.

Fieldwork

You will complete 3 weeks of archaeological fieldwork at the end of Year 1. In later years of study you will also have the option to complete:

• further fieldwork
• projects in heritage management and public engagement
• lab-based analysis of archaeological remains

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: AAAB by end of S5 or AAAA by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: AAB.
• IB: 36 points with 665 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.)

With an archaeology qualification from the University of Edinburgh, you will:

• Gain practical, social, intellectual and theoretical skills.
• Learn to think logically by developing sound research and analytical skills.
• Be able to compile and critically evaluate evidence in order to formulate and present an argument coherently.
• Become familiar with a range of disciplines, enabling you to demonstrate intellectual flexibility and the ability to quickly adapt to new situations.

Through fieldwork, you will develop a range of practical archaeological skills. These will enable you to appreciate more fully our human environment and its role in the contemporary world.

Where our graduates work

Many archaeology graduates find employment as professional archaeologists working for:

• government agencies
• universities
• museums and heritage organisations
• applied archaeological companies/consultancies

Our graduates are also well-rounded people with a range of transferable skills that will give you the opportunity to pursue a broad range of careers, for example in:

• business
• management
• teaching
• journalism
• the police
• the civil service