Classical Archaeology and Classical Civilisation BA

Course overview

This degree examines the cultures, societies and material remains of Greek and Roman civilisations. Students will complete 70 days of partially-funded fieldwork, which includes excavation, museum work, research and digital fieldwork. For Classical Archaeology & Classical Civilisation BA students this may include a six-week Field Study Tour to the Mediterranean as part of the fieldwork component (also partially funded). The Field Study Tour is a programme of individual or group visits to sites and museums around the Mediterranean, allowing you to undertake first-hand examination of ancient sites, museums and objects in preparation for the final year dissertation. Alternatively, you can choose to do the partially-funded 70 days of fieldwork, or a reduced length Mediterranean Study Tour alongside other fieldwork.

The programme provides a foundation in archaeological approaches, field methods and explores current archaeological issues focusing on themes of landscape, material culture, social change and social organisation. You will also take an Ancient Language module (Greek or Latin) at beginner or advanced level.

You will pursue specialist interests through optional modules focused on particular geographical regions, time periods and archaeological materials. This includes ancient languages, Greek and Roman art, archaeology and literature options. Optional modules will help you develop practical skills in a range of areas, from working with archaeological written sources to illustration and imaging. There are archaeology optional modules that run on a biennial basis and range from Roman Art and Architecture to Pottery Analysis; from Geoarchaeology to Zooarchaeology; from Amazonia or the Aztecs to Stonehenge, China and Early Islamic Archaeology.

Explore the history, art and material culture of the classical world. Examine the changing settlements, social structures and everyday practices of Greek and Roman civilisations, as well as the legacies of the Greco-Roman world. You will study at least one classical language, receive an introduction to key archaeological theories and methods, and develop practical skills through field visits.

This degree is perfect for students, who want to analyse and interpret the history of the ancient world, using skills from both disciplines.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

The foundation of your career

Students learn to communicate effectively verbally, visually and in writing to diverse audiences and develop a sensitivity to different cultures.

They also develop excellent transferable skills providing the experience necessary to work both within the archaeology, heritage and museum sector and in numerous sectors outside of the discipline.

Our graduates go on to work in a diverse range of fields including archaeology (fieldwork, research and academia), heritage, museums, the UK civil service and police, law, engineering, business - the possibilities are extremely wide and varied. (Graduate Outcomes survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of UK and EU graduates in the 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21 cohorts).

Employability

Throughout the degree, students develop highly desirable transferable skills valuable across a range of job sectors. This includes both independent working and teamwork skills, research and analytical skills, planning and project management, and an understanding of the importance of recovering primary data through practical experience.