Classical Archaeology MA

This Master's degree in classical archaeology allows you to undertake advanced study of the archaeology, history and cultural legacies of Ancient Greece and Rome. You will explore classical culture within the broader context of the ancient Mediterranean world and you will learn how to use material culture to better understand ancient societies. The course will also give you the key archaeological skills you need to retrieve and evaluate material evidence. You will learn in a culture of active research, with teaching and supervision from world-leading academics working at the cutting-edge in their fields.

The course starts with an exploration of the broad themes of classical archaeology, including methodologies and interpretative approaches to the material past. While grounding you in the key theoretical approaches, the degree will also develop your practical skills, with an optional fieldwork module that covers major techniques and approaches to excavation. Another focus is on contemporary debates about the reception and interpretation of classical history and culture, particularly the meanings that have been attached to antiquities, which is a particular research strength in the Department of History, Classics and Archaeology.

You will develop the research skills and knowledge you need to research and write a dissertation on the subject that particularly interests you, under the supervision of one of our academic experts. If you wish, you can go on to pursue archaeological research at MPhil/PhD level or professionally and independently.

This course is ideal for anybody fascinated by the archaeology and history of the classical past and it could help you prepare for a career in archaeology, museology, heritage management, education and conservation.

TEACHING

Teaching may include formal lectures, seminars, and practical classes and tutorials. Formal lectures are used in most degree programmes to give an overview of a particular field of study. They aim to provide the stimulus and the starting point for deeper exploration of the subject during your own personal reading. Seminars give you the chance to explore a specific aspect of your subject in depth and to discuss and exchange ideas with fellow students. They typically require preparatory study.

CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY

Graduates go on to careers as archaeologists or in related fields such as in museums or galleries, building conservation or education.

COURSE SPECIFIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: We offer a one-year Graduate Certificate in History, which can be used as a conversion course if you want to study at postgraduate level, but have a degree in a significantly different discipline. Our standard postgraduate entry requirement is a second-class honours degree (2:2 or above) from a UK university, or an equivalent international qualification. We will review every postgraduate application to Birkbeck on its individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.