Course description

How can the classical past be reconstructed? What can diverse types of evidence reveal about ancient civilisations? This MA provides an exciting and challenging forum for you to explore the history and archaeology of the Classical period. Our course will equip you with the analytical skills to identify the debates surrounding textual and material sources, and encourage you to interrogate current perceptions of Greek and Roman societies.

During the course, you will learn to engage more critically with archaeological issues and debates, developing skills in the analysis and evaluation of sources and data of many kinds. We seek to equip you with a broad critical understanding of both the potential and the limitations of different forms of archaeological and written evidence and develop your ability to present and use your sources effectively.

You will be taught by staff with an impressive range of expertise and specialisms that are exceptional in Britain. With many ancient historians as well as classical archaeologists among our staff we are uniquely placed to explore this material and our expertise extends geographically from Roman Britain and southern Gaul to North Africa and Syria.

The Ancient History and Classical Archaeology MA is ideal if you are seeking to become a researcher in Archaeology or Ancient History, or if you want to enhance your professional career in archaeology, classical studies, museum or related contexts, as well as for existing professionals in heritage or related fields who have a particular interest in this area. Our long-established distance learning MA offers you the opportunity to study flexibly, while still benefiting from our vibrant research culture as well as the full support of our expert academic staff.

• An earlier version of this course (called The Classical Mediterranean) is currently available, with the last cohort of students starting in February 2025.
• We also offer a part-time MA by distance learning in Archaeology and Heritage.

What's the difference?

For the MA you need to complete four modules and a dissertation (or three modules and an extended dissertation). For the Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) you need to complete four modules. For the Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) you need to complete two modules. The PGDip and PGCert are not available full-time.

Entry requirements

What our students say

“My Masters degree from Leicester was a wonderful and meaningful addition to both my resume and my overall life experience. The course exposed me to a rich variety of topics and perspectives within the field and provided me with a deeper understanding around how we know what we know about ancient cultures.  As a working professional, I appreciated the ability to set my own schedule and not be beholden to specific class times; I also found it liberating, and frankly would not have been able to pursue an MA degree that didn’t allow such flexibility. I also enjoyed the freedom to choose from a range of assignments in each module, allowing me to go more deeply into topics that were of particular interest and relevance to me and my goals.”

Liz, MA student by distance learning. 

How does distance learning work?

Our courses are designed to work for a global audience of students who often lead busy lives. They are delivered by expert academic staff (the same people who teach our campus-based courses!). You work remotely at your own pace. You will be given access to our Virtual Learning Environment where all the materials for whichever module you are currently studying will be accessible as well as a student forum with overarching information about our courses.

You start your studies in September taking one module at a time and over the course of two years you will complete your MA.

The teaching semester is divided into a series of 12 study sections. You complete 6 study sessions before working on your first assessment and then the second 6 sessions follow with your final assessment. There are no set times when you need to attend class or complete your study work except for assessment deadlines. This means you can fit your studies around your work and family life in a way that works for you whether that is studying in the evenings, at the weekend, or during the daytime. During each module you will have optional opportunities to join live chats with your module tutor and fellow students.

Each module has its own space in the Virtual Learning Environment where our staff have designed content to help you learn. This might include recorded lectures, guided readings, podcasts, discussion boards and optional live sessions: each module is different! These materials will guide you through the module content. Each module has a module co-ordinator who is responsible for the delivery of the module. You will hear from them regularly as they guide you through your learning.  You will also have access to an e-reading list where all the key sources for the module are linked. In addition, you will also have access to our university Library, which has masses of digital resources you can access online - but they will also post you physical books too. In addition, they are able to provide lots of help and support, from finding resources to improving your academic skills.