Course description

This postgraduate degree provides an exciting and challenging forum for you to explore the archaeology and history of the Classical Mediterranean world. You will study and interpret evidence from the Mediterranean to gain a deeper understanding of the societies and economies that shaped classical antiquity.

Our course questions the ways in which the classical past may be reconstructed and 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 data of many kinds and from many sources. We seek to equip you with a broad critical understanding of both the potential and the limitations of different forms of archaeological 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 southern Gaul to North Africa and Syria.

This Classical Mediterranean 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.

Most distance learning courses are part-time. However this MA can be taken full-time in just one year. 

• Please note: The last student cohort on this MA will start in February 2025. A revised version of this MA (called Ancient History and Classical Archaeology) will run from September 2025.

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

Related courses

What our students say

My MA in Classical Mediterranean Archaeology is 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 an art historian and museum professional I was already very familiar with the visual record and mythology. The Leicester program provided me with the additional layer of knowledge that I knew I was missing: what was daily life like in ancient Greece & Rome?; how did people engage with the objects and structures we now visit in museums and heritage sites?; how were these objects uncovered?; how have they been interpreted over the centuries?; what are the primary sources for so many of the stories that we often take for granted in the modern world?; and what are the many lenses between us and the people of ancient Greece and Rome that can help us understand antiquity and also recognize our own modern interpretations and misinterpretations of the ancient past.

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, The Classical Mediterranean MA 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 can start your studies at two different points in the year, either in October or February and you can study part time, taking one module at once, or full time studying two modules at a time. You can pause your studies at the end of a module if you need to.

The teaching semester is divided into a series of study sections. Every module includes an opportunity for you to complete a first assessment during your study of the module. This is followed by further sections of study material before you complete 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.

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.