The Classical Mediterranean MA, PGDip, PGCert, by distance learning
1 or 2 years, full- or part-time
As a period of cultural history, the scope and influence of the classical age is staggering. In this degree, you’ll study the history and archaeology of the time, as well as the role classical antiquity plays in the modern world.
Course information
UK fee £9,550
International fee £9,550
Taught by Archaeology and Ancient History
Admissions and course enquiries
+44 (0)116 252 5281
Submit a course enquiry
Course description
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.
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
Entry requirements
2:1 degree in archaeology (or anthropology in North America) or classical studies.
We will consider applicants who do not have a degree but have extensive professional archaeological experience.
If you have a 2:1 degree in a different subject area we may make you a conditional offer on the basis of you first taking some of our undergraduate modules as 'bridging' courses.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Countries listFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in October 2025 or February 2026
- MA: £9,550
- PGDip: £6,360
- PGCert: £3,185
Find out more about how to pay and scholarships and funding.
Did you know you can apply for a Government Postgraduate Loan? Find out if you’re eligible. (MA only; not available for PGDip or PGCert.)
International Students
Starting in October 2025 or February 2026
- MA: £9,550
- PGDip: £6,360
- PGCert: £3,185
Find out more about how to pay and scholarships and funding.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
Our archaeology and ancient history courses are designed to enable you to develop your skills and knowledge, whether to enhance your career prospects, proceed to further study, or for general interest.
There are opportunities to develop your practical skills, and employability skills are embedded throughout our curriculum. Consequently, our courses are highly valued by employers who will recognise the key transferable and subject-specific skills gained.
Our Career Development Service is here to support you – by email, phone or skype – with advice on interviews, CVs, work experience and more. From registration to Graduation and beyond, they are here to help you reach your professional goals.
Related courses
Related courses
What our students say
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?
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.
Course structure
MA
MA
Core modules
Option modules
In addition to the Archaeology Dissertation, you will complete the following two option modules:
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
PGDip
PGDip
Core modules
Option modules
Choose two modules from the list below:
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
PGCert
PGCert
Option modules
Choose two modules from the list below:
- Text and Material Culture
- Encountering the Classical World
- Classical Landscapes
- Households and Domesticity in the Ancient World
- Mini-Dissertation
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Why Leicester?
Archaeology and Ancient History at Leicester is ranked in the top 100 in the world by the QS University Rankings. Our academic staff are active in research on every continent, with research interests from early prehistory to the recent past.
Our courses cross the traditional academic boundary of archaeology and ancient history, letting you gain a wider knowledge in your chosen area.
Our staff are active in research on all continents while many work closely with UK contract archaeology and the heritage sector not least through their work with ULAS (University of Leicester Archaeological Services).
Our teaching staff have a wide range of expertise in classical archaeology and ancient history and many are world-leading researchers in this area.
Teaching and learning
Teaching
All of your modules are delivered by distance learning. Our courses will give you the flexibility to study from any location within a structured and supportive framework. You will receive excellent support from our expert archaeology and ancient history academics and professionals. We understand you are combining study with external commitments and you can defer your studies if necessary.
Each module consists of specially prepared self-study materials, which are made available online through Blackboard, our virtual learning environment, and supplemented by our Library's book-loans-by-post service.
During the course, you will be allocated an academic tutor for each module and you will receive one-to-one supervision throughout your course.
Assessment
Each of the modules you choose will be assessed using at least two written assignments. You will be provided with detailed written feedback on each piece of work that you submit for assessment. All of your assignments will be assessed by two markers who are academics or professional archaeologists.
Distance Learning
Online learning is an important feature of this course, therefore it is essential that you have reliable, regular access to the internet (preferably with a broadband connection) in order to participate.
As a distance learning student, you will have access to the University Library's electronic service, the Leicester Digital Library, which includes a large number of e-journals and e-books. You are also welcome to join campus-based activities (by prior arrangement) at any time.
If you live close to Leicester you can, of course, visit the Library in person. For UK-based students who wish to use other libraries, we can issue you with a card which allows you to do so. This is a national scheme which allows distance learning students to borrow material from up to three other participating libraries.
Key dates
Start date: 7 October 2024
Application deadline for October 2024 start: 16 September 2024
Start date: 3 February 2025
Application deadline for February 2025 start: 13 January 2025
Start date: 6 October 2025
Application deadline for October 2025 start: TBD
Start date: 2 February 2026
Application deadline for February 2026 start: TBD
Apply now
Course | Qualification | Duration | Start Dates | Availability |
---|---|---|---|---|
Course The Classical Mediterranean | Qualification MA | Duration 2 years by distance learning | Start Dates February, June and October each year | Availability Apply Now |
Course The Classical Mediterranean | Qualification MA | Duration 2 years by distance learning | Start Dates February, June and October each year | Availability Apply Now |
Course The Classical Mediterranean | Qualification PGDip | Duration 18 months by distance learning | Start Dates February, June and October each year | Availability Apply Now |
Course The Classical Mediterranean | Qualification PGCert | Duration 8 months by distance learning | Start Dates February, June and October each year | Availability Apply Now |