MA Ancient History
About this course
MA (Hons) in Ancient History, a classics degree focused on the history and culture of the Greek and Roman worlds. The programme allows students to expand studies to late antique and Byzantine periods, alongside other ancient civilisations including the Persians, Egyptians, and Carthaginians. The first year covers survey courses on the history and culture of the Greek and Roman worlds, alongside further courses from within classics. The second year continues with dedicated courses on ancient history and a further course within classics. The third year introduces more specialised study across ancient history, classical art or archaeology, classical literature in translation, and beginner or intermediate language courses in ancient Greek or Latin. The fourth year builds upon these areas through further advanced study in ancient history, classical art or archaeology, classical literature in translation, and language acquisition.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: from AAA to ABB (required: no specific A level subjects required) IB: 34 points with 655 at HL
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 24%: 38 offers from 156 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 11 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 79%
- Assessment and feedback: 78%
- Academic support: 94%
- Organisation and management: 88%
- Learning resources: 89%
- Student voice: 79%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 55%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 15%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 10%
- Natural and social science professionals: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 30%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 50 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 10%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 45%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 5%
- Wales: 5%
- Scotland: 30%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 5%
Modules
- take survey courses on the history and culture of the Greek and Roman worlds
- take one or more further courses from within classics
- choose courses from a wide range of options
- take courses on ancient history
- take a further course within classics
- choose courses from a wide range of options
- ancient history
- classical art or archaeology
- classical literature in translation
- beginner or intermediate language courses (ancient Greek or Latin)
- ancient history
- classical art or archaeology
- classical literature in translation
- beginner or intermediate language (ancient Greek or Latin)
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Ancient History at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £26,000 after 3 years, £32,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,000 and £43,000. The £32,000 median after five years is £500 more than the UK median for Classics.
What do graduates of MA Ancient History at University of Edinburgh do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Ancient History at University of Edinburgh?
91% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Ancient History at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 161 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Ancient History at University of Edinburgh?
24% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 38 offers from 156 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Ancient History at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Ancient History at University of Edinburgh?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.