MA Archaeology and Ancient History
About this course
MA (Hons) in Archaeology and Ancient History, an archaeology and classics degree combining the study of ancient civilizations with material culture and historical analysis. Core topics include Fieldwork and Human Behaviour. Students complete three weeks of archaeological fieldwork at the end of the first year. The first year covers methods of site discovery, excavation, recording and analysing artefacts, scientific analysis of animal and human remains, and survey courses on the history and culture of the Greek and Roman worlds, alongside further fieldwork, projects in heritage management and public engagement, and lab-based analysis of archaeological remains. The second year explores the recolonization of Scotland after the last ice age, world heritage sites in the heart of Scotland such as Neolithic Orkney, the ways the environment shapes human behaviour, the lasting impact activities like farming had on the Scottish landscape, and Roman advances into Scotland. The third year involves studying the history of archaeology from its antiquarian beginnings, theories used to understand and interpret remains, contemporary practice in the UK and internationally, alongside two courses from a selection of ancient history covering Greece, Rome, and Byzantium, and two courses in either archaeology or ancient history. The final year comprises two archaeology courses and two ancient history and classical art/archaeology courses.
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: 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 45%: 55 offers from 122 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: 78%
- Assessment and feedback: 73%
- Academic support: 94%
- Organisation and management: 88%
- Learning resources: 85%
- Student voice: 73%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 28 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 11%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 7%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Natural and social science professionals: 10%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 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: 80%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
- No formal qualifications: 15%
Modules
- methods of site discovery
- excavation
- recording and analysing artefacts
- scientific analysis of animal and human remains
- take survey courses on the history and culture of the Greek and Roman worlds
- choose a course from a wide range of option courses outside your primary subjects
- further fieldwork
- projects in heritage management and public engagement
- lab-based analysis of archaeological remains
- the recolonization of Scotland after the last ice age
- the world heritage sites in the 'heart' of Scotland (such as Neolithic Orkney)
- the ways the environment shapes human behaviour
- the lasting impact activities like farming had on the Scottish landscape
- the Roman advances into Scotland
- Study the history of archaeology from its antiquarian beginnings in the 18th and 19th centuries and its development as an academic discipline.
- Consider the theories that archaeologists have used to understand and interpret the remains that they have found and examine how these ideas have changed over the past 150 years.
- Study the contemporary practice of archaeology in the UK as well as internationally, providing an insight into the practical skills required of professional archaeologists.
- two courses from a wide selection of ancient history (Greece, Rome, and Byzantium, for example)
- two courses in either archaeology or ancient history
- two archaeology courses
- two ancient history and classical art/archaeology courses
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Archaeology and 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 £6,500 more than the UK median for Archaeology.
What do graduates of MA Archaeology and Ancient History at University of Edinburgh do next?
81% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Archaeology and 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 Archaeology and Ancient History at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 176 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Archaeology and Ancient History at University of Edinburgh?
45% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 55 offers from 122 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Archaeology and 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 Archaeology and Ancient History at University of Edinburgh?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.