MA Ancient History
About this course
MA (Honours) in Ancient History, an anthropology, history and archaeology degree spanning Mediterranean societies from the emergence of Greek city-states to the collapse of the Roman Empire. The curriculum is delivered over four years full time, examining political, military, cultural, and environmental history across a wide geographic expanse. The first year introduces imperial power and urbanisation through compulsory modules such as Ancient Empires and Cities and communities in the ancient Mediterranean. The second year investigates methodologies and social structures through compulsory modules including Ancient Societies: Gender, Ethnicity, and Inequality in the Ancient World, Culture and Thought in the Late Roman Republic, Early Greek Poetry and Philosophy, Introduction to Archaeology, and Narratives of antiquity. Additional unassigned modules allow students to explore specialist topics like Egypt at the Crossroads: Multiculturalism in Late Antiquity, Floods, Famines, Plagues and Volcanoes: Roman Adaptation to the Environment, Experiencing the Gods in Ancient Greece, Poverty and social life in Late Antiquity, Religious Communities in the Late Antique World, Roman Slavery, The Culture of Roman Imperialism, The Environmental History of the Ancient Mediterranean World, The Rise of Rome. Early Italy from Prehistory to the First Punic War, and The Supremacy of Greece: Athens, Sparta and Thebes 479 to 366 BCE.
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Entry requirements
A level: AAA IB: 36 (HL 6,6,5)
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What students say
Based on about 9 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 93%
- Learning opportunities: 89%
- Assessment and feedback: 85%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 97%
- Learning resources: 100%
- Student voice: 93%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 115 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 96%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 3%
What graduates do next
Based on about 40 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 59%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 16%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Elementary occupations: 25%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 20%
- Sales occupations: 20%
- Teaching Professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 120 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 6%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 34%
- South East: 11%
- South West: 3%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 30%
Who gets in
Based on about 140 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 91%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- A degree: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 2%
- Other qualifications: 1%
Modules
- Egypt at the Crossroads: Multiculturalism in Late Antiquity
- Floods, Famines, Plagues and Volcanoes: Roman Adaptation to the Environment
- Experiencing the Gods in Ancient Greece
- Poverty and social life in Late Antiquity
- Religious Communities in the Late Antique World
- Roman Slavery
- The Culture of Roman Imperialism
- The Environmental History of the Ancient Mediterranean World
- The Rise of Rome. Early Italy from Prehistory to the First Punic War
- The Supremacy of Greece: Athens, Sparta and Thebes 479 to 366 BCE
- Ancient Empires
- Cities and communities in the ancient Mediterranean
- Ancient Societies: Gender, Ethnicity, and Inequality in the Ancient World
- Culture and Thought in the Late Roman Republic
- Early Greek Poetry and Philosophy
- Introduction to Archaeology
- Narratives of antiquity
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Ancient History at University of St Andrews earn?
The median salary is £29,500 after 15 months, £28,500 after 3 years, £36,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £29,000 and £47,000. The £36,000 median after five years is £5,500 more than the UK median for Anthropology.
What do graduates of MA Ancient History at University of St Andrews do next?
86% 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 St Andrews?
93% 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 St Andrews?
The typical offer is AAA at A level. The average entrant had 205 UCAS points.
Does MA Ancient History at University of St Andrews 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 St Andrews?
96% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.