Master of Arts [M.A] [Classical Archaeology] From Birkbeck, University of London

Students will explore classical culture within the broader context of the ancient Mediterranean world and you will learn how to use material culture to better understand ancient societies. The Master's degree in Classical Archaeology at Birkbeck, University of London will also give students the key archaeological skills  need to retrieve and evaluate material evidence. Students will learn in a culture of active research, with teaching and supervision from world-leading academics working at the cutting-edge in their fields.

The course starts with an exploration of the broad themes of classical archaeology, including methodologies and interpretative approaches to the material past. While grounding students in the key theoretical approaches, the degree will also develop their practical skills, with an optional fieldwork module that covers major techniques and approaches to excavation. Another focus is on contemporary debates about the reception and interpretation of classical history and culture, particularly the meanings that have been attached to antiquities, which is a particular research strength in the Department of History, Classics and Archaeology.

Students will develop the research skills and knowledge  need to research and write a dissertation on the subject that particularly interests students, under the supervision of one of our academic experts. If students wish, they can go on to pursue archaeological research at MPhil/PhD level or professionally and independently.

This course is ideal for anybody fascinated by the archaeology and history of the classical past and it could help students prepare for a career in archaeology, museology, heritage management, education and conservation.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Arts and humanities at Birkbeck are ranked fifth best in London, 18th in the UK and 87th globally in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject.
• In the Research Excellence Framework (REF), History at Birkbeck was ranked sixth in the UK for the percentage of our research deemed world-leading or internationally excellent. Of  eligible staff, 94% submitted research, and we achieved 100% for a research environment supporting world-leading and internationally excellent research.Ê
• College Department is home to thriving student societies and a number of affiliated research centres that actively run seminars, conferences and other events where some of the world's best scholars present their latest research. These include the Pears Institute for the Study of Antisemitism, the Raphael Samuel History Centre and the Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities.
• College  also at the heart of academic London with access to world-class research resources. College are five minutes' walk from the British Museum and the British Library, and the Institute of Historical Research - with its internationally renowned library collection and seminars that students can attend - is nearby. The Museum of London is a short tube ride away.
• The Eric Hobsbawm Postgraduate Scholarship fund offers a full fee-waiver for Home, EU and Overseas Master's students in the Department of History, Classics and Archaeology (part-time awards are pro-rata).

• Birkbeck Library has an extensive history collection, including the major specialist journals, and access to online materials.