Ancient Civilisations (Full-time) (MA)
This Distance Learning Ancient Civilisations, MA gives you the chance to explore the rich and varied history, archaeology, and culture of ancient societies from across the globe.
You will explore the wonders of Ancient Egypt, with its majestic pyramids and mysterious tombs, and the great empires of Mesopotamia, where the earliest cities were built. The course also covers the influential civilisations of Classical Greece and Rome, which laid the foundations for much of modern society, from politics to philosophy. Beyond the familiar, you will also examine the culture and history of ancient China, the Bronze Age Aegean, and the Celts of western Europe, all of which shaped their regions in unique ways.
The course is designed for anyone with a keen interest in ancient history. By looking at the material remains of these societies, such as art, buildings, and everyday objects, you will gain a deeper understanding of how ancient people lived and thought. Through the study of archaeology, you will learn the methods and techniques used to uncover these remains, helping you to develop practical skills that are valuable both within and beyond academic research.
In addition to the exploration of past cultures, the programme will help you build essential research skills. You will be introduced to the tools needed to analyse ancient texts and artefacts, which will allow you to investigate key questions in Greek history, Roman history, and the wider ancient world. These skills will not only prepare you for further academic study but also open doors to a wide range of careers, from education and museums to heritage and the arts.
This programme provides an in-depth look at the diverse ancient civilizations that shaped the world we live in today. It offers a broad and flexible learning experience that encourages students to explore their interests, develop critical thinking, and gain a deeper understanding of the past.
Whether you are passionate about Ancient Greece or curious about the mysteries of Ancient Egypt, this course offers something for everyone. By studying these ancient societies, you will gain insight into the complexities of human history, and the ways in which the past continues to influence our present and future.
Course details
- Distance Learning
- Full-time
- English
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
Our Distance Learning MA in Ancient Civilisations offers engaging, flexible learning. We blend rigorous academic study with practical research, allowing students to explore the history, archaeology, and culture of ancient societies through a range of immersive teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, and fieldwork.
You will firstly build a strong foundation in ancient history and archaeology. studying key civilisations, including Ancient Egypt, Classical Greece, and Rome, while learning essential research skills.
You will further deepen your knowledge of ancient civilizations from around the world, by exploring a wide range of optional modules, including ancient China and the Bronze Age Aegean, while developing advanced techniques in archaeology and historical analysis.
Through an in-depth research project, you will then apply your learning to a specific area of interest. You’ll further refine your research skills, drawing on your studies in archaeology and history to produce a dissertation.
Compulsory
(30 credits)
(60 credits)
Optional
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
Course Page Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
Ratings and Rankings
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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2:2 honours degree 
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or UWTSD recognised equivalent.
Alternative entry routes 
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Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCert). This is the first part of the full Master’s degree.
Once you have successfully completed your PGCert studies, you will be eligible to progress for the remainder of the Master’s degree. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
These are ideal routes if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Admissions Advice and Support 
For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
English language requirements 
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements 
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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The modules will be assessed using a range of assessment formats. There are no exams, instead each format focuses on a written or oral element. Each written element showcases different styles of academic writing and designed to encourage critical thinking and self-reflection. The skills demonstrated in the various assessment formats are directly relevant to a broad range of applied research professions and beyond.
- Systematic Review
- Briefing Paper
- Professional Presentation
- Practical Skills Assessment
- Reflective Essay
- Portfolio of competencies
- Research proposal
- Research papers
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Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies.
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.
Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities
There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Opportunities to Learn Welsh
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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You may be offered the opportunity to attend a relevant conference or external event and if so you may be expected to contribute to the costs involved.
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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This programme is ideal for those who want to learn more about the ancient world, but there are also some more practical module choices to help students improve their job prospects.
Many of the students who undertake the course on a part-time basis are already in employment and wish to gain a postgraduate qualification as a possible means to promotion or change of job role.
Former students include journalists, writers, storytellers, teachers, lecturers, editors and people who work in the tourist or heritage industries.