Course name
University name or location
Topic or category
Find a course
Search, shortlist and compare thousands of courses to find that perfect one.
Where to study
See what makes a university special and discover where you belong.
Find a university
Search by name or city.
Get Advice
Get tips, tricks and wise words from students and experts at each stage.
Browse advice
A-level choices
Accounting personal statement examples
Law degree
Revision help
Oxbridge applications
Ucas application
Student life
Student finance
Browse all advice
Popular right now
Can you speak lawyer?
What is a university lecture like?
Law degree or no law degree - should you go to law school?
What A-levels do you need to study law?
Six things you need to know before making your final A-level choices
What university is really like
Why it's worth joining societies at uni
What students wish they’d known about postgrad study
Master of Arts (with Honours) - MA (Hons)
Archaeology and Ancient History
University of Edinburgh
Entry requirements
Here's what you will need to get a place on the Archaeology and Ancient History course at University of Edinburgh.
Select a qualification to see required grades
A level
A,A,B
AAB. Required subjects: A levels: no specific A Level subjects required. GCSEs: English at C or 4.
Tuition fees
| Location | Fees |
|---|---|
| England | £9,535 per year |
| Scotland | £1,820 per year |
| Wales | £9,535 per year |
| Northern Ireland | £9,535 per year |
| Channel Islands | £9,535 per year |
| Republic of Ireland | £9,535 per year |
| EU | £28,000 per year |
| International | £28,000 per year |
Course summary
What this course is about
UCAS code: VV1A
Here's what University of Edinburgh says about its Archaeology and Ancient History course.
Combining the study of ancient history with the theory and practice of archaeology, this interdisciplinary programme offers the opportunity to explore the ancient civilisations of the Mediterranean with a particular emphasis on Greece and Rome.
You will gain the historiographic and archaeological skills required to understand past societies, including:
-
the analysis of literary sources
-
understanding of ancient buildings and forensic evidence
-
learning ancient and modern languages
Learn about societies and civilisations
The rich body of literary and documentary texts that survive from ancient Greece and Rome provide fascinating insights into their culture and society.
Archaeology investigates the human past using material remains such as artefacts and excavated sites to reconstruct the life of early societies, including:
-
economic life
-
social life
-
cultural life
Teaching and research expertise
At Edinburgh, we have a rich tradition of archaeological teaching and research. Our specialisms include:
-
European prehistory
-
the early civilisations of the Mediterranean
-
the Near East and Egypt
You will be introduced to standard and innovative archaeological techniques and the practice and theory of archaeology, including:
-
science-based archaeology
-
animal and human bones
-
digital applications
Practical skills
We emphasise the importance of training in practical archaeological skills. You will have an opportunity to gain hands-on experience of artefact identification and analysis in practical sessions using artefacts from our own Vere Gordon Childe collection.
Fieldwork
You will complete 3 weeks of archaeological fieldwork at the end of Year 1. In later years of study, you will also have the option to complete:
-
further fieldwork
-
projects in heritage management and public engagement
-
lab-based analysis of archaeological remains
Course details
Qualification
Master of Arts (with Honours) - MA (Hons)
Department
School of History, Classics and Archaeology
Location
Central area campus | Edinburgh
Duration
4 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Subjects
• Archaeology
• Classical studies
Start date
September 8, 2025
Application deadline
January 29, 2025
University of Edinburgh reviews
Showing 108 reviews
1st year student
I love our student union, I think it is a great space and a good bar, however the student union club could do with a bit of work, making it more accessible and having a range of music. The drinks are a good price, and food deals are welcomed!
1 year ago
1st year student
Campus is sociable and vibrant during the day and in the evening. There is lots to do throughout the week, but I do feel that this dies down quickly. I think overall it is very good, but that there could be better communication in showing students what is out there. rn
1 year ago
1st year student
I haven't been made aware of financial support offered, but I know there is it out there, so potentially it could be advertised more. I would say that the university is adding to rising prices of 1st year student accommodation- not helping living in a city where renting student flats is already very...
1 year ago
1st year student
I have had good communication with my student advisor, and have no complaints. However, I feel I have not needed to communicate lots with academic support, so maybe I am not the best representative. The same goes for welfare services.
1 year ago
1st year student
These are great! The main library could be slightly larger or have more seating areas, just as it is often difficult to find a seat. But I love all the other libraries available, and the fact that our main one is 24/7.
1 year ago
1st year student
I personally enjoy my course, but feel as if first year has been very broad. I understand all things need to be covered, but potentially there could be an evaluation of things everyone has learnt across Higher Scottish exams, A-level and international qualifications, to limit going over unnecessary ...
1 year ago
National Student Survey (NSS) scores
The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.
The Archaeology and Ancient History course at University of Edinburgh features content from more than one subject area. Using the options below, you can see ratings from students who took courses in each of these subject areas at this uni
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
72%
low
Teaching on my course
72%
low
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
60%
low
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
80%
low
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
80%
low
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
70%
low
Learning opportunities
58%
low
Learning opportunities
58%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
73%
low
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
57%
low
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
53%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
61%
low
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
47%
low
Assessment and feedback
55%
low
Assessment and feedback
55%
low
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
64%
low
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
81%
low
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
47%
low
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
30%
low
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
51%
low
Academic support
73%
low
Academic support
73%
low
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
76%
low
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
70%
low
Organisation and management
61%
low
Organisation and management
61%
low
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
59%
low
How well organised is your course?
61%
low
Learning resources
74%
low
Learning resources
74%
low
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
67%
low
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
83%
low
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
71%
low
Student voice
56%
low
Student voice
56%
low
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
27%
low
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
73%
low
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
67%
low
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
57%
med
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course.
74%
low
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
72%
med
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
86%
low
Teaching on my course
86%
low
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
81%
med
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
92%
med
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
83%
low
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
91%
med
Learning opportunities
74%
low
Learning opportunities
74%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
75%
low
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
78%
low
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
72%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
85%
low
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
61%
low
Assessment and feedback
59%
low
Assessment and feedback
59%
low
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
69%
low
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
72%
low
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
61%
low
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
42%
low
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
51%
low
Academic support
85%
low
Academic support
85%
low
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
93%
med
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
77%
low
Organisation and management
70%
low
Organisation and management
70%
low
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
73%
med
How well organised is your course?
67%
low
Learning resources
84%
med
Learning resources
84%
med
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
73%
low
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
91%
med
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
89%
med
Student voice
64%
low
Student voice
64%
low
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
38%
low
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
85%
med
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
72%
med
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
53%
low
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course.
67%
med
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
72%
med
Student information
The Archaeology and Ancient History course at University of Edinburgh features content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below to find out about the students taking courses in each of those subject areas at this uni.
| Most popular A-levels studied | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Grade | |||||
| History | B | |||||
| English Literature | A | |||||
| Classical Civilisation | A* | |||||
| Biology | A | |||||
| Geography | A | |||||
| Most popular A-levels studied | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Grade | |||||
| History | A | |||||
| Classical Civilisation | A | |||||
| English Literature | A | |||||
| Latin | A | |||||
| Mathematics | A | |||||
Graduate prospects
What graduates do next
We have no information about graduates who took Archaeology and Ancient History at University of Edinburgh.
Earnings after graduation
Earnings from University of Edinburgh graduates who took Archaeology and Ancient History - or another course in the same subject area.
Earnings
£21.9k
First year after graduation
£29.2k
Third year after graduation
£31.8k
Fifth year after graduation
Shown here are the median earnings of graduates at one, three and five years after they completed a course related to Archaeology and Ancient History.
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree
Discussions
Discussions
Students are talking about University of Edinburgh on The Student Room.
University of Edinburgh open days
Are you thinking of applying to this university?
Before you do, it's a good idea to go to an open day. You can have a good look around campus, getting a better idea of what it's like to study there. You'll meet current students and staff and get the chance to ask them questions.
Universities will list upcoming open days on their websites. Most will also have virtual open days; these are a great alternative if you really can't get there in person. For tips on preparing for open days, check the advice section here on The Uni Guide.
