MA Ancient History
Find out more about our MA in Ancient History.
About the Programme
UCL’s MA in Ancient History is designed to cultivate a deep time perspective necessary for understanding how the distant past continues to shape our own world in profound ways. The programme covers key concepts of ancient historical inquiry as well as the skills needed for synthesising complex and fragmentary datasets.
The programme spans a startlingly long period of human history: students can access sources from the very beginnings of recorded history from 3000 BCE, up until the end of Late Antiquity around 750 CE. The geographical reach is similarly wide, stretching from the Middle East (West Asia) and North Africa to the other end of the Mediterranean, exposing students to a rich range of choices. For the academic year 2024-2025, UCL History students on the Ancient History MA Programme were offered over 50 module options.
In this programme, you will develop sought-after research and analytical skills in history, languages, and archaeology; and practical skills combining ancient texts and material culture (e.g. cuneiform studies, epigraphy, numismatics, and papyrology). Such a wide range of skills are equally valuable for specialists as well as for generalists. UCL History students studying for an MA in Ancient History enter an intercollegiate programme taught in collaboration between four institutions:
UCL (Department of History, Department of Greek & Latin)
King’s College London (KCL; Department of Classics, Department of History)
Royal Holloway, University of London (RHUL; Department of Classics)
Institute of Classical Studies (ICS, part of University of London’s School of Advanced Study)
Resources
Students get to work with leading international experts, and gain access to multiple university departments, libraries, and collections beyond their home institution. The programme also fosters an active participation in the intellectual life of ancient history research through public events, giving students the necessary resources for developing connections with networks inside and beyond UCL.
UCL History is located in Bloomsbury, only minutes away from the exceptional resources of the British Library, the British Museum, the Warburg Institute, the Institute of Historical Research, and the Wellcome Collection. Core teaching for the programme, as well as all
courses offered by UCL take place on or near the Bloomsbury Campus. Teaching delivered by KCL and RHUL normally take place on these universities’ respective campuses.
Careers
Graduates from MA Ancient History are equally successful in pursuing PhD or further research in academia, public history, or the heritage sector; or going into careers in journalism, media, creative arts, politics, health, and education. Find out more about UCL History graduate (taught) careers.
Student testimonials
Chenqing (Andy) An (MA Ancient History)
After completing my BA in History in China, I embarked on the next chapter of my academic journey at UCL. Despite it being the height of the pandemic, the tutors at UCL went above and beyond to ensure we had a fulfilling experience. They provided us with opportunities for in-person classes and even hands-on object handling at the Petrie Museum, which was truly inspiring.
I still vividly remember my happiest moments - conducting research at the ICS Library at Senate House (one of the world’s finest libraries for Classics and Ancient History), grabbing a coffee and chatting freely with my classmates on the grass of Russell Square. I fell in love with both UCL and the city, not just for the world-class scholars and resources that were so easily accessible, but also for the lifelong support and friendships - with both my tutors and classmates - I formed during my time there. It is these relationships that have truly guided and inspired me to delve further into the world of academia with passion and confidence.
See what our alumni say about the degree:
Careers
Graduates from the MA History go on to various careers in academia, heritage and public history, and other sectors. Find out more about UCL History graduate (taught) careers.
Funding
For information on funding sources available to those wishing to study for an MA at UCL History, visit our MA funding page.
More Information
For information about the programme, including fees, entry requirements, and how to apply, visit the online prospectus.
