Mediterranean Archaeology MA

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The Mediterranean, the world' s largest inland sea and the interface of Europe, Africa and western Asia, is one of the major crucibles of cultural, economic and political change in world history, a focus of scholarship for all periods between the Palaeolithic and the present, and a place where the past plays a critical role in the present, as well as in the creation of a viable future.

About this degree

Students will develop an understanding of Mediterranean societies from earliest times through Classical antiquity until the early medieval period, and of major interpretative paradigms and principal investigative techniques - including fieldwork and archaeological science - applied to the Mediterranean. One or more specific regions will be analysed in depth from a comparative perspective, and Mediterranean societies will be studied holistically.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of two core modules (30 credits), four optional modules (60 credits) and a dissertation/report (90 credits).

_{Compulsory modules}

All students are required to take the following: 

• Heritage Ethics and Archaeological Practice in the Middle East and Mediterranean
• Themes, Thought and Theory in World Archaeology: Foundations

_{Optional modules}

From an outstanding range of Master's optional modules, students choose options to the value of 60 credits, at least one of which must be chosen from the following list: Mediterranean Prehistory; The Mediterranean World in the Iron Age; or The Transformation of the Roman Mediterranean. The remaining must be made up from the list below (Please note not all modules are available every year): 

• Aegean Prehistory: major themes and current debates
• Ancient Italy in the Mediterranean
• British and European Prehistory: Neolithic to Iron Age
• Egyptian Archaeology: An Object-Based Theoretical Approach
• Intangible Dimensions of Museum Objects from Egypt
• Making and Meaning in Ancient Greek Art
• Making and Meaning in Ancient Roman Art
• Medieval Archaeology: Selected Topics and Current Problems
• Middle Bronze Age to the Iron Age in the Near East: City-states and Empires
• Museum and Site Interpretation
• Society and Culture in Ancient Egypt
• The Neolithic and Early Bronze Age of the Near East: The Emergence of Villages and Urban Societies
• Themes and Debates in Islamic Archaeology and Heritage
• Themes, Thought and Theory in World Archaeology: Current Topics

Please note not all modules are available every year.

_{Dissertation/report}

All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 15,000 words (90 credits). Approaches that explore new connections or comparisons are strongly encouraged, and students will be able to draw on the expertise of more than 50 members of the institute's staff.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of seminars and assessed through essays and the dissertation.

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.

Funding

Institute of Archaeology Master's Awards: a small number of grants up to the value of £1,000 are available for the academic year 2018/19. All UK/EU and Overseas fee-paying students with an offer to start any Master's degree offered by the IoA are eligible to apply. For an application form please email [email protected]. The deadline for applications is 1 March 2018.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

Careers

Graduates of this programme are expected to pursue further studies at PhD level or embark on a wide range of professional careers both within and beyond archaeology.

Employability

Successful graduates will have been fully prepared to undertake research on ancient Mediterranean societies, from a comparative region/period/theme-specific perspective, and will also possess the expert background knowledge to move on to related professional work in or on the Mediterranean (subject to the particular requirements of the role). They will also have honed their transferable skills in critical analysis, debate, presentation and writing skills that are key to any future professional career.

Why study this degree at UCL?

The UCL Institute of Archaeology is the largest and most diverse department of archaeology in the UK, and provides a stimulating environment for postgraduate study. Its own outstanding library is complemented by UCL’s Main Library, University of London Senate House and other specialist libraries.

This programme deploys the institute’s unparalleled research and teaching strengths in Mediterranean archaeology, which must constitute the largest single concentration of expertise anywhere in the UK.

UCL’s own museums and collections form a resource of international importance for academic research and students may work on material from the institute’s collection as part of their assessment. Regular interaction with the British Museum, its collections and staff offers a further invaluable opportunity to add to one's learning experience. 

Department: Institute of Archaeology

Applications

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £75 for online applications and £100 for paper applications. Further information can be found at: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.

Who can apply?

This programme is particularly suitable for graduates with a first degree in archaeology, anthropology or history who wish to develop their skills, although other previous pathways are carefully considered too.

Application deadlines

26 July 2019

For more information see our Applications page.

Apply now

What are we looking for?

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

• how your academic and professional background meets the demands of Mediterranean Archaeology
• why you want to study Mediterranean Archaeology at graduate level
• what particularly attracts you to this programme
• where you would like to go professionally with your degree and how this programme meets these needs

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Visit the Mediterranean Archaeology MA page on the University College London website for more details!