Details
This is the degree for you if you enjoyed studying the ancient world as an undergraduate, and would now like to study Roman History and Archaeology in greater depth and at a higher level; or if you want to explore this aspect of antiquity and it wasn’t included in your first degree. It allows you to specialise, but also encourages you to branch out into related disciplines and to consider interdisciplinary approaches.
You will study three core modules and three optional modules (from across all of the programme’s pathways), offering the opportunity for interdisciplinary study. You will also complete a 15,000-word dissertation on a subject of your choice, with one-to-one expert supervision.
Why study this course
The University of Birmingham has one of the highest concentrations of staff in Roman studies and classical antiquity has been studied at the University for more than a hundred years. Current research strengths include: the ancient city, especially Rome and Pompeii; the archaeology of death, burial and human remains; cultural memory; environmental archaeology; historiography and trends in historical study; religion; the life course; the archaeology of landscape; and archaeological imaging and remote sensing techniques. Our field unit, Birmingham Archaeology, is home to the VISTA Visual and Spatial Technology Centre.
With such a range of expertise available, you will be supported to explore your specific interests, particularly through the dissertation.
Modules
You will study three core modules:
Empire and Identity: The City in the Roman West
Building on a series of case studies – literary, archaeological, historical and epigraphic – this module introduces a range of interdisciplinary approaches to the study of the city. You will develop an advanced understanding of how contemporary urban theory helps us understand the ancient Roman city. You will learn to apply a range of interpretive approaches to key archaeological sites in order to understand the role of the city in creating imperial identity. The module places you at the forefront of developments in the study of the relationship between Roman imperialism and Roman urban life.
Research Skills
This module will help you to develop the skills necessary for graduate level research, introduce you to the latest methods and techniques for interpreting primary sources, and demonstrate how to make critical use of scholarly works. You will learn how to define and approach interesting research questions, and develop an overview of the fields of scholarship most relevant to your pathway.
Approaches to Images, Material Culture and Texts
This module invites you to experiment with interdisciplinary approaches. Linked to a series of research seminars by academic staff, the module is a forum in which staff and students work together to identify significant current directions in research, and to explore links, and differences, between academic disciplines.
You will also choose three optional modules, from a range which typically includes:
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Age and Gender in the Roman World
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Creating Europe: Complex Societies 1000 BC – AD 1000
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Egyptian Culture in Context, 1100-200 BC
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Herodotus and Ancient Worlds
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Latin Language (beginners, intermediate or advanced)
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Myth and Text in antiquity
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Research Project Development
Some of these optional modules will form the core of other pathways.
Fees and funding
We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2013/14 are as follows:
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Home / EU: full-time - £5,130
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Overseas: full-time - £13,200
Part-time programme fees are one half of the full-time programme fees.
Learn more about fees and funding
Scholarships and studentships
Scholarships to cover fees and/or maintenance costs may be available.
For further information, visit the College of Arts and Law scholarships page or email financialsupport@bham.ac.uk
International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government.
Entry requirements
Learn more about entry requirements
International students
Academic requirements
We accept a range of qualifications, our country pages show you what qualifications we accept from your country.
English language requirements
You can satisfy our English language requirements in two ways:
How to apply
When clicking on the Apply Now button you will be directed to an application specifically designed for the programme you wish to apply for where you will create an account with the University application system and submit your application and supporting documents online. Further information regarding how to apply online can be found on the How to apply pages
Apply now