Ancient History: Prospective Students

What is Ancient History and why study it?

Ancient History, the historical study of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds, seen in their Mediterranean and Near Eastern contexts, spans a vast period, from the second millennium B.C. to the 5th Century A.D. Over this long stretch of time the ancient world was richly varied and creative in its political, social, economic and cultural life. Furthermore the classical ancient world stands at the beginning of western civilization, and though remote in time from the present, is also in many respects peculiarly close to it; many of the fundamental issues of human society which still exercise us today were first formulated in ancient times. The available evidence, though restricted in comparison with more recent periods of history, is constantly being enriched by new and significant archaeological discoveries.

Ancient History at St Andrews

The School of Classics is the largest in Scotland to specialize in Ancient History with a total number of students well in excess of a hundred every year. Friendliness of contact is established from the start of the course through small tutorial groups which enable students to get to know the staff and each other very quickly. The fact that all six members of staff share the lecturing in First Year also helps students feel part of the Department as a whole.

A broad range of modules provides coverage not only of the more central periods of Ancient History, but also of less familiar though no less important periods, such as the Hellenistic Age or the Later Roman Empire. The Department's approach to the subject is based on several assumptions: that the development of the ancient world must be seen as a continuous whole; that from the first year onwards, and increasingly at higher levels, the study of the ancient world must involve some use of the primary ancient evidence in translation if not in the original; and that the aim of the ancient historian is to understand how the ancient world really worked.

Degree options

Single honours degrees

• Ancient History
• Ancient History and Archaeology - includes a dedicated archaeology module at honours level, with options to study more modules with an archaeological input
• History - Ancient History modules at all levels may form part of a History degree programme

Joint honours degrees

Ancient History may be combined in a Joint Honours Degree with Art History, Biblical Studies, Economics, Film Studies, French, German, Greek, Italian, Latin, Mathematics, Philosophy or Spanish.

Other degrees

Ancient History First and Second level modules may be studied as part of a General Degree, or to complement honours degrees in other subjects.

The School of Classics also offers an Honours Degree in Classical Studies, which has its own First and Second Year modules (which may also be taken by Ancient History students). Many of the honours modules in the School are open to students on both programmes.

No previous knowledge of the ancient world or of an ancient language is required.

More information on programme requirements.

To reflect the popularity of Ancient History at undergraduate level, opportunities for graduate study have been developed to permit students to pursue their interests in greater depth. There is a taught graduate course, which can be undertaken by itself for the award of a diploma or in conjunction with a research dissertation for a Masters degree, or graduates may embark directly on a full-scale dissertation for a Doctorate. Graduates will be able to benefit from St Andrews' expertise in language teaching, if this is required for their research.

 

What the Students Say

'This fascinating span of history ...';
'A good and enjoyable course'
(First Year Student)

'A small fun department';
'The course (Second level) combines detail with speed so that one doesn't stagnate on any particular topic.'
(Second Year Student).