Mediaeval History and Archaeology

As an alternative to a degree in Mediaeval History, students with a particular interest in archaeology may choose to take a single honours degree in Mediaeval History and Archaeology. This will allow you to concentrate to a greater extent on the physical remains of past societies, whether in Europe or the Middle East, such as castles, monasteries, palaces and graves as well as humbler structures such as deserted villages and earthworks. No prior knowledge of archaeology is required, but all students who opt for this degree will take a Core Course on Principles and Techniques in Archaeology, usually in their third year.

You qualify for this degree during the first two years by taking the same courses as you would to qualify for a degree in Mediaeval History, and many of the courses which you take in your third and fourth years will be the same as those taken by single honours Mediaeval History students. However, roughly half of your courses in your third and fourth years will have a specifically archaeological focus, and in your final year you will be asked to write a dissertation which includes a significant archaeological element.

The Mediaeval History and Archaeology degree is partly taught by members of the School of Classics at St Andrews, which offers students the chance of taking courses which concentrate on Greek and Roman history and archaeology, thus making it possible to study the physical remains of past societies over an extended timespan.