The Classical Mediterranean MA, PGDip, PGCert, by distance learning

As a period of cultural history, the scope and influence of the classical age are staggering. In this degree, you’ll study the history and archaeology of the time, as well as the role classical antiquity plays in the modern world.

This postgraduate degree provides an exciting and challenging forum for you to explore the archaeology and history of the Classical Mediterranean world. You will study and interpret evidence from the Mediterranean to gain a deeper understanding of the societies and economies that shaped classical antiquity.

Our course questions the ways in which the classical past may be reconstructed and will equip you with the analytical skills to identify the debates surrounding textual and material sources and encourage you to interrogate current perceptions of Greek and Roman societies.

During the course, you will learn to engage more critically with archaeological issues and debates, developing skills in the analysis and evaluation of data of many kinds and from many sources. We seek to equip you with a broad critical understanding of both the potential and the limitations of different forms of archaeological evidence and develop your ability to present and use your sources effectively.

You will be taught by staff with an impressive range of expertise and specialisms that are exceptional in Britain. With many ancient historians as well as classical archaeologists among our staff we are uniquely placed to explore this material and our expertise extends geographically from southern Gaul to North Africa and Syria. You can opt to take our Study Tour in the Mediterranean module which is a one-week research tour, offering you the chance to meet our expert staff face-to-face.

This Classical Mediterranean MA is ideal if you are seeking to become a researcher in Archaeology or Ancient History, or if you want to enhance your professional career in archaeology, classical studies, museum or related contexts, as well as for existing professionals in heritage or related fields who have a particular interest in this area.

Most distance learning courses are part-time. However, this MA can be taken full-time in just one year.

What's the difference?

For the MA you need to complete four modules and a dissertation (or three modules and an extended dissertation). For the Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) you need to complete four modules. For the Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) you need to complete two modules. The PGDip and PGCert are not available full-time.

Why Leicester?

Archaeology and Ancient History at Leicester is ranked in the top 100 in the world by the QS University Rankings. Our academic staff are active in research on every continent, with research interests from early prehistory to the recent past.

Our courses cross the traditional academic boundary of archaeology and ancient history, letting you gain a wider knowledge in your chosen area.

Our staff are active in research on all continents while many work closely with UK contract archaeology and the heritage sector not least through their work with ULAS (University of Leicester Archaeological Services).

Our teaching staff have a wide range of expertise in classical archaeology and ancient history and many are world-leading researchers in this area.

Teaching and learning

Teaching

All of your modules (except the Study Tour) are delivered by distance learning. Our courses will give you the flexibility to study from any location within a structured and supportive framework. You will receive excellent support from our expert archaeology and ancient history academics and professionals. We understand you are combining study with external commitments and you can defer your studies if necessary.

Each module consists of specially prepared self-study materials, which are made available online through Blackboard, our virtual learning environment, and supplemented by our Library's book-loans-by-post service.

During the course, you will be allocated an academic tutor for each module and you will receive one-to-one supervision throughout your course.

On the MA you will have the option of participating in a study tour in the Mediterranean, either as an assessed or non-assessed module. The study tour will take place over a period of ten days, and involves visiting a range of classical sites, monuments and museums. If you take the tour as an assessed module you will be expected to prepare coursework based on activities you do on the tour. Previous tour locations have included Rome, Athens and Attica; and Istanbul and western Turkey.

Assessment

Each of the modules you choose will be assessed using at least two written assignments. You will be provided with detailed written feedback on each piece of work that you submit for assessment. All of your assignments will be assessed by two markers who are academics or professional archaeologists.

Distance Learning

Online learning is an important feature of this course, therefore it is essential that you have reliable, regular access to the internet (preferably with a broadband connection) in order to participate.

As a distance learning student, you will have access to the University Library's electronic service, the Leicester Digital Library, which includes a large number of e-journals and e-books. You are also welcome to join campus-based activities (by prior arrangement) at any time.

If you live close to Leicester you can, of course, visit the Library in person. For UK-based students who wish to use other libraries, we can issue you with a card which allows you to do so. This is a national scheme which allows distance learning students to borrow material from up to three other participating libraries.

Powered by world-class research, the University of Leicester delivers research-inspired education across the Sciences, Humanities, Law, Medicine, the Arts and Business, with staff and students collaborating to create, share and apply knowledge to change the world. It is a world-leading, diverse and inclusive university based in the UK’s most multicultural city.

Whether you choose to study full-time on campus, or part-time via distance learning, through your studies and independent research you will acquire the advanced skills and knowledge to pursue your passion and enhance your career options.

The University of Leicester is a top 30 UK university (Complete University Guide 2023) and is proud to be one of the world’s leading research-intensive universities. Our research changes the way we think about the past, present and future. As a discovery-led University, we are elite in the excellence of our research, as well as being focused on innovation. Research underpins all of our taught postgraduate courses so you can be sure that the knowledge you’re learning, and skills you’re developing, are at the forefront of available knowledge.

Why Leicester

The University of Leicester is a leading research and teaching university with more than 30 years of experience offering high-quality distance learning courses. Over 25,000 Citizens of Change have graduated from our distance learning courses. We invite you to be the next one.

Unlike some distance learning providers, our distance learning courses are taught by the same academic staff who teach our undergraduates and postgraduates on campus. You are assured of a real university education and a real university qualification.

Each of our distance learning courses is tailored to the subject, level and requirements of our students. Some courses even include residential visits or workshops.

Supporting our students

As a Leicester distance learning student, you have full access to the same student support services as our on-campus students. This includes the Students’ Union which has a dedicated Distance Learning Officer who makes sure that your views and needs are considered in Union affairs. The Distance Learning Officer is elected each year – maybe you could be the next one?

Library

You will have access to the Library’s comprehensive online catalogue containing thousands of electronic journals and over 350,000 books. This includes the Leicester Research Archive, a digital collection of research papers and theses from members of the University.

As a Leicester student, you will be able to access the online catalogue and download these resources free of charge - wherever you are in the world. You are, of course, welcome to come onto campus and use our Library facilities at any time.

Career Development Service

For most distance-learning students, career advancement is a prime motivating factor. Our Career Development Service will offer you guidance and support throughout your studies – and beyond. The Career Development Service offers:

• Online tools and individually tailored advice to help you extend and develop your academic skills
• Employability programmes and awards including the online version of our Leicester Award
• A wide selection of one-to-one careers consultations, workshops and webinars covering interview and assessment centre skills, psychometric testing and CVs, covering letters and application forms
• Links with employers to discover the career paths that are open to you

Graduation – and beyond

As a distance learning student, you are welcome to campus at any time. We would love to meet you in person, though obviously, this is dependent on where you live. It is particularly gratifying when distance learning students are able to visit campus to take part in our graduation ceremonies, celebrating their academic achievement in the best way possible.

As part of our global alumni family, you can maintain links with the University through our Alumni Association, which has chapters around the world.