Ancient History & Archaeology

In the first two years of your degree (known as sub-honours), archaeology is taught in two ways: as an integral part of understanding ancient societies, in modules shared with the ancient history programme, and in a specialised module that introduces the key archaeological concepts, methodologies and techniques.  

Course information may change. Module information and course content, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at the University of St Andrews. We display the most up-to-date information possible, but this could be from a previous academic year. For the latest module information, see the module catalogue.

• First year

  Students will take the following compulsory first-year modules: 

  • Ancient Empires: explores how imperial states built and maintained their power; the experiences of other populations and cultures that were conquered or incorporated into ancient empires; and the contested legacies of imperial states, both in antiquity and today.
  • Cities and Communities in the Ancient Mediterranean: explores urbanisation by examining changing physical as well as social relations between people, as well as between people and their environments. We will study the rise and fall of the ancient city, including its ecology and domestic politics, and modern debates over ancient urbanism.

• Second year

  You will take the following second-year ancient history modules, but may take second-year Classical Studies modules instead: 

  • Ancient Societies: Gender, Ethnicity, and Inequality in the Ancient World: surveys the fundamental divisions that gave shape to ancient social life, examining issues like gender, inequality, and ethnic identity through a broad range of sources and methodologies.
  • Narratives of Antiquity: examines influential narratives from the ancient world and their reinterpretations in later periods, from the nineteenth century to the present day, and how they continue to shape the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves for better or for worse.

  You can also take this interdisciplinary second-year module: 

  • Introduction to Archaeology: provides a grounding in the main concepts, methodologies, and techniques of investigating the past through material evidence and physical environments. Topics will include methods of identifying and investigating archaeological sites and materials, and how archaeologists and cultural heritage practitioners disseminate, preserve, and curate the past for professional and public audiences.