Archaeology of Ancient Civilisations
UCAS code V401
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Duration
- 3 years
- Start date and application deadlines
-
- Start date
About this course
If you are fascinated by the ancient civilisations of Egypt, the Mediterranean and the Near East, this programme allows you to study these civilisations with a unique range and depth. You will be introduced to the archaeology, culture, society and history of the key civilisations of Ancient Greece, Egypt, Rome and the Near East, combined with training in the latest archaeological techniques and methods.
Introduction
A rich variety of archaeological remains and literary sources reveals a world of poets, historians, artists, politicians, emperors, priests, administrators, slaves, soldiers, aristocrats and ordinary men and women. Understanding the ambitions, beliefs and lives of this world enriches our understanding of what it is to be human and the rise of our societies. Year one provides a broad introduction to archaeological methods and the archaeology and history of Egypt, Greece, Rome and the ancient Near East. In years two and three you study subjects central to our understanding of ancient civilisations, social and political organisation, art, religion and texts, combined with a detailed study of at least two civilisations (the Near East, Egypt, or Greece and Rome). This programme requires four weeks of archaeological experience spread over years one and two. Year one fieldwork consists of participation in the department field school. In year two, many students work on overseas research excavations, currently these are based in Greece, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Zambia as well as the UK.
What you'll learn
- Detailed knowledge of the practice and theory of archaeology as an approach to understanding past societies
- Knowledge of the history and culture of three Ancient Civilisations (Egypt, Greece and Rome, the Near East)
- An in-depth knowledge of the nature and development of the culture, society, history and religion of at least two interrelated Ancient Civilisations
- A practical knowledge of the techniques of archaeological excavation and recording
- Practical experience of the recovery of primary archaeological data
- Analysis and critical reflection on a range of archaeological data
- Theoretical concepts within Archaeology
Course content
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Year one
Year one provides a broad introduction to archaeological methods and the archaeology and history of Egypt, Greece, Rome and the ancient Near East.
Students take 45 credits of required modules and 15 credits of optional modules in each semester.
Modules
| Optional modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| WARFARE, POLITICS AND SOCIETY IN THE GREEK WORLD (CLAH104) | 15 |
| CLASSICAL GREEK LITERATURE AND CULTURE (CLAH115) | 15 |
| THE RISE OF ROME (CLAH105) | 15 |
| VISUAL CULTURE (CLAH114) | 15 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Year two
In year two you study subjects central to our understanding of ancient civilisations, social and political organisation, art, religion and texts, combined with a detailed study of at least two civilisations (the Near East, Egypt, or Greece and Rome).
Students take 15 credits of required modules and 45 credits of optional modules in each semester. Optional modules must be chosen from TWO pathways (1-3) across the session – 30 credits in each pathway. Students must then take 30 credits from any pathway (1-4) across the session.
Pathway 1 – Archaeology of the Near East
Pathway 2 – Archaeology of Ancient Greece and Rome
Pathway 3 – Egyptian Archaeology
Pathway 4 – Archaeological Methods and Practice
Students are required to complete 20 days of archaeological fieldwork training, normally during the summer vacation period at the end of Year 1 and Year 2. The fieldwork is assessed on ALGY248.
CLAH222 requires prior approval and is subject to a suitable placement being sourced. Students will not be able to register directly for this module.
Registration onto HLAC220 is only for students planning to undertake a Work Placement Year.
Students may take 15 credits of optional cognate modules outside of their degree programme with permission from the Subject Lead.
Modules
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| WORKING WITH THE PAST (ALGY248) | 15 |
| ARTEFACTS AND TECHNOLOGY (ALGY250) | 15 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Year three
Year three includes a required dissertation on a subject of your choice, and also gives you the opportunity to choose modules relating to two of the civilisations studied in year two (Near East, and/or Greece and/or Rome and/or Egypt).
Students take 30 credits of required modules in semester one and 15 credits of required modules in semester two. Students take 30 credits of optional modules in semester one and 45 credits of optional modules in semester two.
Optional modules must be chosen from TWO pathways (1-3) across the session – 30 credits in each pathway. Students must then take 30 credits from any pathway (1-4) across the session.
Pathway 1 – Archaeology of the Near East
Pathway 2 – Archaeology of Ancient Greece and Rome
Pathway 3 – Egyptian Archaeology
Pathway 4 – Archaeological Methods and Practice
ALGY450 is a ‘year-long’ module and represents 15 credits in each semester.
With the permission of the subject lead, it is also possible to choose 15 credits from those offered in year two so as to fit the themed pathway or support your dissertation.
Modules
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| ARCHAEOLOGY AND HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY: ETHICAL AND POLITICAL ISSUES (ALGY399) | 15 |
| DISSERTATION (ALGY450) | 30 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Teaching and assessment
How you'll learn
Modules are delivered by a mixture of lectures and seminars in year one, in year two the lecture element within modules is complemented by student led seminars. Finally, in year three, most modules are delivered by a short series of lectures with a focus on student-led seminars thereafter. Self-directed study is also expected through the course reading list and conducting research for your essays and projects. Academic staff area regularly available via their office hours for one-to-one feedback and support. Course material is available 24-hours a day on Canvas, our online learning platform, and study support is available from our dedicated student services team.
How you're assessed
Typical forms of assessment include:
- Exams – an examination may cover essay-based work or language work
- Essays or projects
- Portfolio submission – such as a critical reflection of seminars
- Presentations
- In-class tests and continuous assessment (primarily used for language modules)
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
- Digital fluency
- Confidence
- Global citizenship
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
- Research-connected teaching
- Active learning
- Authentic assessment
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
Entry requirements
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| A levels |
BBC |
| BTEC Level 3 national extended diploma |
DDM. |
| BTEC combinations |
BTEC National Diploma DM plus B at A level; BTEC National Extended Certificate M plus BB at A level |
| Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced |
C in the Welsh Baccalaureate, plus BB at A level |
| Access |
Pass relevant Access to HE Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits with 27 at Distinction and 18 at Merit |
Course options
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
Global opportunities
University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide. Choose to spend a year at XJTLU in China or a year or semester at an institution of your choice.
Year in China
Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.
- Learn Chinese
- Study in a bustling world heritage city
- Improve employment prospects
- Study Chinese culture
- 30 minutes from Shanghai
- Learn new skills
Year abroad
Broaden your world by spending an additional year of study at a partner university abroad following your second year of study.
- Choose from up-to 26 countries
- Experience another way of life
- Inspire your future career or studies
- Improved prospects of earning a 2:1 or First
- More likely to earn higher salary
- More likely to be employed after graduating
Where can I spend a year abroad on this course?
- Australia
- Canada
- Hong Kong
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- USA
Semester abroad
Take a semester of your second year of study at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
- Inspire your future career or studies
- Improved prospects of earning a 2:1 or First
- More likely to earn higher salary
- More likely to be employed after graduating
Summer abroad
Spend a summer abroad on a study placement or research project at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
- Spend a summer abroad in addition to your degree programme
- Study abroad without adding an extra year
- Choose any summer between your first and final year of study
- Get the chance to study subjects outside your discipline
Where can I spend a summer abroad on this course?
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- South Korea
Language study
Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:
- A dedicated languages degree
- A language as a joint or major/minor degree
- Language modules (selected degrees)
- Language classes alongside your studies
Your experience
The Department of Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology is part of the School of Histories, Languages and Cultures. Teaching takes place across campus, including in specialist facilities in the Central Teaching Hub.
Explore where you'll study
Virtual tour
Supporting your learning
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
- Careers and employability support, including help with career planning, understanding the job market and strengthening your networking skills
- A dedicated student services team can help you get assistance with your studies, help with health and wellbeing, and access to financial advice
- Confidential counselling and support to help students with personal problems affecting their studies and general wellbeing
- Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
Why Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology at University of Liverpool?
- Fantastic on-campus facilities such as the Garstang Museum with its outstanding archaeological collections and GIS suite for archaeological drawing
- Our extensive laboratories used for conservation, lithics, geomagnetism, stable isotope, trace elements, finds processing and sample preparation
- An enviable library which has been built up since the Ancient World and Archaeology has been studied at Liverpool since the 1880s
- Opportunities to learn ancient languages such as Greek, Latin, Akkadian, Sumerian, Egyptian and Coptic
- Archaeological projects based internationally, in Egypt, Greece, Bulgaria, Jordan, Turkey, Italy, Zambia, Kenya, Ethiopia and South Africa, as well as in the British Isles
My degree was key in helping me secure my first role in the sector. Once in the sector, it gave me the background knowledge to be able to deliver educational activities within the museum with confidence.
Chat with our students
Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
A day in the life of Historical and Classic Studies student Amy
Careers and employability
An Archaeology degree from Liverpool provides you with a rigorous training experience that produces graduates with an exceptional breadth of knowledge.
Our graduates are well-equipped for a wide variety of private or public sector careers, including in finance, journalism, teaching, law, the police or Civil Service, tourism, and heritage management where knowledge of archaeology is a specific advantage.
Past students have successfully gained employment in universities and major museums, locally, nationally, and internationally.
Recent employers include:
- The National Trust
- English Heritage
- Civil Service
- Archaeology South East