MA in Archaeology, Biblical Studies and Ancient Cultures
ObjectivesFamiliarise students with essential primary and secondary source materials, and major issues within Biblical Studies and Archaeology, particularly relating to the history and culture of the eastern Mediterranean from the Iron Age through the Roman period. Allow students to strengthen their research or ancient language skills or to deepen their understanding of the fields of Archaeology or Biblical Studies, equipping them with the skills needed to pursue research at graduate level.
Entry requirementsEntry Requirements A 2.1 Honours degree or overseas equivalent in Archaeology, Sociology, Anthropology, Ancient History, Classics, Biblical Studies, Theology, or Religious Studies. International students must take a suitable language test, eg IELTS (minimum score 6.5) ot TOEFL (minimum score 575; computerised version 232
Academic titleMA in Archaeology, Biblical Studies and Ancient Cultures
Course descriptionMA in Archaeology, Biblical Studies and Ancient Cultures
This is a taught programme at the postgraduate level, a 12-month research-track MA degree for students who intend to pursue a MPhil/PhD degree but who need to strengthen their research or ancient language skills or need to deepen their understanding of the field of Archaeology or Biblical Studies. Normally, applicants will have earned a BA or BS degree in Archaeology, Sociology, Anthropology, Ancient History, Religious Studies or Biblical Studies and will have earned a grade point average of 1 (=A, 4.0 in US/Canada; High Distinction, 7 in Australia; 1 in New Zealand) or 2.1 (=B, 3.0 in US/Canada; Distinction, 6.0 or Outstanding, 6.5 in Australia; 2.1 in New Zealand).
The programme requires 180 credits of coursework to be completed within a 12-month period. Students will complete a mandatory methods seminar (30 credits), a dissertation workshop (10 credits), and will write a 60-credit dissertation on an approved topic of choice. They will also participate in 3 weeks of excavations if they have no prior field experience. They will select their remaining coursework from a range of options offered in the Departments of Archaeology and Biblical Studies.
Students can focus on ancient Levantine Iron Age cultures and the Hebrew Bible, on the New Testament and Greco-Roman cultures in the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean, or do work in both time periods and collections of biblical books. Ancient koine Greek, Latin, and Biblical Hebrew can be learned as well as German or Arabic, depending on one´s future research plans.
This MA programme is flexible and tailored to the individual needs of students, who will work out their course selections with the help of a supervisor from either the Department of Archaeology or the Department of Biblical Studies. Students who successfully complete it with a cumulative average of 60 (= B in the US/Canadian system; 6 in Australia; 2.1 in New Zealand) or above will be eligible to apply to do a joint MPhil/PhD research degree in Archaeology and Biblical Studies. Those who fail to complete the dissertation but who successfully pass 120 credits of coursework will be awarded a Diploma