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Archaeology and Ancient History at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 20262026 - 2027
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Course summary

Combining the study of ancient history with the theory and practice of archaeology, this interdisciplinary programme offers the opportunity to explore the ancient civilisations of the Mediterranean with a particular emphasis on Greece and Rome. You will gain the historiographic and archaeological skills required to understand past societies, including:

  • the analysis of literary sources
  • understanding of ancient buildings and forensic evidence
  • learning ancient and modern languages
Learn about societies and civilisations The rich body of literary and documentary texts that survive from ancient Greece and Rome provide fascinating insights into their culture and society. Archaeology investigates the human past using material remains such as artefacts and excavated sites to reconstruct the life of early societies, including:
  • economic life
  • social life
  • cultural life
Teaching and research expertise At Edinburgh, we have a rich tradition of archaeological teaching and research. Our specialisms include:
  • European prehistory
  • the early civilisations of the Mediterranean
  • the Near East and Egypt
You will be introduced to standard and innovative archaeological techniques and the practice and theory of archaeology, including:
  • science-based archaeology
  • animal and human bones
  • digital applications
Practical skills We emphasise the importance of training in practical archaeological skills. You will have an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in artefact identification and analysis in practical sessions using artefacts from our own Vere Gordon Childe collection. Fieldwork You will complete three weeks of archaeological fieldwork at the end of Year 1. In later years of study, you will also have the option to do:
  • further fieldwork
  • projects in heritage management and public engagement
  • lab-based analysis of archaeological remains
Programme benefits
  • Combine the study of ancient historical sources with the practice of archaeology.
  • Develop historiographic and archaeological skills to understand past societies.
  • Complete archaeological fieldwork in the UK or abroad.
  • Gain hands-on experience with the Vere Gordon Childe collection, learning artefact identification and analysis.
  • Visit the National Museum of Scotland for classes and field trips.

How to apply

14Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
VV1A
Institution code:
E56
Campus name:
Central area campus
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Standard Qualification Requirements

Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply. You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference.

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/648-archaeology-and-ancient-history

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Please click the following link to find out more about minimum qualification requirements for this course

https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/648-archaeology-and-ancient-history

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
TOEFL (iBT)92total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
Cambridge English Advancedtotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Cambridge English Proficiencytotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Trinity ISEISE II with distinctions in all four components.

You must prove that you can read, write, listen and speak in the English language at a level that will allow you to succeed in your studies. This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals. You can meet our English language requirements with qualifications from school or an English language test. We accept any of the following, at the specified grade or higher: SQA National 5: English at C; GCSE: English at C or 4; Level 2 Certificate: English at C; International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard Level: English at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry). Before you apply, check the required subjects for this programme, as you may need a higher English grade to meet the academic requirements. We also accept other qualifications from around the world. If you don’t have school qualifications that meet our requirements, we accept any of the English language tests, at the specified grade or higher, as detailed above. Qualifications from the following English language tests must be no more than two years old from the start date of your programme, regardless of your nationality: IELTS, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT. All other types of English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of your programme. If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country or region, as defined by UKVI, there is no time limit on how old these other types of English language qualifications can be.

Full details of our English language requirements can be found on our website:

https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry-requirements/english-language

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
60%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
80%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Channel Islands £9535* Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9535* Year 1
Scotland £1820* Year 1
England £9535* Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535* Year 1
Wales £9535* Year 1
EU £29600 Year 1
International £29600 Year 1

*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Scotland - Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees. Please note the 2026-27 fee rate is yet to be confirmed by the Scottish Government. England/Wales/Northern Ireland - The Rest of UK (RUK) rate is yet to be confirmed. The fee for 2025 entry was £9,535. For 2026 entry this may increase in line with inflation and will be subject to government limits. EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees. Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme
Archaeology and Ancient History at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS