Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Archaeology
and Ancient History
WINNERS 2007-2013
www.le.ac.uk/ulmc/
www.le.ac.uk/archaeology
Contents
Why study archaeology and
ancient history by distance
learning at Leicester? .........................4
Which course
should you choose? ............................6
Your Learning Experience ..................7
Undergraduate Courses .....................9
BA (Hons) Ancient History
and Classical Archaeology..................9
BA (Hons) Archaeology ....................15
Postgraduate Courses.......................19
MA in Archaeology
and Heritage....................................19
MA in Historical Archaeology...........20
MA in The Classical
Mediterranean .................................21
PG Certificate ..................................23
PG Diploma .....................................23
Research ............................................24
PhD .................................................24
Entry requirements,
fees and how to apply .....................25
Richard III found under a car park in Leicester
How to apply
Yes it is difficult when you are working but well worth the effort. The staff
could not be more helpful totally geared up to help you in every way.
I really enjoyed the course and found it enormously helpful. The staff are
fantastic. Congratulations to you all for creating such a good course.
Excellent teaching
We have an excellent track record for student satisfaction.
Leicesters levels of student satisfaction have been
consistently in the top 10 since the annual National
Student Survey commenced in 2005. In 2011, the
Department of Archaeology and Ancient History was
rated 1st in the UK for student satisfaction.
The University has won consecutive Times Higher
Awards between 2007 and 2013, including recognition
for its Outstanding Library Team, Outstanding Student
Support, as well winning the prestigious University of
the Year title. Leicester is the only university to win six
consecutive awards.
Career Progression
Our courses have been designed to enable you to
develop your skills and knowledge, whether you wish to
study to enhance your career prospects, proceed to
further study, or for general interest. Our modules cross
the traditional academic boundaries of archaeology and
ancient history, enabling you to gain a wider knowledge
in your chosen area. There are opportunities for you to
develop and enhance your practical skills, and
employability skills are embedded throughout our
curriculum. Consequently, our courses are highly valued
by employers who will recognise the key transferable and
subject-specific skills gained. Our courses will enable you
to focus on your specific interest, and enable progression
in archaeology, ancient history, or elsewhere.
The Universitys Career Development Service offers a
comprehensive range of support to all students. See
www.le.ac.uk/careers
BA
Our BA (Bachelor of Arts) courses are undergraduate level courses. They will be suitable for you if you would like to
study for a recognised University qualification but do not have previous experience of higher education or formal
qualifications. You should consider taking one of our BA courses if you want an introduction to archaeology, or
archaeology and ancient history, and to develop and enhance your study skills.
MA
Our MA (Master of Arts) courses are postgraduate level courses. They will be suitable for you if you already have an
undergraduate degree or are already an archaeology professional with relevant skills and experience. You should
consider taking one of our MA courses if you want to enhance your existing knowledge of archaeology or study for an
advanced qualification.
PhD
Our PhD programme is the most advanced level of study that we offer. You should consider taking our PhD by distance
learning if you want to become a professional researcher in archaeology or ancient history, or if you want to
demonstrate that you have the full range of theoretical and practical skills at the highest levels.
For more information about the specific entry requirements for each course, see page 26.
Short Courses
Perhaps you dont want a formal
qualification, but would just like to study
archaeology or ancient history for interest.
It is possible to study up to two
undergraduate level 1 modules without
registering for a formal qualification; or up
to two level 2 modules if you already have
120 credits in archaeology or a cognate
subject at level 1. Successful completion
of an associate module will entitle you to
a transcript formally recording your
achievement and you may be able to
count the credits achieved on that module
towards further undergraduate study at
Leicester or elsewhere at a later date.
For details of the associate modules
available for study please see pages
10-14 and 16-18.
Accelerated Study
Course Structure
Undergraduate Courses
6 years part-time
BA Ancient History and Classical Archaeology
BA Archaeology
Postgraduate Courses
2 years part-time / 1 year full-time
MA Archaeology and Heritage
MA Historical Archaeology
MA The Classical Mediterranean
Doctoral research
5 years part-time
PhD in Archaeology
PhD in Ancient History
Study Materials
Study Support
You will have access to the Universitys award-winning DavidWilson Library. We invest over 6m a year in library
resources. The Librarys comprehensive online catalogue
comprises thousands of electronic journals and 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.
Study Time
If you are studying on one of our undergraduate
programmes you should plan to set aside 150 hours per
12-week module (about 12 hours per week). The dissertation
is a double module.
If you are studying on one of our postgraduate programmes
you should plan to set aside 300 hours per 15-week module
(about 20 hours per week). The dissertation is a double or
triple module depending on which course structure you are
following.
In practice, however, most students find that the amount of
time spent studying can vary slightly from module to module,
and of course also depends on your own academic
background and personal study habits.
Assessments
Modules are assessed by written coursework, usually in the
form of essays or reports. There are no examinations. You
will be provided with detailed written feedback on each
piece of work that you submit for assessment. This allows
you to see your progress, understand your strengths and
identify areas for improvement. Throughout your studies
academics will be on hand to provide tutorial support via
email or telephone and to give help and support when
required. We also provide written study skills guidance on
how to produce assignments.
The final piece of assessment for BA and MA students is the
dissertation. This is an original piece of research on a topic of
Visiting Leicester
As a University of Leicester student you are entitled to visit
the campus at any time and to make use of the facilities,
although if you wish to see particular members of staff you
would be encouraged to make arrangements for this in
advance. In addition, we run various field schools and
laboratory weeks which take place on campus and in the
surrounding Leicestershire area. Visiting Leicester in this way
is optional for some courses and compulsory for others. For
more details see the individual course pages.
Finally, students who successfully complete their BAs or MAs
will be invited to attend a formal graduation ceremony in
Leicester many of our students take this opportunity and
bring their families along too so that they can see at firsthand the University that they belong to.
Computer Access
In order to get the most from your learning experience, you
will need easy and regular access to a computer and the
internet, so that you can access Blackboard and library
facilities, view the websites referred to in your study
materials, and write and submit your coursework.
Undergraduate Courses
Course Structure
Level 1 (part-time years 1 and 2)
BA
If you know from the outset that you cant or dont want to
commit to a full BA, you can apply for level 1 (Certificate) or
levels 1 and 2 (Diploma) only. Similarly, if for any reason you are
unable to complete the full BA programme, you can opt to
leave at the end of each level. Successful completion of level 1
entitles you to a Certificate or successful completion of levels 1
and 2 entitles you to a Diploma.
Special features
10
Level Two
Archaeological Theory core module
How we think about people, societies, material culture and
of course archaeology itself is all shaped by our theoretical
approach, whether we think we have one or not. In this
module we work through a whole range of different
theories such as postmodernism, dualisms, and
postprocessualism, as well as looking at the ways in which
archaeology draws on different issues such as identity,
globalisation, and representation in order to analyse and
understand more about people in the past.
11
12
13
Level Three
Archaeology of Urbanism core module
Archaeology is well placed to provide a lot of information
about towns and cities. The study of buildings and material
culture can address not only the urban physical form in the
past, and the ways in which this changed and developed, but
also evidence for elites and the poor in towns and cities, trade
and traders, religion in urban areas, and in particular dedicated
sacred cities. The archaeology of urban areas is explored not
only to understand the physical evidence for towns and cities
themselves, but also to learn about how people would have
lived and interacted within them.
Archaeology, Religion and Belief core module
Religion, belief and ritual have been important to humans for
many millennia, yet such things are very difficult to understand
from the archaeological record. What we mean by religion and
ideology is discussed, and this is followed by a consideration
of the different ways in which they have been identified and
studied in archaeology. Examples of interpretations of rock art
as a religious expression are analysed, along with a whole
range of other case studies, such as the importance of places
and spaces in religious practice.
14
BA (Hons) Archaeology
15
Course Structure
Early Prehistory
Later Prehistory
Introduction to Classical Archaeology
Medieval Archaeology
Historical (Post-medieval and Industrial) Archaeology
The Archaeology of Egypt, Nubia and the Middle Nile
Level 2 (part-time years 3 and 4)
* Archaeological Theory CORE MODULE
Special features
The compulsory level 2 Fieldschool module gives you the
opportunity to get practical, hands-on experience in a number
of aspects of survey and excavation. You can participate in the
fieldschool that we organise each year at Bradgate Park in
Leicestershire, or opt to make your own fieldwork
arrangements (as long as we have given prior approval).
The compulsory level 3 Archaeological Practice module
requires attendance at a week-long practical laboratorybased session in the School of Archaeology and Ancient
History at the University of Leicester. This session is held in
May or September of year 5 or 6.
In addition to the compulsory Fieldschool module, all BA
Archaeology students are required to have carried out
another four weeks of non-assessed fieldwork before they
can graduate. This field experience can be gained at any
approved field project, anywhere in the world.
16
BA (Hons) Archaeology
Level One
Aims and Methods in Archaeology core module
This module provides an introduction to key ideas and
issues, including a discussion of what archaeology actually
is, and what archaeologists actually do. How do
archaeologists find sites, and how do they get information
from sites? How do archaeologists work out the date of a
site? What are the common artefacts found on
archaeological sites, and how are they analysed? These are
the sorts of things we cover in this module, which provides
a good foundation for moving on to the other modules at
level 1 and beyond.
Then choose FIVE out of the following SIX modules.
Early Prehistory
Prehistory the study of humans before the widespread use
of the written word is generally broken down into early
prehistory and later prehistory. Early prehistory covers the
development of modern humans by looking at the latest finds
and methods in human evolution. This includes the
application of DNA analysis and the study of the bones of
human ancestors. The ways in which hunter-gatherer groups
lived are explored, bearing in mind that hunting and
gathering were the ways in which people obtained food for
many thousands of years far longer than being settled
farmers. This then leads on to the emergence and spread of
farming, which is possibly one of the most important
developments in prehistory.
Later Prehistory
This second module dealing with the prehistoric world
explores the rise of metallurgy the production of copper,
bronze and iron objects and how this changed the way
people carried out trade and their connections across wide
areas. This is the time when the first complex state societies
emerged, and the first urbanised societies are evident in the
archaeological record. Early states in Mesopotamia (now Iraq),
the Indus (modern Pakistan and north-western India), China,
and Egypt are reviewed, along with later prehistory in the
Americas and south-east Asia.
Introduction to Classical Archaeology
The archaeology of Ancient Greece begins by looking at what
is often called the Dark Age or Archaic period, from 1000479 BC, and continues into Classical Greece (the fifth and
fourth centuries BC or approximately 479-300 BC) up to
Alexander the Great. This allows us to understand how such
Level 2
Archaeological Theory core module
How we think about people, societies, material culture and of
course archaeology itself is all shaped by our theoretical
approach, whether we think we have one or not. In this
module we work through a whole range of different theories
such as postmodernism, dualisms, and postprocessualism, as
well as looking at the ways in which archaeology draws on
different issues such as identity, globalisation, and
representation in order to analyse and understand more about
people in the past.
Fieldschool core module
This module consists of at least one weeks practical work on a
current research project, plus linked readings and assessment.
The School currently runs two research fieldprojects (one local to
Leicestershire, see our website for current details, and Mohegan
Fieldschool, Connecticut, USA), but we are also happy to accept
fieldwork experience from elsewhere for credits, as long as we
have given prior approval. The fieldwork week usually includes
not only supervised experience in a number of aspects of survey
and/or excavations, but also seminars and introductions to the
particular projects research aims. We also set formal assessment
for this module, whether students attend our fieldschools or
approved fieldschools elsewhere.
* While Fieldschool is a core module for the BA in Archaeology,
we recognise that timing needs to be flexible so you can decide
which year to do it in (if part-time) and at which point in the
year if you are attending a non-Leicester Fieldschool.
Interpreting Archaeological Evidence core module
Archaeological fieldwork generally gives archaeologists a lot of
things that are the result of past human activity. These things
might include pottery, stone tools, human bones, animal
bones, and metals, and it is important to remember that
things alone do not tell us anything it is how we analyse
and interpret them once discovered that is important. This
17
18
Level 3
Archaeology of Urbanism core module
Archaeology is well placed to provide a lot of information
about towns and cities. The study of buildings and
material culture can address not only the urban physical
form in the past, and the ways in which this changed and
developed, but also evidence for elites and the poor in
towns and cities, trade and traders, religion in urban areas,
and in particular dedicated sacred cities. The archaeology
of urban areas is explored not only to understand the
physical evidence for towns and cities themselves, but also
to learn about how people would have lived and
interacted within them.
Archaeology, Religion and Belief core module
Religion, belief and ritual have been important to humans
for many millennia, yet such things are very difficult to
understand from the archaeological record. What we mean
by religion and ideology is discussed, and this is followed
by a consideration of the different ways in which they have
been identified and studied in archaeology. Examples of
interpretations of rock art as a religious expression are
analysed, along with a whole range of other case studies,
such as the importance of places and spaces in religious
practice.
Archaeological Practice core module
This module requires compulsory attendance at a week long
practical laboratory based session in the School of
Archaeology and Ancient History at the University of
Leicester. This module is run only twice a year: firstly, with
the laboratory session held in May, which means that there is
no gap between completing the previous module (which
should have started in February) and starting this one; and
secondly with the laboratory session held in September,
which means there is no gap between completing the
previous module (which should have started in June) and
starting this one. However, you will have a longer period
than usual in your module timetable after the laboratory
based week before starting your next module.
The module usually covers four different archaeological
materials or data gathering methods, and these may
include: animal bones, human bones, geophysical survey,
aDNA, lithics, and pottery not all of these will be offered
in each week in every year, and you will need to talk to us
to find out which materials and approaches will be running.
It is not possible to substitute this module with work at
another institution.
19
Postgraduate Courses
MA
Our MA (Master of Arts) courses are postgraduate level courses. They will be suitable for you if you already have an
undergraduate degree or are already an archaeology professional with relevant skills and experience. You should
consider taking one of our MA courses if you want to enhance your existing knowledge of archaeology or study for an
advanced qualification.
Course Structure
Critical Approaches to the Archaeological Heritage
Archaeology of Standing Buildings
Landscape Archaeology
Dissertation
Special features
Modules
Critical Approaches to the Archaeological Heritage
This module examines the ways in which archaeological sites
and landscapes are presented to the public and the ethical and
political issues surrounding preservation, conservation or
restoration. Case studies are taken from around the world and
you will be asked to take a critical look at archaeological,
museum or heritage sites of your choice.
Archaeology of Standing Buildings
This module provides you with an archaeological
understanding of building construction and evolution and the
ability to recognise different building materials and to
determine the different functions of buildings. Students are
introduced to analytical and survey skills and to more
sophisticated methods of investigation. You will be
encouraged to investigate buildings in your own locality and
to produce a detailed survey and report on one such building
as part of your coursework.
20
Landscape Archaeology
This module introduces the theoretical issues underpinning
landscape archaeology, and the range of techniques in the
human and natural sciences that can be combined in the
broad field of landscape studies. Students learn to assess the
different strengths and weaknesses of these techniques and
their appropriate application within problem solving research
and professional practice.
Course Structure
The Archaeology of the Modern World
Doing Historical Archaeology
AND two modules from the following:
Archaeology of Standing Buildings
Critical Approaches to the Archaeological Heritage
Dissertation
The Historical Archaeology of England (study tour)
You will be required to submit a dissertation of 15,000 words
on an approved topic relating to some aspect of one or more
of the modules. The title and content of the dissertation will
be discussed and agreed with a supervisor and you will receive
direct and one-to-one supervision throughout the period of
your research.
PLUS
Dissertation (15,000 words)
Alternatively, the following course structure may be
followed:
Both compulsory core modules
MA in Historical Archaeology
Duration: 2 years part-time, 1 year full-time
Start dates: February, June, October
Special features
This course draws on the strength of our staff working in
later historical periods within both Europe and North
America the largest concentration of later historical
archaeologists in any UK university
The optional Historical Archaeology of England module
comprises a study tour in and around Leicestershire and the
Midlands region of England during the spring
Students may opt to do an extended dissertation of
20,000 words (90 credits) and three taught modules,
instead of four taught modules and a standard
dissertation. Progress to all dissertations is subject to
successful completion of taught modules. Students
interested in taking a 90 credit dissertation are encouraged
to discuss this with the MA Directors.
Modules
Doing Historical Archaeology
Some of the major theoretical and philosophical issues
involved in historical archaeology are explored. Through wide
ranging case studies, the political and social contexts of
archaeological research and its effects in the contemporary
world are examined. The second part of the module
introduces students to the most common kinds of evidence
used by historical archaeologists, whatever period and place
they are studying.
21
Dissertation
You will be required to submit a dissertation of 15,000 words on
an approved topic relating to some aspect of one or more of the
modules. The title and content of the dissertation will be
discussed and agreed with a supervisor and you will receive direct
and one-to-one supervision throughout the period of your
research. For students aiming at progress towards a research
degree, it is also possible to take a 20,000 word dissertation
worth 90 credits. This would mean studying only three of the four
taught modules and would have to be approved by us in advance.
22
Course Structure
Classical Landscapes
PLUS
Dissertation (15,000 words)
Alternatively, the following course structure may be
followed:
Both compulsory core modules
One option module
Special features
This course draws on staff expertise and specialisms which
are exceptional in Britain, ranging across the classical world.
Our expertise extends fully to include southern Gaul, the
central Mediterranean, North Africa, the Aegean, Anatolia
and Syria, offering students a coherent perspective of the
whole Mediterranean.
The Study Tour in the Mediterranean optional module offers
students the opportunity to have a short period of intensive
study in the Mediterranean, working closely with University
of Leicester staff and engaging directly with classical sites,
monuments and objects.
Students may opt to do an extended dissertation of 20,000
words (90 credits) and three taught modules, instead of four
taught modules and a standard dissertation. Progress to all
dissertations is subject to successful completion of taught
modules. Students interested in taking a 90 credit dissertation
are encouraged to discuss this with the MA Directors.
Modules
Classical Landscapes
This module explores the nature and scope of the various sources
of evidence, textual and archaeological, for the study of classical
landscapes and the social use of space. Divided into four sections,
the module covers both urban and rural landscapes, as well as
investigating the social significance of space and place, and the
economic, political and cultic functions of landscape.
23
Postgraduate Certificate
Any two taught modules of your choice from the full range of
postgraduate modules (excluding the dissertation) can count
towards a Postgraduate Certificate in Archaeology.
Alternatively, you can choose to take two modules from the
Archaeology and Heritage course for a Postgraduate
Certificate in Archaeology and Heritage; or two from the
Historical Archaeology course for a Postgraduate Certificate in
Historical Archaeology; or two from the Classical
Mediterranean course for a Postgraduate Certificate in The
Classical Mediterranean.
Another option is to study a specific topic for a named award,
by combining one of the taught modules with a minidissertation related to your subject. For example, completing
the Landscape Archaeology module plus a mini-dissertation
would lead to a Postgraduate Certificate in Landscape
Archaeology. The mini-dissertation is 7,500 words and the title
and content need to be discussed and agreed in advance with
a supervisor. Please note that credits obtained by doing a minidissertation could not be counted towards an MA if you later
chose to continue on, although you could expand the topic
appropriately into a 60 credit dissertation.
Mini-Dissertation
If you want to obtain a Postgraduate Certificate in a named
subject, you will need to complete the relevant taught module
and a mini dissertation on the same topic. For example, if you
want a Postgraduate Certificate in Landscape Archaeology, you
need to complete the taught Landscape Archaeology module,
plus a mini dissertation. The mini dissertation is 7,500 words,
and the title and content of the mini dissertation need to be
discussed and agreed in advance with a supervisor.
Postgraduate Diploma
In order to obtain a Postgraduate Diploma, you must
successfully complete four taught modules (excluding the
dissertation) from one of the MA courses. Like the
Postgraduate Certificate, the Postgraduate Diploma can be
used as a stepping-stone towards a future MA.
24
Research
PhD
Our PhD programme is the most advanced level of study that we offer. You should consider taking our PhD by distance
learning if you want to become a professional researcher in archaeology or ancient history, or if you want to
demonstrate that you have the full range of theoretical and practical skills at the highest levels.
PhD
The distance learning route to a PhD is suitable for those
with a developed career or other commitments who can't
afford to give up the day job! There is absolutely no
difference in examination procedures or standards
expected for PhDs gained by distance learning or oncampus. Even as a part-time qualification, however, a PhD
is a large and long-term commitment lasting several years
and requiring a substantial financial commitment.
However, we are committed to supporting you through
your research. We have been running PhDs by distance
learning since 2001. At any one time we have at least 20
students undertaking research degrees by distance
learning, in addition to more than 100 other
postgraduate students studying taught degrees by
distance learning.
Course structure
Supervision
Further information
For further information please contact:
School of Archaeology and Ancient History,
University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
T: +44 (0)116 252 2611
E: arch-research@le.ac.uk
25
How to apply
The quickest and easiest way to apply is online via
www2.le.ac.uk/study/ways/distance/courses, but you can
apply by telephone or by post if you prefer.
For all courses, we will require
A completed application form
Proof of English language competence, if applicable
For postgraduate courses, we will also require
26
Fee status
Home/EU
BA fees
16770
UG Certificate
UG Short Course
5590
932
4472
746
11180
Overseas
Fees after 20% early payment discount deducted
13416
8944
Postgraduate fees
Start dates
February 2015
June 2015
Fee status
MA fees
PG Diploma fees
PG Certificate
Home/EU
8025
5345
2670
Overseas
9220
6140
3070
PhD fees
Start dates
Fee status
PhD fees
January 2015
July 2015
Home/EU
Overseas
The fees quoted in this table cover the whole course and are charged depending on
where you are based when you start your studies, regardless of your nationality. The
course fees include all study materials, tutor support and assessments. Our fees are
reviewed annually and you are advised to check our website before completing your
application form for the most up-to-date information about fees and fee payments.
20% Discount
Payment options
The full course fee up-front when you register for the course
Scholarships
There may be scholarships for our courses that offer a
contribution towards fees. Please check our website for current
information.
27
Contact Details:
The Distance Learning Team (arts and humanities subjects)
University of Leicester, University Road
Leicester, LE1 7RH, United Kingdom
t: +44 (0)116 252 2903 / 5365 / 3783
e: Arts.HumsDL@le.ac.uk
w: www.le.ac.uk/archaeology
www.le.ac.uk
8105_12/14
University of Leicester
Leicester LE1 7RH
UK