Course summary

You study topics as diverse as Bronze Age civilisations; Classical Rome; the Anglo-Saxon era; Vikings, Normans and Charlemagne’s Empire; the Crusades; the Age of Discovery; and Late Medieval England and France. The programme trains you in the disciplines of both archaeology and history, enabling you to pursue careers in either subject. Modules in the first full academic year provide a sound understanding of each discipline, the methodology of each subject and its applications. Analysis of documentary or excavated evidence helps to promote a good grasp of archaeological techniques, historical approaches, chronological time periods and, in particular, the importance of teamwork, personal research and presentation skills. The next academic year is more wide-ranging, offering a series of optional modules where you can select to study a variety of diverse topics or choose a focused selection of modules that follow a particular theme. Study throughout this time aims to hone your skills in presentation and fieldwork. In the final academic year, you select a limited number of topics at a more concentrated and advanced level and typically study through extensive use of primary source material, applying all you have mastered in the dissertation. If you are interested in the archaeological dimension of the programme, you can opt to attend the summer training excavation for two weeks during the first summer vacation and should ensure that you have accommodation available during late May and June.