Explore the rich legacy of Roman Europe
Year of entry: 2025 (September)
1 year full-time,
2 years part-time,
3 years part-time
September 2025 (semester dates)
Join us online on Tuesday 10 June to uncover what postgraduate study at York is all about.
Learn about the Roman past and use your skills in archaeology, science, digital archaeology, or heritage to help change how we look at the Roman world!
This course is meant for people looking to deepen their knowledge on the Roman past from a diverse and critical angle, or want to apply their skills in other fields to the context of the Roman world. You do not require a background in Roman studies, you need affiliation to the topic and enthusiasm to catch up on the latest debates and developments in the field.
We will discuss a range of exciting topics, work with objects, and uncover new fields of investigation, from new scientific and digital methods to discussions about cultural diversity, slavery, religion, or contemporary heritage. We will cover the entirety of the Empire and its interactions: from Egypt, the Levant, North Africa, to Europe and Britain. And York is one of the best places to go, as it was once the capital of Roman North Brittanica! There is much more to add to the knowledge and the ways we communicate Roman heritage.
Your project will add to an active field of study, will have practical components in material analysis, or can be done in collaboration with our many local heritage partners.
York is the UK's archaeological capital and we use it extensively as our ‘living lab’ for both teaching and research.
As well as your department's facilities you'll have access to the Grade II listed Heslington Hall, a hub with space for events and collaboration.
Ranked 6th overall for our research according to the Times Higher Education’s ranking of the latest REF results (2021).
You will study 180 credits over the duration of your course:
You will choose three option modules from examples including:
You'll also have the opportunity to choose options from our full module catalogue:
Some option modules combinations may not be possible. The option available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
You'll complete a 15,000-word dissertation and assessed lecture on your research.
We welcome every topic concerning the Roman past that a student wants to design into a research project. Dissertation topics on the following subjects fall within the range of expertise of the director of studies:
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
Demonstrate an applied, systematic, in-depth understanding of essential disciplinary knowledge of the field of Roman archaeology, and awareness of its breadth and its relevant academic, professional and socio-economic contexts.
Engage critically with current debates and advanced scholarship in local and international research and field practice in order to evaluate archaeological work on Roman Europe.
Inform decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations by assessing and applying advanced, professional-level theories and methodologies relating to Roman archaeology to diverse problems or forms of data.
Confidently synthesise research findings and key scholarly debates and communicate (through a variety of forms and media) to peers, public or professional audiences in such a way that demonstrates an ability to consider and adapt to their respective needs.
Demonstrate originality in rigorous and imaginative independent inquiry, using advanced research skills
In conjunction with archaeological data, critically assess the scholarship and evidence generated by other related disciplines - including anthropology, ancient history and art history - in order to shed light on themes and questions in Roman archaeology.
Apply theoretical interpretations and critical skills to the analysis of artefacts, landscapes and buildings in order to develop better understandings of Roman Europe
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (1 year) | £11,200 | £25,900 |
| Part-time (2 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. |
£5,600 | £12,950 |
| Part-time (3 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. |
£3,733 | £8,633 |
Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
For courses which are longer than one year, the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study.
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
We don't anticipate there being any additional fees associated with this course. All books and resources you need will be available in the library or online and it isn't mandatory that you buy your own copies. You may wish to set aside a small budget for photocopying, depending on how you like to work.
Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.
If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.
We are pleased to work with Chevening Scholars to offer funding for our Masters programmes. Chevening Scholarships provide one year of fully-funded postgraduate study in the UK for international (including EU) students. The scholarships are open to early and mid-career professionals who have the potential to become future leaders.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
You'll be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and site visits.
You will be based on Campus West and in King's Manor.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
You will be assessed by a variety of methods. Depending on which modules you opt to take, these could include:
Roman Europe is a defining archaeological period. With your knowledge and laboratory and/or field-based skills you will be well placed for a career in the archaeological and heritage sectors.
Your skills in analysis, communication and problem solving will be valuable across a range of career opportunities.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent in a relevant subject such as Archaeology, Anthropology, Classics, Classical Studies, History, Art History |
| Other qualifications and experience | If you don’t have conventional qualifications, but do have appropriate, relevant experience, you are encouraged to apply. We carefully consider each application on its merits. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, minimum of 6 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, minimum 126 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478-509, with 444-477 in all other components |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, minimum 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
We offer a range of campus accommodation to suit you and your budget, from economy to premium.
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