Classical Art & Archaeology MA at Kings College London

Overview

Study Greek and Roman art and archaeology at one of the largest Classics departments in the UK.  Our course is intercollegiate with options taught at King’s, UCL and Royal Holloway, giving you a wide range of topics to choose from as well as being able to take advantage of our close links to the Institute of Classical Studies, one of the UK’s best Classical libraries.

On the course you will have the unique opportunity to acquire technical skills provided by optional modules in papyrology, epigraphy and palaeography.

Students on the course have gone on to careers in education, journalism, finance, politics and cultural sectors amongst others. 

Key benefits

• Study in one of the UK’s largest and oldest departments of Classics. Classics has been taught on the Strand for over 200 years.
• Unrivalled location for the study of the ancient world thanks to London’s unique range of specialist libraries, museums and galleries.
• Extraordinarily wide choice of modules, drawing on the resources of the whole of the University of London.
• King’s graduates enjoy one of the best employment rates in the UK. King’s was ranked 4th in the UK for graduate employability (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2018).

Description

Through this Classical Art & Archaeology MA you will examine painting, pottery, sculpture and mosaics, and explore the craftsmanship that produced archeologically significant works. Traditionally, classical archaeology has focused on the art history of Classical Greece and Italy, but has more recently branched out geographically and chronologically. Archaeology has also become more theoretical in recent decades.

This course explores the relationship between humans and their material environment. We consider engagement in field projects as essential for the continuing health of the discipline. All trends are well represented here at King’s.

Our expert staff cover an extraordinarily wide range of specialisms including Bronze Age Aegean, Late Antique and Byzantine archaeology and architecture, Roman Britain, Persian monuments, Greek pottery and Roman mosaics, while many other staff members employ art historical and archaeological methods in their work.

The MA course consists of a wide range of optional modules and a research dissertation. You will be trained in a variety of research skills and the unique opportunity to acquire technical skills in the handling of documentary evidence through modules in Greek Papyrology and Greek & Roman Epigraphy. Greek & Latin Palaeography will be particularly valuable to students who intend to pursue further research in classical archaeology or art history.

As well as archaeological and art-historical topics, you can also choose modules from MA courses across the university, including Ancient History, Classics, and Late Antique & Byzantine Studies. Students also have the opportunity to study Latin and Ancient Greek.

Career prospects

Our graduates use the skills and knowledge they develop with us to careers in teaching, journalism, cultural management, or the financial sector or to go on to further study.