Archaeology, the Bible, and Ancient Cultures
It may seem obvious to say that the Bible draws upon and reacts to the ancient Near Eastern and the Greco-Roman cultures in which its various books were produced, and subsequently edited. But developing the skills to make sense of such interaction can be a challenge.
Our MA in Archaeology, Bible and Ancient Cultures offers you the opportunity to deepen your comprehension of how various aspects of the then-contemporary cultures shaped the presuppositions of the biblical writers and editors and are embedded in the biblical texts.
Students on the programme work with experts in both Archaeology and Biblical Studies: Through the Department of Archaeology, you will come to understand how past cultures are interpreted and recreated based on their physical remains. In the Department of Biblical Studies, students find out how the collection of texts known as the Bible may be analyzed using a range of modern scholarly methods, setting them in both their ancient and modern contexts.
Students can focus on ancient Levantine Iron Age cultures and the Hebrew Bible, on the New Testament and Greco-Roman cultures in the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean, or do work in both time periods and collections of biblical books. It is also possible to learn koine Greek, Latin, and Biblical Hebrew, and so gain essential skills for future research.
In this way, our flexible programme enables students to gain a depth and breadth of knowledge in both fields, to bring this knowledge together, and so come to grips with fascinating and stimulating questions about biblical origins and culture.
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Students during an excavation
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Entry criteria
This is a taught programme at the postgraduate level. It serves both as a 12-month research-track MA degree for students who intend to pursue a MPhil/PhD degree but who need to strengthen their research or ancient language skills or need to deepen their understanding of the field of Archaeology or Biblical Studies, and a standalone course for those with relevant interests.
Normally, applicants will have earned a BA or BS degree in Archaeology, Sociology, Anthropology, Ancient History, Religious Studies or Biblical Studies and will have earned a grade point average of 1 (=A, 4.0 in US/Canada; High Distinction, 7 in Australia; 1 in New Zealand) or 2.1 (=B, 3.0 in US/Canada; Distinction, 6.0 or Outstanding, 6.5 in Australia; 2.1 in New Zealand).
Course structure
The programme requires 180 credits of coursework to be completed within a 12-month period. Students on this programme complete two mandatory methods seminars, one in each discipline, during the first semester, as well as a mandatory dissertation workshop in semester two. All students then write a dissertation on an approved topic of choice. (A total of 105 credits.)
The remaining coursework may be chosen from options offered in both the Departments of Archaeology and Biblical Studies. The possibilities include a practical module, with a three week excavation project in Israel (self-funded).
This MA programme offers a wide range of possibilities, readily tailored to the needs of the individual student. Supervisors in each department will be available to assist you in determining the best course options and selecting a dissertation topic. To view the modules available, download a copy of the current module list (top right).
Opportunities for further study
Students who successfully complete the MA with a cumulative average of 60 (= B in the US/Canadian system; 6 in Australia; 2.1 in New Zealand) or above will be eligible to apply to do a joint MPhil/PhD research degree in Archaeology and Biblical Studies. As with our other MA programmes, students who do not complete the dissertation, but successfully pass 120 credits of coursework, will be awarded a Diploma.
We welcome applications from mature students.
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