PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
BA Ancient History and Egyptology
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
BA
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
VQ14
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
2015 intake onwards
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Social and Historical Sciences
Parent Department:
History
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Departmental web page address:
www.ucl.ac.uk/history
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full-time/Part-time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
A-levels:
A*AA – AAA at A Level, subjects must include History, Ancient
History or Classical Civilisation. A pass in a further subject at AS level
is required. Applicants are also expected to have attained English
Language and Mathematics at grade C; Ancient European Language
at grade B also welcomed. For UK-based students a foreign
language at grade B is required.
IB Diploma:
Students studying for the International Baccalaureate will normally be
expected to gain 38-39 points overall, with a combined score of 18-19
respectively in three Higher Level subjects including a 6 in History at
Higher Level and no score lower than 5. A minimum of 5 is required
in an ancient or modern foreign language at Standard Level.
Length of the programme:
3 years
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such
as study abroad or placements in industry)
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
Level 6
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
(see Guidance notes)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
(see guidance notes)
Classics and ancient history(including Byzantine studies and Modern
Greek) 2007
QAA 164 02/07
Archaeology 2007
QAA 166 02/07
Students must take 12 course units (180 ECTS) in total, 4 in each
year. These include courses in ancient Middle Eastern history
(c.3000-330 BC), in Middle Egyptian language (hieroglyphs) and in
Egyptian and ancient Middle Eastern archaeology. In the final year
students write a 10,000-word essay on Ancient History and/or
Egyptology.
In addition, students will take three first year half unit core courses.
The first is ‘Writing Ancient History’, which focuses on developing
essay-writing skills. This course is delivered via lectures and large
group ‘workshops’ addressing general issues in historical writing;
three small group tutorials organised around writing exercises and
two one-to-one tutorials on the revision of a draft essay and feedback
on its final mark. Assessment is based on a presentation and course
summary (25%) and the final revised version of the 2,500-word
coursework essay (75%). The second is a combined lecture and
seminar course covering key concepts in historical enquiry,
‘Concepts, Categories and the Practice of History’. This is taught by
twice-weekly 2-hour lectures (five for each period, Ancient and
Medieval), each followed by a general discussion between the
teacher and the students. The third is “Texts in Archaeology”. The
course introduces students to the nature of written sources for preindustrial societies and to problems and methods of handling such
evidence. It is taught through a total of 20 hours of lectures and
seminars. These are divided into weekly sessions consisting of a
one-hour lecture, followed by a one-hour seminar later on the same
day.
Courses are assessed by a combination of coursework and
examinations.
Board of Examiners:
Name of Board of Examiners:
Ancient History and Egyptology Board of Examiners
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
N/A
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
This degree programme is intended to introduce students with a particular interest in ancient Egypt as well as
Ancient History more generally to the complexities of Egypt and its relations with its neighbours. At the same time
the course encourages them to be aware of historical developments in other areas of the ancient Middle East and
the Mediterranean world.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding,
qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. A body of historical knowledge
concerning the ancient world with
particular reference to Egypt and its
relations with its neighbours, and
historical developments in other
areas of the Near East and
Mediterranean World.
1.Throughout the programme, students will choose a
range of survey and more detailed courses covering a
range of periods and societies, taught by a mix of
lectures, discussion classes and seminars
2. Different theoretical and
methodological approaches;
2 & 3. A first year seminar course will introduce students
to various concepts and categories and historiographical
trends. Throughout the programme, students will choose
from a range of survey and more detailed courses that
will examine different approaches to ancient history.
3. The nature of history and its
theoretical underpinnings
4. Students take a first year introductory course in 'Texts
in Archaeology'
4. The nature of written sources for preindustrial societies and the problems
of handling such evidence
5 & 6. All students take compulsory courses in Egyptian
archaeology
5. The problematic and varied nature of
archaeological evidence
7. All students take courses in Ancient Egyptian writing
and language.
6. Approaches to Egyptian archaeology
7. Egyptian language and writing
Assessment:
Students will be assessed by a mix of essays,
coursework and examinations.
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. Ability to read, analyse and reflect
critically on texts;
1-3. Private reading and study in preparation for
discussion classes and seminars, researching and
writing essays and other course work. In the final year,
students will undertake research for a 10,000-word
thesis on Ancient History and/or Egyptology.
2. Ability to develop and sustain
arguments lucidly, coherently and
concisely, orally and in writing;
3. Ability to design, research and present
an extended piece of writing, using
original source material.
2 & 3. Students will take the module ‘Writing Ancient
History’ in their first year to help them develop their
writing skills and understand the issues and conventions
in historical writing.
Assessment:
Examinations with papers requiring essay answers
and/or comments on extracts from original sources;
Essays, book reviews and other written work
10,000-word thesis based on original sources in final
year.
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. Gather, organise and deploy
evidence;
1-5. Private reading and study in preparation for
discussion classes and seminars, researching and
writing essays and other coursework. Students take
courses totalling 2 course units in Egyptian language,
writing, texts and inscriptions. Research for final year
project.
2. Find, retrieve, sort and exchange new
information;
3. Analyse evidence qualitatively and
quantitatively
4. Identify and solve associated
problems
5. Understand source materials in the
original ancient language.
Assessment:
Coursework and examinations in Egyptian language;
Examinations with papers requiring essay answers
and/or comments on extracts from original sources;
Essays and other written work
A 10,000 word thesis using original sources in the final
year.
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1.
Write with clarity and fluency;
2.
Present material orally in a clear and
effective manner;
1-5. Students will take the module ‘Writing Ancient
History’ in their first year to help them develop their
writing skills and understand the issues and conventions
in historical writing.
3.
Participate in a group discussion;
4.
Defend an independent point of view
in argument;
5.
Manage time and work to deadlines
1-5. Researching and writing essays and other
coursework. Oral presentations and participation in
discussion classes and seminars. Writing final year
thesis.
Assessment:
Examinations with papers requiring essay answers
Essays and other written work
10,000 word project in final year
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements);
 the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
 UCL teaching and learning policies;
 staff research.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the
learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes
full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the
departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually
by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s)
Dr Yağmur Heffron
Name(s):
Date of Production:
2007
Date of Review:
October 2015
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
November 2015
November 2015