MA Ancient History and Mathematics
About this course
Ancient History and Mathematics is a combination that might initially appear unexpected but reveals itself as a deeply coherent pairing for students with both humanistic and quantitative interests. Ancient history invites you to explore the civilisations of Greece, Rome, and their neighbours, tracing the period from the emergence of Greek urbanism and writing in the eighth century BCE through the collapse of the western Roman empire in the fifth century CE. The geographical scope is vast, spanning the Mediterranean world from the Persian Gulf to the Atlantic and from the Crimea to North Africa. Mathematics provides a rigorous training in abstract reasoning, quantitative analysis, and the kind of precise argument that is valuable in any intellectual endeavour. At the University of St Andrews, this four-year, full-time programme includes a year abroad, allowing you to study in a different academic setting as part of your degree. The ancient history component develops your ability to work with primary sources, including literary texts, inscriptions, coins, and archaeological evidence, situating them within the broader historical and cultural contexts that produced them. The mathematics component provides training in pure and applied mathematics, developing analytical and problem-solving skills that are genuinely complementary to the evidential rigour ancient history demands. St Andrews' leading reputation in both classics and mathematics makes it an excellent setting for this demanding combination. Graduates of Ancient History and Mathematics are exceptionally versatile. The combination of humanistic breadth and quantitative precision is rare and valued in academia, finance, data science, education, research, and public policy. Many continue to postgraduate study in ancient history, classics, mathematics, or a field that bridges them, while others move into roles in technology, financial analysis, teaching, or the cultural sector. The degree develops intellectual range that few other combinations can match.
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