Master of Ancient History
PostgraduateMAQ-HIS-MAS2025
Immerse yourself in ancient times
Understand who we are today by looking into the trials of history. Learn how to critically examine cultures of ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern worlds at a postgraduate level.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Applications close
- 20 July 2025
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- Approx. 1.5 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 12
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Master of Ancient History
About this degree
On successful completion, you will be able to:
- Understand recent developments in one or more of the following specialised bodies of knowledge: Ancient Greece, Rome, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Israel, Early Christianity, Coptic Studies, Ancient Languages.
- Demonstrate research principles and methods relevant to Ancient World studies in one or more of the fields of archaeology; art and architecture; epigraphy; historiography, language and literature; material culture; numismatics.
- Understand, respect and display professional (academic), ethical and sustainability principles and values.
- Evaluate theoretical, methodological, historical and linguistic information and scholarship about ancient Egypt and/or the Near East and/or Greece and/or Rome and/or Late Antiquity.
- Integrate knowledge, imagination, and evaluation as a foundation for creative learning behaviour.
- Communicate ideas about Ancient History studies clearly, coherently and with reference to evidence.
- Utilize research methods and tools, balancing creativity and initiative with knowledge of the subject and scholarship.
- Plan and execute a substantial research-based project.
- Apply knowledge and skills in a professional manner.
Graduates in the Master of Ancient History (OUA) will have specialised knowledge in this discipline and skills for research and further learning. In this course, you will have the opportunity to gain advanced and integrated understanding of a complex body of knowledge in a range of relevant disciplines. In addition to the coursework offered through seminars, you will conduct research in your chosen field. You may only enrol in the course as an online student. The course caters for anyone who wishes to further their studies in Ancient History, support specific professional development (eg teachers), or prepare for higher degree research studies.
Recommended study pattern
Foundation Zone
Essential subjects
- AHIX6100 Ancient Languages Foundation
- AHIX6200 Ancient Language Studies: Foundation in Ancient Language
- AHIX6201 Ancient Historiographical and Historical Studies: Foundation
- AHIX6202 Archaeological and Historical Studies: Foundation in Archaeology or History
Students admitted at the Foundation Zone have to complete the above four subjects.
Core Zone
(The core zone is required for all students. Students admitted at the Core Zone entry are exempt from the Foundation Zone subjects)
Complete all the following subjects:
- AHIX8000 Capstone Advanced Project
- AHIX8210 History Writing in Antiquity: Herodotus and Thucydides
- AHIX8211 The Athenian Empire 510 - 404 BC
- AHIX8213 Egypt: Alexander to Augustus
- AHIX8221 Caravan Cities
- AHIX8230 City of Constantine
- AHIX8252 Egypt in the Age of Akhenaten and Tutankhamun
- AHIX8320 Under the Shadow of Vesuvius: Archaeology in Ancient Campania
Total subjects required for Core Zone: 8
Award requirements
Depending on the admission point for which you qualify (see Entry Requirements), you will need to complete eight or twelve subjects. The Core zone is always compulsory.
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Please note:
Once you have been admitted into your degree, you must enrol in at least one subject in the study term immediately following admission, and you must remain enrolled past the census date. If not, your admission will lapse and you will need to re-apply for the degree again. Deferment is not available for OUA students.
Visit Studying a degree through OUA for further information.
Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy will not be permitted to register in Macquarie University degrees offered through OUA. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative first year fee
$24,560
Indicative total fee $24,560
The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
This research-intensive university in north-western Sydney offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With over 44,000 current students, Macquarie has a strong reputation for welcoming international students and embracing flexible and convenient study options, including its partnership with Open Universities Australia.
Learn more about Macquarie University.
Explore Macquarie courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 11
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 10
Entry requirements
Depending on your prior qualifications, work experience, or other recognised prior learning, you may qualify for entry to the course at one of the admission points below.
Each admission point requires the completion of some or all of the course's zones (see Course Structure) which will affect the overall duration of the degree.
Students commencing with the Foundation Zone
- AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification in a related field or recognised equivalent, or
- AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification or recognised equivalent, and approved work experience, professional certification or other recognised prior learning, or
- AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification or recognised equivalent with a WAM of 65
Students commencing with the Core zone:
- AQF level 8 bachelor honours or graduate diploma qualification in a related field or recognised equivalent, or
Meet two of the following three criteria:
- AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification in a related field or recognised equivalent
- Approved work experience, professional certification or other recognised prior learning
- AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification or recognised equivalent with a WAM of 65
The required standard of English for this program is:
- Academic IELTS of 6.5 overall with minimum 6.0 in each band, or equivalent.
- All applicants to coursework programs at Macquarie University are required to provide evidence of proficiency in English.
- For more information on accepted equivalents, please see English Language Requirements.
Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. Visit the Macquarie RPL pages for further information on how to apply, links to registers, and the approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit.
Career opportunities
Possible career opportunities include:
- archivist
- diplomat
- high school teacher (professional development)
- heritage consultant
- museum curator
- policy advisor/consultant
- publisher
- researcher
- writer
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
| Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
| Archivists, Curators and Records Managers | $93K to $120K | Up 12% |
| Secondary School Teachers | $93K to $120K | Up 2.7% |
| Social Professionals | $75K to $93K | Up 0.4% |
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Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
How can I pay for my studies?
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
How does studying through Open Universities Australia work?
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
We help you find the subjects or degree that's right for you, and we handle your enrolment in uni and some administration. Your uni sends you your study materials and deals with all academic matters. They're also in charge of your assessment and graduation. If you go on to complete a degree, you'll graduate from the uni offering your degree, for example, RMIT University or Griffith University.
How do I know if I‘m eligible to apply for a course?
Before starting an enrolment, it's important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you're eligible to apply. If you don't quite meet the requirements, we can help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study. Contact us to find out more.
When is my cut-off date for enrolment?
Our close of enrolment times vary. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting Key dates.
Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.
You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don't meet the entry requirements for a degree, we'll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.We'll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
How do I enrol?
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you've made your choice, click 'Apply now' on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We'll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to a student advisor and we'll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.