Overview
This programme closes after session 2011/12. Please see our new MSc in Late Antique, Islamic and Byzantine History instead.
First Millennium Studies examines the period between the 4th and the 10th centuries, when Europe experienced the transformation of its Classical civilisations, the spread of Christianity and Islam and the establishment of new peoples around the Mediterranean and across Northern Europe.
The St Andrews "sarcophagus" – Pictish sculptural art from early medieval Scotland (© J Fraser)
The University of Edinburgh offers an unparalleled opportunity to study this fascinating epoch on a multidisciplinary basis. Our courses collectively span seven centuries and a geographical range extending from the Middle East and North Africa to the British Isles and Scandinavia.
Students normally focus their attention in one of two Research Areas (Late Antique, Islamic and Byzantine or Early Medieval Scottish, English and Celtic), but are not formally required to limit their course choices to one Area. Staff from a number of Schools contribute to the programme, providing teaching and research supervision across a wide range of areas, including:
- Arabic and Persian language
- Archaeology
- Art history
- Classics
- religious studies, including Islamic studies
- Celtic studies, including early Gaelic and medieval Welsh language
- Scandinavian studies, including Old Norse language
- Byzantine and early medieval history
A variety of skills and themed courses in small seminar groups prepare students for research on a dissertation supervised by respected specialists.
Our range of scholarly expertise is complemented by first-rate library and museum facilities and a vibrant research culture, including lectures and seminars by visiting academics under the auspices of various schools and the University’s own Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies.
Anyone who wishes further details is welcome to consult the programme director, Dr James Fraser.
- Dr James Fraser
- Director, MSc (Taught) in First Millennium Studies
- Tel: +44 (0)131 650 4034
- Email:
- James.E.Fraser@ed.ac.uk
Further information
This article was published on Feb 8, 2012