The Master’s in Ancient Worlds offers a multidisciplinary training in the sciences of Antiquity. It offers three specializations: Languages, Literature and Ancient Cultures (LLCA in French); Ancient history, and Archaeology. Students of the Department of Social Sciences of ENS de Lyon are enrolled in the Ancient History specialized course, which enables them to acquire solid knowledge in their field of specialization, while learning the other disciplines of the Ancient Worlds (ancient languages as Latin and ancient Greek, but learning other ancient languages is possible in Lyon) and the cross-curricular issues specific to Antiquity.

Multidisciplinary training

In semester 1, Master’s 1st year degree students take a course in Archaeology and a course in Classics for non-specialists. They also follow a cross-curricular thematic and methodological seminar, which puts into practice multidisciplinary approaches: specialists in Ancient Languages and Literatures, Ancient History and Archaeology intervene around the same theme, which changes every year ("Describing the everyday", "The individual", "Organizing the world",  "Power", "Shows and the spectacular"...). At the end of the master's degree, each student knows the major periods, phases, civilizations and chrono-cultural areas of Antiquity and has become familiar with all the disciplines specific to the Ancient Worlds.

Throughout their training, Students of Ancient History can also choose several courses outside their field of specialization and develop their knowledge in Classics or Archeology if they wish. They can also acquire a double degree Master’s in Ancient Worlds / Master’s in Digital Humanities.

Disciplinary training

In Master’s 1st year and Master’s 2nd year degree, students validate strong disciplinary electives (UE), intended to consolidate their knowledge of background and method in ancient history. The speciality seminars followed are given at ENS de Lyon, the Université Lyon 2 and Université Lyon 3. 

In the Master’s 1st year as in Master’s 2nd year degree, each student writes and supports a research dissertation in their field of speciality.

Professional training

The Master’s in Ancient Worlds gives access to various professional fields: research, teaching, but also heritage and publishing professions. During their Master’s 1st year degree, students complete an internship of at least 22 days, enabling them to clarify their professional project.