Ancient History and Archaeology BA (Hons)
University of Birmingham
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.3) View reviews

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Different course options
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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

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Location

Main Site

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

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Duration

3 Years

Course info

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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Location

Main Site

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

3 Years

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Subjects

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Archaeology
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History
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Exam type

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A level
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Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
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England
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Scotland
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Wales
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Northern Ireland
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Course info

Uncover the ancient world by combining both historical and archaeological approaches to studying the past. Our Archaeology and Ancient History undergraduate degree programme combines the best of both disciplines into one exciting programme. You will have the opportunity to study the ancient civilisations of Egypt, Greece and Rome, and prehistoric societies in the Mediterranean, Europe and Britain. We place a distinctive emphasis on the combination of archaeological and historical approaches in ...Read more

Uncover the ancient world by combining both historical and archaeological approaches to studying the past. Our Archaeology and Ancient History undergraduate degree programme combines the best of both disciplines into one exciting programme. You will have the opportunity to study the ancient civilisations of Egypt, Greece and Rome, and prehistoric societies in the Mediterranean, Europe and Britain. We place a distinctive emphasis on the combination of archaeological and historical approaches in the study of the ancient world, including modules in field archaeology, material culture studies and historical interpretation, with exciting opportunities for specialisation in Archaeology, Ancient History, or both disciplines. In addition to compulsory modules, this course offers flexibility to tailor your own undergraduate degree from the variety of optional modules available.Our degree offers you an exciting opportunity to undertake field work, where you will gain core practical skills and first-hand knowledge of archaeological fieldwork methodology. In your second year, you will be financially supported by the department for your Study Tour – an opportunity to travel abroad with your fellow students and academics on a guided tour of archaeological sites and monuments relevant to your studies.


Why study this course?


Study tour

– Our unique two-week Study Tour gives you the opportunity to undertake travel to countries such as Italy and Greece to visit sites, monuments and museums of interest.


A wide range of learning resources

- Including environmental and material culture teaching collections and our on-campus Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology Museum, where teaching takes place.


Marketable skills that are highly sought-after by employers

- Pursue your career goals with one of our bespoke internships, offered exclusively to University of Birmingham students. Past placements have included the National Trust, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and West Midlands Transport.


Field work opportunities

– There are many opportunities to take part in field work and develop your practical archaeology experience. Recent undergraduate digs include a middle-saxon site in nearby Shropshire and a long-term project to uncover an imperial palace in Carnuntum, Austria.


Top 15 for Classics and Ancient History in the The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023


16th for Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology in the Guardian University Guide 2024


Top 10 for Archaeology in the Complete University Guide 2025

Key stats

Archaeology
WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
44/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
10th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
13th
Archaeology
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 95 = 5% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
5%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
90%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Archaeology graduate salary at this uni
£20,000
UK Archaeology graduate salary
£20,000
Classics
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 95 = 5% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
5%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
90%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Classics graduate salary at this uni
£18,000
UK Classics graduate salary
£20,000
What students say
SR
Student Reviewer
21 Nov 24

The campus and facilities as well as student and academic support make the University of Birmingham a great place to study!..Read more

SR
Student Reviewer
25 Jan 22

I love the location and presentation of the university. Its a great environment to learn..Read more

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

ABB Grades / Points required

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

32 Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

DDD Grades / Points required

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Accepted in place of A levels with the following grade equivalencies: D2 = A*; D3 = A; M2 = B. Combinations of A levels and Principle subjects are accepted. NB required subjects must be offered (see A level Section)

6,5,5 in Higher Level subjects.

BTEC Extended Diploma: DDD.BTEC Diploma: DD, plus B at A-level.BTEC Subsidiary Diploma: D, plus AB at A-level.

Accepted in place of a non-required A level with the equivalent grade.

Popular A-level subjects

Classics

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

History
58%
Classical Studies
45%
English Literature
44%
Religious Studies & Theology
19%
Biology
13%
HESA

Tuition fees

Students living in

England

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from England

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Scotland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Wales

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Northern Ireland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Channel Islands

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Ancient History reviews

Ancient History
Ancient History
Archaeology
SR
Student Reviewer
21 Nov 24
Ancient History and Archaeology BA (Hons)
The campus and facilities as well as student and academic support make the University of Birmingham a great place to study!...
Read more
SR
Student Reviewer
25 Jan 22
Ancient History BA (Hons)
I love the location and presentation of the university. Its a great environment to learn...
Read more
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How Ancient History students rated:

Student rating
( 4.4) 9 reviews
5 star
45%
4 stars
55%
3 stars
0%
2 stars
0%
1 star
0%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.3) 1,423 reviews
5 star
40%
4 stars
50%
3 stars
9%
2 stars
1%
1 star
0%
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Uni info

University of Birmingham
Academic and Student Division Birmingham B15 2TT United Kingdom
Nearest train station: University   0.2 miles away
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