Why study this course

Dedicated to the understanding of past societies through the interpretation of ancient evidence, our BA in Ancient History is an exciting degree that explores key literary, visual, epigraphic and archaeological material. Unusual in the UK, our programme allows you to discover the Near East, Persia and the Byzantine Empire, as well as the Greek and Roman worlds.

Designed for students with no prior study of the ancient world, but also catering for those who do have some prior knowledge, our multi-faceted programme will develop your knowledge and critical understanding of these fascinating ancient societies, examining their political, social, economic and cultural structures, as well as building the skills that you need to succeed at university level and beyond.

For us, social and cultural topics are just as important as political history. You will encounter fascinating themes with contemporary relevance, such as warfare, gender and sexuality, religion, medicine, art and literature, and you will discover how antiquity continues to inspire the modern world.

You will assess the range of evidence available for the study of the ancient world and learn to evaluate varying and sometimes conflicting interpretations of the past, in order to construct your own robust and coherent arguments. You will practise communicating your ideas to different audiences in a variety of different media and formats. At the end of your degree, you will design and carry out an individual research project on a subject of your choice.

This programme is also available with a year of study abroad, extending your degree to a four-year programme, with your third year spent at a partner institution outside the UK.

Learning and assessment

The School of History, Archaeology and Religion enables you to develop in a high-quality learning environment, supported by a student-orientated approach to the acquisition of knowledge and skills.

We employ a range of teaching methods including lectures, seminars, active problem-solving classes, practicals, field trips, and one-to-one tutorials. You will also undertake independent study and research, with guidance from tutors or on a self-directed basis.

Lectures provide an overview of the key concepts and frameworks for a topic, equipping you to carry out independent research and develop your own ideas for the seminars, active classes and assessments. These materials may be delivered to you face-to-face or provided in electronic form so that you can study them at your own pace and convenience.

Seminars and active problem-solving classes provide a dynamic environment in which you can explore the ideas and debates outlined in lectures. These sessions usually consist of a group of students and the group leader (a member of the teaching team). They may take various forms, including plenary group discussion, small group work and student-led presentations. They offer a rewarding opportunity to debate and engage critically with key ideas and reading, and to explore areas of particular interest with an expert in the field.