Archaeology and History 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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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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Northern Ireland
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Course info

The University of Birminghams Archaeology and History degree is taught in an intellectually challenging and stimulating environment, focused on ensuring you are a fully supported and active learner.You will explore the ancient civilisations of Egypt, Western Asia, Greece and Rome, the prehistoric and historic societies of Europe and Britain though to the Middle Ages, and then follow events around the world almost to the present day. During the course you will have the chance to study unfamiliar ...Read more

The University of Birmingham's Archaeology and History degree is taught in an intellectually challenging and stimulating environment, focused on ensuring you are a fully supported and active learner.You will explore the ancient civilisations of Egypt, Western Asia, Greece and Rome, the prehistoric and historic societies of Europe and Britain though to the Middle Ages, and then follow events around the world almost to the present day. During the course you will have the chance to study unfamiliar territory and to question some of the myths, preconceptions and prejudices that surround the three disciplines. By interpreting historical and archaeological evidence together, you can build a rounded picture of the life and culture of these societies. You will be taught by ancient historians specialising in the period, archaeologists whose expertise covers north-west Europe, Classical Greek and Roman societies, early medieval states in Europe and the Mediterranean and historians whose interests are global in cultural, social, diplomatic, military, political, economic or religious history.We place a distinctive emphasis on the combination of archaeological and historical approaches in the study of the ancient world, and the range of expertise available across the three disciplines ensures that a wide choice of periods, countries and cultures may be studied.


Why study this course?


Breadth of expertise

- While many Ancient History programmes focus on Greece and Rome, at the University of Birmingham you will have the opportunity to study a wide range of ancient societies with exciting opportunities for specialisation in Archaeology, Ancient History, or both disciplines.


Immerse yourself in an ancient language

– Take advantage of learning another languages and dive deeper into literatures that will shape your knowledge of the Classics.


Learn from the very best

– You will study alongside some of the finest minds in the field. Times Higher Education ranked the Department in the Top 10 in the country for its performance in the latest Research Excellence Framework exercise


Unparalleled access to history

- Explore our Cadbury Research Libraries collections consisting of over 200,000 rare books dating from 1471 and more than four million manuscript items. You'll also access environmental and material culture teaching collections and our on-campus Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology Museum, where teaching takes place.


Be a part of an exciting department

– You will join a lively University environment with many opportunities to enhance your student experience, including the highly active Birmingham Ancient History, Classics and Archaeology Society (BACAS), which organises events such as film nights and museum trips throughout the academic year.


Top 10 for Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology in the Guardian University Guide 2025


Top 50 for History in the Guardian University Guide 2024


Top 100 for History in the QS World Subject Rankings 2024

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 - 100 = 0% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
0%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
85%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Archaeology graduate salary at this uni
£20,000
UK Archaeology graduate salary
£20,000
History
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 - 100 = 0% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
0%
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
History graduate salary at this uni
£20,000
UK History 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)
Modules (Year 3)
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.

A Level History, Medieval History or Ancient History is preferred but we welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate an interest in and an aptitude for the study of history and politics. Acceptable subjects include: Ancient History, Anthropology, Archaeology, Business Studies, Classical Civilisation, Drama and Theatre Studies, Economics, English Language, English Language and Literature, English Literature, Environmental Studies, Geography, Government and Politics, History, History of Art, Law, Medieval History, Modern or Classical Languages, Music, Philosophy, Psychology, Religious Studies, and Sociology. If you are not studying one or more of the above then please contact us to discuss your application.If you are not taking A level History then we will require GCSE History grade 7 and at least one humanities subject at A level or equivalent.

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. Please see A Level details above for subject information.

BTEC Extended Diploma: DDD, plus an B at A-level in the required subject/s mentioned above.BTEC Diploma: DD, plus an B at A-level in the required subject/s mentioned above.BTEC Subsidiary Diploma: D, plus AB at A-level, including an A in the required A-level subject/s mentioned above.

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

Popular A-level subjects

History

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

History
56%
Psychology
46%
English Literature
31%
Biology
20%
Mathematics
17%
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:

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( 4.4) 9 reviews
5 star
45%
4 stars
55%
3 stars
0%
2 stars
0%
1 star
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How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.3) 1,423 reviews
5 star
40%
4 stars
50%
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9%
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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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