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With our BA Ancient History degree, immerse yourself in the rich cultures of ancient Greece and Rome - their history, societies, achievements, beliefs and values - and discover how these ancient civilisations have influenced the modern world.
Ancient history is the study of the Greek and Roman worlds over a period spanning from 2000 BC to around 600 AD and covers parts of Africa, Asia and Europe. You will learn about these ancient cultures in their political literary, social, cultural and religious contexts.
This flexible course allows you to pursue your own interests and choose from a wide range of research-led subjects. Our Classics Department has a wide range of specialist subjects, from the Bronze Age to late antiquity, and we are ranked third in the UK for our research output. (Times Higher Education Institutions Ranked by Subject, based on its analysis of Research Excellence Framework 2014 - Classics.)
In 2020, our students gave the Department of Classics a 90% satisfaction score for our teaching in the National Student Survey (for more details, ask us at www.reading.ac.uk/question).
You can enhance your knowledge of the ancient world by studying Latin or Greek, or gain an understanding of the ancient past through hands-on experience with artefacts from the Ure Museum – the University's internationally important collection of Greek and Egyptian antiquities. You can also explore ancient Rome through our unique digital model of the city.
Your first year will be one of discovery and experimentation. Core modules will provide you with a solid grounding, while optional modules let you explore the different approaches, periods, and cultures that interest you. In your second year you will be encouraged to become more independent, proposing your own areas of study and setting your own essay questions. You can refine your interests in your final year and focus on your dissertation.
You will be encouraged to gain direct experience of ancient sites through independent travel, for which scholarships are available. You can also apply to study at the British School at Athens and the British School at Rome, which both offer summer school opportunities to University of Reading students.
Placement
All students are encouraged to undertake a work placement and the Department benefits from a dedicated placements officer to help with CV writing and letters of application. Students in previous years have gained experience in charities and barristers' chambers, and within a division of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The University's museums can also provide a number of voluntary and work placements.
If you would like to gain first-hand experience of life in another culture you can choose to study abroad for part of your degree through our Erasmus+ programme. The Classics Department also has close links to overseas institutions including the University of Malta.
For more information, please visit the Department of Classics website and the Museum Studies website.
Overview
With our BA Ancient History degree, immerse yourself in the rich cultures of ancient Greece and Rome - their history, societies, achievements, beliefs and values - and discover how these ancient civilisations have influenced the modern world.
Ancient history is the study of the Greek and Roman worlds over a period spanning from 2000 BC to around 600 AD and covers parts of Africa, Asia and Europe. You will learn about these ancient cultures in their political literary, social, cultural and religious contexts.
This flexible course allows you to pursue your own interests and choose from a wide range of research-led subjects. Our Classics Department has a wide range of specialist subjects, from the Bronze Age to late antiquity, and we are ranked third in the UK for our research output. (Times Higher Education Institutions Ranked by Subject, based on its analysis of Research Excellence Framework 2014 - Classics.)
Learning
In 2020, our students gave the Department of Classics a 90% satisfaction score for our teaching in the National Student Survey (for more details, ask us at www.reading.ac.uk/question).
You can enhance your knowledge of the ancient world by studying Latin or Greek, or gain an understanding of the ancient past through hands-on experience with artefacts from the Ure Museum – the University's internationally important collection of Greek and Egyptian antiquities. You can also explore ancient Rome through our unique digital model of the city.
Your first year will be one of discovery and experimentation. Core modules will provide you with a solid grounding, while optional modules let you explore the different approaches, periods, and cultures that interest you. In your second year you will be encouraged to become more independent, proposing your own areas of study and setting your own essay questions. You can refine your interests in your final year and focus on your dissertation.
You will be encouraged to gain direct experience of ancient sites through independent travel, for which scholarships are available. You can also apply to study at the British School at Athens and the British School at Rome, which both offer summer school opportunities to University of Reading students.
Placement
All students are encouraged to undertake a work placement and the Department benefits from a dedicated placements officer to help with CV writing and letters of application. Students in previous years have gained experience in charities and barristers' chambers, and within a division of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The University's museums can also provide a number of voluntary and work placements.
If you would like to gain first-hand experience of life in another culture you can choose to study abroad for part of your degree through our Erasmus+ programme. The Classics Department also has close links to overseas institutions including the University of Malta.
For more information, please visit the Department of Classics website and the Museum Studies website.
Entry requirements A Level BBB | IB 30 points overall
Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.
Typical offer
BBB
International Baccalaureate
30 points overall
Extended Project Qualification
In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.
BTEC Extended Diploma
DDM
English language requirements
IELTS 7.0, with no component below 6.0
For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.
Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students
For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.
International Foundation Programme
If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.
Pre-sessional English language programme
If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.
Structure
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
CL1RH | Roman History: the rise and fall of the Republic | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
CL1GH | Greek History: war, society, and change in the Archaic Age | DR Emma Aston |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PP1GJ | Global Justice | DR Shalini Sinha |
PP1ML | The Meaning of Life | DR Luke Elson |
PP1RP | Radical Philosophy | PROF Maximilian De Gaynesford |
PO1FRE | Freedom | DR Rob Jubb |
PO1INE | Inequality | DR Jonathan Golub |
MT1CC | The Science of Climate Change | PROF Nigel Arnell |
EC118 | Economy, Politics and Culture in the Roman World | PROF Ken Dark |
EC110 | The Economics of Climate Change | DR Stefania Lovo |
CL1TR | Texts, Readers, and Writers | PROF Eleanor Dickey |
CL1SO | Ancient Song | PROF Ian Rutherford |
CL1L1 | Latin 1 (C) | MRS Jackie Baines |
CL1G1 | Ancient Greek 1 | MRS Jackie Baines |
AR1SOC | Contemporary world cultures: an introduction to social anthropology | DR Thomas Grisaffi |
AR1EMP | Early Empires: Mesopotamia, Egypt & Rome | PROF Roger Matthews |
AR1FOR | Forensic Anthropology and the Archaeology of Death | MRS Ceri Falys |
AR1FOR10 | Forensic Anthropology and the Archaeology of Death [10 credit] | MRS Ceri Falys |
AR1MET | Archaeology today: methods and practice | MS Amanda Clarke |
AR1REV | Revolutions in Human Behaviour: 4 Million Years BC to the Present | DR Aleks Pluskowski |
AR1REV10 | Revolutions in Human Behaviour: 4 Million Years BC to the Present [10 credits] | DR Aleks Pluskowski |
AP1SB1 | Introduction to Management | DR Yiorgos Gadanakis |
ML1IL | Introduction to Linguistics | DR Federico Faloppa |
MC1HPE | Museum History, Policy and Ethics | DR Rhi Smith |
MC1PP | Presenting the Past | DR Rhi Smith |
LS1GL | Globalization and Language | DR Tony Capstick |
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
CL2RO | Roman History: From Republic to Empire | PROF Annalisa Marzano |
CL2CGH | Greek History: Persian Wars to Alexander | PROF Timothy Duff |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PP2HKW1 | Hume, Kant, and Wittgenstein 1 | DR Severin Schroeder |
PP2GP1 | Global Philosophy 1 | DR Shalini Sinha |
PP2EA1 | Ethical Argument 1: Philosophy and How to Live | DR Luke Elson |
PP2OID1 | Oppression, Inequality, and the Enemies of Democracy 1 | MR George Mason |
PP2MM1 | Meaning and the Mind 1 | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
PP2IDR1 | Ignorance, Doubt, and Relativism 1 | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
PO2THI | Political Thinking | DR Alice Baderin |
PO2PWS | Politics of the Welfare State | DR Brandon Beomseob Park |
PO2MIR | Modern International Relations | DR Joseph O' Mahoney |
MT2CC | The Science of Climate Change | PROF Nigel Arnell |
CL2DR | Ancient Drama | PROF Barbara Goff |
CL2G2 | Ancient Greek 2 (I) | MRS Jackie Baines |
CL2G3 | Ancient Greek 3 (I) | MRS Jackie Baines |
CL2PR | Prospects for Classicists and Ancient Historians | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
CL2RME | Rome’s Mediterranean Empire; A World of Cities | DR Andrew Souter |
CL2RO | Roman History: From Republic to Empire | PROF Annalisa Marzano |
CL2LAN | Literature and Society in Late Antiquity | DR Susan Griffith |
CL2L3 | Latin 3 (I) | MRS Jackie Baines |
CL2L2 | Latin 2 (I) | MRS Jackie Baines |
CL2PL | Work placement for Classicists and Ancient Historians | PROF Eleanor Dickey |
CL2SI | My Mother's Sin and other Stories | DR Dimitra Tzanidaki-Kreps |
ED2TS1 | Development of transferable skills through a school placement 1 | DR Caroline Foulkes |
CL2CGH | Greek History: Persian Wars to Alexander | PROF Timothy Duff |
CL2CLE | Cleopatras | DR Rachel Mairs |
CL2AE | Ancient Epic | PROF Katherine Harloe |
AR2M8 | Medieval Europe: power, religion and death | DR Gabor Thomas |
AR2F17 | Forensic Archaeology and Crime Scene Analysis | PROF Mary Lewis |
ML2GF | Science, perversion, and dream in global fantastic literature | DR Daniela La Penna |
MC2LE | Museum Learning and Engagement | DR Rhi Smith |
MC2CCM | Curatorship and Collections Management | DR Rhi Smith |
ML2UNR | Unity, Nationalism and Regionalism in Europe | DR Athena Leoussi |
ML2STA | Society, Thought, and Art in Modern Europe | DR Athena Leoussi |
MM270 | Practice of Entrepreneurship | DR Norbert Morawetz |
LS2LNM | Language and New Media | PROF Rodney Jones |
LS2LAT | Introduction to English Language Teaching | MRS Suzanne Portch |
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
CL3DP | Preparation for Dissertation in Classics | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PO3IPE | International Political Economy | DR Jonathan Golub |
PO3USF | US Foreign and Defence Policy since 1950 | DR Graham O'Dwyer |
PO3FPT | Feminism and Political Theory | PROF David Marshall |
CL3AA | Anatolia and the Aegean in the Late Bronze Age. The Context for the Trojan War | PROF Ian Rutherford |
CL3BSA | Archaeology and Topography of Ancient Greece | DR Emma Aston |
CL3BSR | British School at Rome Undergraduate Summer School | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
CL3L5 | Latin 5 (H) | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
CL3L4 | Latin 4 (H) | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
CL3G6 | Ancient Greek 6 | MRS Jackie Baines |
CL3INP | Independent Third Year Project | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
CL3L2 | Latin 2 (I) | MRS Jackie Baines |
CL3G5 | Ancient Greek 5 (H) | MRS Jackie Baines |
CL3G4 | Ancient Greek 4 (H) | MRS Jackie Baines |
CL3DN | Dissertation in Classics | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
CL3EGY | History and Culture of New Kingdom Egypt | DR Hana Navratilova |
CL3UL | Urban Life: The Archaeology and Anthropology of Roman Cities | DR John Hanson |
CL3L6 | Latin 6 | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
CL3NH | History, Culture and Society in the time of Nero | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
CL3TE | Technology in the Ancient World | PROF Annalisa Marzano |
CL3TH | Transformations of Helen | PROF Barbara Goff |
BI3EF7 | Urban Ecology | DR Phil Baker |
BI3BI8 | Neurobiology | DR Nandini Vasudevan |
AR3HCP | THE ANTHROPOLOGY OF HERITAGE AND CULTURAL PROPERTY | DR Alanna Cant |
GV3TRC | Tropical Rainforests, Climate & Lost Civilisations | PROF Frank Mayle |
GV3ESM | Ecosystems Modelling | DR Shovonlal Roy |
GV3CC | Climate Change | DR Maria Shahgedanova |
ML3IC | Identity and Conflict in Modern Europe | DR Athena Leoussi |
ML3LP | Language and Power | DR Federico Faloppa |
MM302 | Entrepreneurial Project | MR Keith Heron |
LW3CRY | Criminology | PROF Paul Almond |
LS3IC | Intercultural Communications | DR Erhan Aslan |
Fees
New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250 per year
New international students: £19,500 per year
UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes
UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.
EU student fees
With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.
Additional costs
Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.
Financial support for your studies
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
Careers
A degree in Ancient History will provide you with a range of transferable skills. Historians have to analyse a wide variety of sources to produce reasoned conclusions, and this helps develop clear thinking, written and oral communication skills, time management, adaptability, independence, and the ability to understand different cultures.
Our recent graduates have gone on to a wide variety of careers, including work in accountancy and banking, government and the civil service, law, heritage and museums, teaching, publishing, public sector management, libraries and archives, and media research and production. Recent employers include GCHQ, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Oxford University, the British Museum, the NHS, the Environment Agency, and Sotheby's.