BA Ancient History
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UCAS code
V110 -
Clearing BTEC Extended Offer
MMM -
Clearing Offer
CCD -
Year of entry
2023/24 See 2024/25 entry -
Course duration
Full Time: 3 Years
-
Year of entry
2023/24 See 2024/25 entry -
Course duration
Full Time: 3 Years
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. 95% of our research is of international standing (REF 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Classics).
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.
In the National Student Survey 2023, 100% of our students said teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things (100% of respondents studying BA Ancient History).
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. 95% of our research is of international standing (REF 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Classics).
Learning
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.
In the National Student Survey 2023, 100% of our students said teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things (100% of respondents studying BA Ancient History).
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.
Clearing A Level CCD BTEC offer MMM
A level: CCD
BTEC: MMM
We've listed A level and BTEC qualifications here, but please be assured that we also accept a wide variety of A level-equivalent qualifications.
For more information about Clearing at Reading, please visit our Clearing pages.
You can also visit our international student pages for information about English language qualifications.
Structure
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
CL1GH | Greek History: war, society, and change in the Archaic Age | PROF Amy Smith |
CL1RH | Roman History: the rise and fall of the Republic | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
CL1TR | Texts, Readers, and Writers | PROF Eleanor Dickey |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
CL1G1 | Ancient Greek 1 | PROF Amy Smith |
CL1L1 | Latin 1 (C) | MRS Jackie Baines |
CL1SO | Ancient Song | PROF Ian Rutherford |
CL1TR | Texts, Readers, and Writers | PROF Eleanor Dickey |
AP1A35 | Towards Sustainability: Positive Action for a Better World | PROF Julian Park |
AP1EM1 | Introduction to Marketing | MR Nick Walker |
AP1EM2 | The Fundamentals of Business and Marketing | MR Nick Walker |
AP1SB1 | Introduction to Management | PROF Julian Park |
AR1EMP | Early Empires: Mesopotamia, Egypt & Rome | PROF Roger Matthews |
AR1EMP10 | Early Empires: Mesopotamia, Egypt & Rome [10 credits] | PROF Roger Matthews |
AR1FOR | Forensic Anthropology and the Archaeology of Death | DR Gundula Müldner |
AR1FOR10 | Forensic Anthropology and the Archaeology of Death [10 credit] | DR Gundula Müldner |
AR1RAT | Revolutions and Transitions: The Human Journey from 6 Million Years Ago to the Present Day | PROF Steve Mithen |
AR1RAT1 | Revolutions and Transitions: The Human Journey from 6 Million Years Ago to the Present Day | PROF Steve Mithen |
AR1SOC | Contemporary world cultures: an introduction to social anthropology | DR Alanna Cant |
AR1SOC10 | Contemporary world cultures: an introduction to social anthropology [10 credits] | DR Alanna Cant |
FA1DSS | Drawing Skills | MISS Beverley Bennett |
FA1MM | Modernisms & Mythologies | DR Jenny Chamarette |
FT1ATF | Approaches to Film | DR Adam O'Brien |
FT1ATP | Analysing Theatre and Performance | DR Matt McFrederick |
FT1CSS | Comedy on Stage and Screen | DR Tonia Kazakopoulou |
FT1WD | Wildlife Documentary: Ecology and Representation | DR Adam O'Brien |
GV1B1 | Introduction to Environmental Science | DR Hazel McGoff |
IL1GICC | Intercultural Competence and Communication | MS Joan McCormack |
IL1GMB | Modern Britain: Society, History and Politics | DR Lucy Watson |
LS1ELS | English Language and Society | DR Christiana Themistocleous |
LS1GL | Globalization and Language | DR Tony Capstick |
MC1HPE | Museum History, Policy and Ethics | DR Rhi Smith |
MC1PP | Presenting the Past | DR Rhi Smith |
ML1GEC | Greats of European Cinema | DR Marta Simo-Comas |
MM1F10 | Student Enterprise | DR Lebene Soga |
MT1CC | The Science of Climate Change | PROF Nigel Arnell |
PO1BRI | British Society | DR Dawn Clarke |
PO1INE | Inequality | DR Jonathan Golub |
PO1IPI | Introduction to Political Ideas | DR Andrew Reid |
PO1WAR | War and Warfare | DR Vladimir Rauta |
PP1GJ | Global Justice | MISS Michela Bariselli |
PP1ML | The Meaning of Life | DR Luke Elson |
PP1RA | Reason and Argument | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
PP1RP | Radical Philosophy | PROF Maximilian De Gaynesford |
PY1IPY | Introduction to Psychology | DR Katie Barfoot |
TY1WTF | What the font? Making and using typefaces | DR Rob Banham |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
CL2CGH | Greek History: Persian Wars to Alexander | PROF Emma Aston |
CL2RO | Roman History: From Republic to Empire | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
CL2AE | Ancient Epic | DR Christa Gray |
CL2AEL | Ancient Egyptian Language and Hieroglyphs | PROF Rachel Mairs |
CL2ANX | Xenophon's Anabasis | PROF Emma Aston |
CL2APL | Academic Work Placement | PROF Emma Aston |
CL2CGH | Greek History: Persian Wars to Alexander | PROF Emma Aston |
CL2DR | Ancient Drama | PROF David Carter |
CL2EGR | Egypt and the Greco-Roman World | PROF Ian Rutherford |
CL2ET | Ancient Ethiopia: The Aksumite Kingdom | PROF Rachel Mairs |
CL2G2 | Ancient Greek 2 (I) | DR Doukissa Kamini |
CL2G3 | Ancient Greek 3 (I) | DR Dimitra Tzanidaki-Kreps |
CL2GRE | Greek Religions | PROF Ian Rutherford |
CL2JP | The Justinianic Plague | DR Arietta Papaconstantinou |
CL2L2 | Latin 2 (I) | MRS Jackie Baines |
CL2L3 | Latin 3 (I) | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
CL2PR | Prospects for Classicists and Ancient Historians | PROF Emma Aston |
CL2RO | Roman History: From Republic to Empire | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
CL2SI | My Mother's Sin and other Stories | DR Dimitra Tzanidaki-Kreps |
AR2F17 | Forensic Archaeology and Crime Scene Analysis | PROF Mary Lewis |
FT2WD | Wildlife Documentary: Ecology and Representation | DR Adam O'Brien |
GV2CSR | Corporate Social Responsibility Consultancy | MR Jim Ormond |
IL2GICC | Intercultural Competence and Communication | MRS Daniela Standen |
IL2GMB | Modern Britain: Society, History and Politics | DR Lucy Watson |
LS2LAT | Introduction to English Language Teaching | MRS Suzanne Portch |
LS2LNM | Language and New Media | PROF Rodney Jones |
MC2CCM | Curatorship and Collections Management | DR Rhi Smith |
MC2LE | Museum Learning and Engagement | DR Rhi Smith |
ML2GF | Science, perversion, and dream in global fantastic literature | DR Alice Christensen |
ML2STA | Society, Thought, and Art in Modern Europe | DR Veronica Heath |
MM2101 | Founder Dilemmas | PROF Norbert Morawetz |
MT2CC | The Science of Climate Change | PROF Nigel Arnell |
PO2AMG | American Government and Politics | DR Graham O'Dwyer |
PO2MIR | Modern International Relations | DR Joseph O' Mahoney |
PO2PWS | Politics of the Welfare State | DR Christoph Arndt |
PO2THI | Political Thinking | DR Alice Baderin |
PP2EA1 | Ethical Argument 1: Philosophy and How to Live | DR Luke Elson |
PP2GP1 | Global Philosophy 1 | MISS Michela Bariselli |
PP2HKW1 | Hume, Kant, and Wittgenstein 1 | DR Sev.J. Schroeder |
PP2IDR1 | Ignorance, Doubt, and Relativism 1 | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
PP2MM1 | Meaning and the Mind 1 | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
PP2OID1 | Oppression, Inequality, and the Enemies of Democracy 1 | DR Charlotte Newey |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
CL3DP | Preparation for Dissertation in Classics | PROF Emma Aston |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
CL3AA | Anatolia and the Aegean in the Late Bronze Age. The Context for the Trojan War | PROF Ian Rutherford |
CL3AB | Ancient Biography | PROF Timothy Duff |
CL3AEL | Ancient Egyptian Language & Hieroglyphs | PROF Rachel Mairs |
CL3BSA | Archaeology and Topography of Ancient Greece | PROF Emma Aston |
CL3BSR | British School at Rome Undergraduate Summer School | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
CL3DN | Dissertation in Classics | PROF Emma Aston |
CL3ET | Ancient Ethiopia: The Aksumite Kingdom | PROF Rachel Mairs |
CL3FCC | From Classroom to Courtroom: Mastering the Art of Persuasion in the Ancient World | DR Christa Gray |
CL3G4 | Ancient Greek 4 (H) | DR Dimitra Tzanidaki-Kreps |
CL3G5 | Ancient Greek 5 (H) | DR Dimitra Tzanidaki-Kreps |
CL3GD | Gender in Classical Antiquity | PROF Amy Smith |
CL3INP | Independent Third Year Project | PROF Emma Aston |
CL3L3 | Latin 3 (I) | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
CL3L4 | Latin 4 (H) | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
CL3L5 | Latin 5 (H) | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
CL3LAE | Late Antique Egypt | DR Arietta Papaconstantinou |
CL3RA | ‘Race’ in the Ancient Greek and Roman Worlds | PROF Barbara Goff |
CL3SHM | Saints and Holy Men in the Late Antique Mediterranean | DR Arietta Papaconstantinou |
AR3HCP | The Anthropology of Heritage and Cultural Property | DR Alanna Cant |
AR3R9 | Archaeology of the City of Rome | DR Philippa Walton |
FB3LNPA | Lifestyle, Nutrigenetics and Personalised Nutrition | DR Vimal Karani |
LS3IC | Intercultural Communications | DR Erhan Aslan |
LW3CRY | Criminology | PROFESSOR Jo Phoenix |
ML3IC | Identity and Conflict in Modern Europe | DR Athena Leoussi |
ML3LP | Language and Power | PROF Federico Faloppa |
PO3FPT | Feminism and Political Theory | DR Maxime Lepoutre |
PO3GAP | Gender and Politics | DR Rose De Geus |
PO3IPE | International Political Economy | DR Jonathan Golub |
PO3USF | US Foreign and Defence Policy since 1950 | DR Graham O'Dwyer |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Fees
New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250
New international students: £20,300
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.