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CHOOSE A SUBJECT
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Subjects A-B

  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biochemistry
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Bioveterinary Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management

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  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Criminology
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

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  • Finance
  • Food
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

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  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre & Performance

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise
  • Creative Writing

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  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teacher training
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

BA Ancient History and History

  • UCAS code
    V117
  • Typical offer
    BBB
  • Year of entry
    2024/25 See 2023/24 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  3 Years
  • Year of entry
    2024/25 See 2023/24 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  3 Years

Join our BA Ancient History and History degree and explore the past, from ancient Greece through Medieval Europe to Cold War Britain. 

Choose BA Ancient History and History at the University of Reading

  • Explore the richness of the classical world alongside the wide variety of human history around the globe, combining two complementary subjects to enhance your understanding of both.
  • The Department of History’s expertise covers political, social and cultural history across a wide range of regions from the medieval period to the present, from the Crusades to the 1960s. In 2022, we achieved a 94% satisfaction score for BA History (National Student Survey 2022).
  • In the Department of Classics you can examine the fascinating cultures and societies of the Greek and Roman worlds, from c. 2000 BC to AD 600. In 2022, we achieved a 92% satisfaction score for BA Ancient History (National Student Survey 2022).

A wide-ranging curriculum with a global reach

In this three-year course, you’ll address important modern questions and trace them back to their roots, exploring different periods of history through both literary and material sources. In your first year, you will develop your research and analytical skills. During your second and final years, you will be able to select modules that best fit your interests, choosing from a wide range of subjects, such as:

  • ancient civilisations of Greece, Rome, Anatolia and Egypt
  • medieval magic and the origins of the witch craze
  • the making of modern South Asia.

We place a strong emphasis on small group learning within a supportive environment, encouraging discussion and debate with academics and peers.

Tailor your degree to fit your own interests

You will enhance your knowledge of the ancient world through:

  • ancient history core modules, such as Greek History or Roman History
  • optional Latin and Greek language modules
  • hands-on experience with artefacts from the Ure Museum – the University’s collection of Greek and Egyptian antiquities.

Conversely, the history segment of the course covers the last thousand years, giving you the chance to explore different historical periods before pursuing your own interests choosing from a wide variety of modules, including:

  • The Colonial Experience: Africa
  • Anarchy in the UK: Punk, Politics and Youth Culture in Britain, 1976-84
  • Doomsday Dystopias: Nuclear Disaster in the Cold War Imagination
  • Women in American History.

You will also write a dissertation on a specialist topic of your choice, and you will receive expert help from your supervisor in managing your research and writing the final thesis.

Additionally, the University offers all students the chance to learn a modern language alongside their core subjects.

Work placement opportunities

During your studies, you’ll have the opportunity to take a work placement and apply your skills and knowledge in real-world settings. Both departments benefit from links with the Careers Centre, offering help with potential employers, CVs and letters of application.

History’s second-year module, Going Public: Presenting the Past, Planning the Future, gives students the opportunity to work with external partners in museums, and heritage and media organisations. In your final year, two optional history modules also offer placements of 10 working days in local archives and secondary schools.

Employability modules in Classics are built into your degree. You can gain valuable experience and insight in a relevant workplace through our five-day Work Experience Scheme, or work with an academic on their research through our Academic Placement module. The Department’s Ure Museum also provides voluntary placements.

Study abroad opportunities

You will be encouraged to gain direct experience of ancient sites through both independent travel, which you might finance through our annual travel bursary, and by applying to study at the British School at Athens or Rome, both offering summer school opportunities to University of Reading students.

Additionally, field trips in the UK and abroad will enable you to access new areas of history within their historical surroundings. Past examples include the National Trust in Winchester and Westminster, and further afield in Paris and Berlin.

You can also choose to spend a term in your second year at one of our partner universities in Europe, the USA, Canada or Australia. We encourage all our students to seize the opportunity to study abroad, as it can help you develop skills such as independence, knowledge of different cultures, adaptability and the ability to communicate internationally.

Overview

Join our BA Ancient History and History degree and explore the past, from ancient Greece through Medieval Europe to Cold War Britain. 

Choose BA Ancient History and History at the University of Reading

  • Explore the richness of the classical world alongside the wide variety of human history around the globe, combining two complementary subjects to enhance your understanding of both.
  • The Department of History’s expertise covers political, social and cultural history across a wide range of regions from the medieval period to the present, from the Crusades to the 1960s. In 2022, we achieved a 94% satisfaction score for BA History (National Student Survey 2022).
  • In the Department of Classics you can examine the fascinating cultures and societies of the Greek and Roman worlds, from c. 2000 BC to AD 600. In 2022, we achieved a 92% satisfaction score for BA Ancient History (National Student Survey 2022).

Learning

A wide-ranging curriculum with a global reach

In this three-year course, you’ll address important modern questions and trace them back to their roots, exploring different periods of history through both literary and material sources. In your first year, you will develop your research and analytical skills. During your second and final years, you will be able to select modules that best fit your interests, choosing from a wide range of subjects, such as:

  • ancient civilisations of Greece, Rome, Anatolia and Egypt
  • medieval magic and the origins of the witch craze
  • the making of modern South Asia.

We place a strong emphasis on small group learning within a supportive environment, encouraging discussion and debate with academics and peers.

Tailor your degree to fit your own interests

You will enhance your knowledge of the ancient world through:

  • ancient history core modules, such as Greek History or Roman History
  • optional Latin and Greek language modules
  • hands-on experience with artefacts from the Ure Museum – the University’s collection of Greek and Egyptian antiquities.

Conversely, the history segment of the course covers the last thousand years, giving you the chance to explore different historical periods before pursuing your own interests choosing from a wide variety of modules, including:

  • The Colonial Experience: Africa
  • Anarchy in the UK: Punk, Politics and Youth Culture in Britain, 1976-84
  • Doomsday Dystopias: Nuclear Disaster in the Cold War Imagination
  • Women in American History.

You will also write a dissertation on a specialist topic of your choice, and you will receive expert help from your supervisor in managing your research and writing the final thesis.

Additionally, the University offers all students the chance to learn a modern language alongside their core subjects.

Work placement opportunities

During your studies, you’ll have the opportunity to take a work placement and apply your skills and knowledge in real-world settings. Both departments benefit from links with the Careers Centre, offering help with potential employers, CVs and letters of application.

History’s second-year module, Going Public: Presenting the Past, Planning the Future, gives students the opportunity to work with external partners in museums, and heritage and media organisations. In your final year, two optional history modules also offer placements of 10 working days in local archives and secondary schools.

Employability modules in Classics are built into your degree. You can gain valuable experience and insight in a relevant workplace through our five-day Work Experience Scheme, or work with an academic on their research through our Academic Placement module. The Department’s Ure Museum also provides voluntary placements.

Study abroad opportunities

You will be encouraged to gain direct experience of ancient sites through both independent travel, which you might finance through our annual travel bursary, and by applying to study at the British School at Athens or Rome, both offering summer school opportunities to University of Reading students.

Additionally, field trips in the UK and abroad will enable you to access new areas of history within their historical surroundings. Past examples include the National Trust in Winchester and Westminster, and further afield in Paris and Berlin.

You can also choose to spend a term in your second year at one of our partner universities in Europe, the USA, Canada or Australia. We encourage all our students to seize the opportunity to study abroad, as it can help you develop skills such as independence, knowledge of different cultures, adaptability and the ability to communicate internationally.

Entry requirements A Level BBB

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, including History or a humanities-based essay subject

Humanities-based essay subjects include: Classical Civilisation, English Language, English Literature, Geography, Philosophy, Politics, Religious Studies. 

International Baccalaureate

30 points overall including 5 in History or a humanities-based essay subject

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 (Modules taken must be comparable to subject specific requirement)

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.

  • Learn more about our International Foundation programme

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.

  • Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Structure

  • Modules

We will be updating this page with module information over the coming weeks. You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250

New international students: £22,350

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

These course fees cover the cost of your tuition. 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

An Ancient History and History degree from Reading offers excellent career prospects:

  • Overall 93% of graduates from Classics are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation. (Based on our analysis of HESA data (c) HESA 2023, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21 includes first degree Classics responders)
  • Overall 94% of our History graduates are in work and/or study 15 months after the end of their course. (Based on our analysis of HESA data (c) HESA 2023, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21 includes all History responders)

With this course, you will develop essential transferable skills, including the ability to think critically, to work in a team and to communicate with confidence, making you an ideal candidate for many employers. Our previous graduates have pursued a career in a wide variety of sectors, including:

  • accountancy and banking
  • the government and the civil service
  • law
  • heritage and museums
  • teaching
  • publishing
  • public sector management
  • libraries and archives
  • media research and production.

Past employers include the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the British Museum and Sotheby’s. Other graduates have continued to postgraduate study.

Studying for a joint honours degree at the University of Reading has been invaluable to me. Going from a lecture on 5th-century BC Athens to one on Cold War politics definitely keeps my brain fresh and engaged. It allows for comparison across the centuries and enables me to see how society progresses and changes in terms of technology, warfare and plenty of other areas. It has provided me with many opportunities when it comes to my learning experience and I never feel limited, especially in choosing modules. On top of all this it has given me two departments to meet people and make friends in. I couldn't recommend it more!

Sayeda Islam
BA Ancient History and History

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

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