BA Ancient History and History
-
UCAS code
V117 -
Typical offer
BBB -
Year of entry
2023/24 -
Course duration
Full Time: 3 Years
-
Year of entry
2023/24 -
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 grade B in A level History, Ancient History, or Classical Civilisation.
International Baccalaureate
30 points overall including 5 in History at higher level
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.
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 |
---|---|---|
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 |
HS1JH1 | Journeys through History 1:Power and People | DR Daniel Renshaw |
HS1JH2 | Journeys through History 2: Culture and Concepts' | PROF Anne Lawrence |
HS1RSO | Research Skills and Opportunities in History | DR Ruth Salter |
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 |
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 Ceri Falys |
AR1FOR10 | Forensic Anthropology and the Archaeology of Death [10 credit] | DR Ceri Falys |
AR1REV | Revolutions in Human Behaviour: 4 Million Years BC to the Present | PROF Steve Mithen |
AR1REV10 | Revolutions in Human Behaviour: 4 Million Years BC to the Present [10 credits] | 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 |
EC110 | The Economics of Climate Change | DR Stefania Lovo |
FT1ATF | Approaches to Film | DR Adam O'Brien |
FT1ATP | Analysing Theatre and Performance | DR Matt McFrederick |
FT1CSS | Comedy on Stage and Screen | DR Simone Knox |
IL1GICC | Intercultural Competence and Communication | MS Joan McCormack |
LA1PK1 | IWLP Modern Greek 1 | PROF Timothy Duff |
MC1HPE | Museum History, Policy and Ethics | DR Rhi Smith |
MC1PP | Presenting the Past | DR Rhi Smith |
ML1IL | Introduction to Linguistics | MR Federico Faloppa |
MT1CC | The Science of Climate Change | PROF Nigel Arnell |
PO1INE | Inequality | DR Jonathan Golub |
PO1WAR | War and Warfare | DR Vladimir Rauta |
PP1GJ | Global Justice | DR Shalini Sinha |
PP1ML | The Meaning of Life | DR George Mason |
PP1RP | Radical Philosophy | PROF Maximilian De Gaynesford |
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.
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
CL2AE | Ancient Epic | DR Christa Gray |
CL2AEL | Ancient Egyptian Language and Hieroglyphs | DR Hana Navratilova |
CL2AF | Ancient World on Film | DR Dimitra Tzanidaki-Kreps |
CL2AGW | Ancient Greek Warfare | DR Emma Aston |
CL2APL | Academic Work Placement | DR Emma Aston |
CL2CGH | Greek History: Persian Wars to Alexander | DR Emma Aston |
CL2DR | Ancient Drama | PROF Barbara Goff |
CL2EGR | Egypt and the Greco-Roman World | PROF Ian Rutherford |
CL2G2 | Ancient Greek 2 (I) | MRS Doukissa Kamini |
CL2G3 | Ancient Greek 3 (I) | DR Dimitra Tzanidaki-Kreps |
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 | DR Emma Aston |
CL2RME | Rome's Mediterranean Empire; A World of Cities | DR Andrew Souter |
CL2RO | Roman History: From Republic to Empire | PROF Annalisa Marzano |
HS2GPP | Going Public: Presenting the Past, Planning the Future | PROF Kate Williams |
HS2HAD | Historical Approaches and My Dissertation | MISS Liz Barnes |
HS2INT | Intellectuals and Society in Twentieth Century Italy | PROF Daniela La Penna |
HS2O10 | The Colonial Experience: Africa, 1879 to 1980 | DR Heike Schmidt |
HS2O12 | Belief and Unbelief in Europe: Religion, Science and the Supernatural c.1400-1800 | PROF Joël Félix |
HS2O14 | Rebel Girls: The Influence of Radical Women 1792-1919 | DR Jacqui Turner |
HS2O16 | ‘The brightest jewel in the British crown’: The Making of Modern South Asia, 1757-1947 | DR Rohan Deb Roy |
HS2O19 | Europe in the Twentieth Century | DR Daniel Renshaw |
HS2O21 | Utopia: the Quest for a Perfect World | DR Jeremy Burchardt |
HS2O3 | People, power and revolution: political culture in seventeenth-century England | DR Rachel Foxley |
HS2O53 | The American Civil War | MISS Liz Barnes |
HS2O55 | American Century: United States history since 1898 | DR Mara Oliva |
HS2O56 | Medieval Medicine | DR Ruth Salter |
HS2O57 | Encountering the Atlantic World, 1450-1850 | DR Richard Blakemore |
HS2O7 | Kingship and Crisis in England, c.1154–1330 | DR Elizabeth Matthew |
HS2STA | Society, Thought and Art in Modern Europe | DR Veronica Heath |
HS2UNR | Unity, Nationalism and Regionalism in Europe | DR Athena Leoussi |
AR2M8 | Medieval Europe: power, religion and death | DR Gabor Thomas |
ED2TS1 | Development of transferable skills through a school placement 1 | DR Caroline Foulkes |
MC2CCM | Curatorship and Collections Management | DR Rhi Smith |
MC2LE | Museum Learning and Engagement | DR Rhi Smith |
MM2101 | Founder Dilemmas | DR Norbert Morawetz |
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.
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 | DR Hana Navratilova |
CL3AP | Greek & Roman Painting | PROF Amy Smith |
CL3BSR | British School at Rome Undergraduate Summer School | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
CL3DN | Dissertation in Classics | DR Emma Aston |
CL3DP | Preparation for Dissertation in Classics | DR Emma Aston |
CL3EGY | History and Culture of New Kingdom Egypt | DR Hana Navratilova |
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 |
CL3INP | Independent Third Year Project | DR 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 |
CL3MT | Modern Tragedy | PROF Barbara Goff |
CL3RA | ‘Race’ in the Ancient Greek and Roman Worlds | PROF Barbara Goff |
HS3CCO | Crisis, Change, Opportunity: Italy from 1968 to the Present | PROF Daniela La Penna |
HS3DAC | Discovering Archives and Collections | DR Jacqui Turner |
HS3HED | History Education | DR Elizabeth Matthew |
HS3HLD | Dissertation in History | DR Heike Schmidt |
HS3T100 | Sexual Politics: Gender, Sex, and Feminism in Britain after 1918 | DR Natalie Thomlinson |
HS3T101 | Pirates of the Caribbean: Empire, Slavery, and Society, 1550-1750 | DR Richard Blakemore |
HS3T102 | Melancholy Medicine: Healing the Body and Mind in Early Modern England, 1570-1730 | MS Amie Bolissian McRae |
HS3T25 | Medieval Magic and the Origins of the Witch-Craze | PROF Anne Lawrence |
HS3T88 | The Romantic Revolution: Culture, Environment and Society in England, c.1790-c.1900 | DR Jeremy Burchardt |
HS3T89 | Africa from European Settlement to Nelson Mandela | DR Heike Schmidt |
HS3T90 | Poor Law to Hostile Environment: Repatriation, Deportation and Exclusion from Britain 1800-2016 | DR Daniel Renshaw |
HS3T91 | Politics and Popular Culture: Post-Arab Spring Egypt | DR Dina Rezk |
HS3T92 | Policing the United States | MISS Liz Barnes |
AR3HCP | The Anthropology of Heritage and Cultural Property | DR Alanna Cant |
AR3M7 | The Archaeology of Crusading | DR Aleks Pluskowski |
AR3R9 | Archaeology of the City of Rome | DR Philippa Walton |
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
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 © HESA 2022, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20; includes first degree Classics responders)
- Overall 92% of our History graduates are in work and/or study 15 months after the end of their course. (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20; First Degree responders from History)
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.