About this course
Follow your interests in ancient history and gain specialist knowledge in your chosen areas of study. We offer you an engaging, supportive and successful research environment to study in. You'll learn about the ancient world and explore the foundations of how we live today. You'll spend a year abroad to experience another culture and gain new perspectives.
Ancient history is an interdisciplinary field, so you can study topics that you’re already passionate about, or choose to try something new.
You’ll have the choice of a wide range of topics from ancient Egypt to the rise of Islam in the Middle East. You can also explore what happened during the conquests of Alexander the Great and at the end of the Roman Empire.
You'll spend your third year at a university abroad in Europe, the United States, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea or Australia
On this course you can:
learn from experts in the ancient world (including history, archaeology, ancient and modern languages and literatures, philosophy and film)
carry out archaeological fieldwork and take part in study tours
develop your research and dissertation skills
learn Latin and Ancient Greek
You can download the course details, including modules, in the programme specificationPDF opens in a new window (PDF, 320.28 KB).
Location and awarding body
The course location is Avenue campus in Southampton. The awarding body is University of Southampton.
Entry requirements
A-levels
AAB including a Humanities subject*
A-levels additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. *A Humanities subject includes subjects such as History, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects.
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in a Humanities subject*
International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information
*A Humanities subject includes subjects such as History, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects. Applications where Higher Level subjects have been studied without the full Diploma, will also be considered on a case by case basis.
BTEC
Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Diploma plus A in an A level Humanities subject*.
Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus A in an A level Humanities subject*
Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus A in an A level Humanities subject* and A in one further A level
BTEC additional information
*A Humanities subject includes subjects such as History, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects.
Other qualifications
A-levels with Extended Project Qualification
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer:
ABB including a Humanities subject* and grade A in the EPQ
A-levels contextual offer
Students who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows:
ABB including a Humanities subject*
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) offer
Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) StatementPDF opens in a new window (PDF, 62.17 KB) for further information.
Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
BTEC (RQF) (reformed)
Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Extended Diploma plus A in an A level Humanities subject*.
Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Diploma plus A in an A level Humanities subject*
Distinction in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus A in an A level Humanities subject* and A in one further A level
Access to HE Diploma
60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 39 must be at Distinction and 6 credits at Merit, to include 6 Distinctions in a Humanities subject*
Access to HE Diploma additional information
*A Humanities subject includes subjects such as History, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects.
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)
H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 including a Humanities subject*
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)
A2 A2 A2 B1 B1 B1 including a Humanities subject*
Irish Leaving Certificate additional information
*A Humanities subject includes subjects such as History, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects.
Scottish Qualification offers
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF, 111.01 KB) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Cambridge Pre-U
D3 D3 M2 in three principal subjects including a Humanities subject*
Cambridge Pre-U additional information
*A Humanities subject includes subjects such as History, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects.
Welsh Baccalaureate
AAB from 3 A levels including a Humanities subject*
or
AA from two A levels including a Humanities subject* and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
Welsh Baccalaureate additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. *A Humanities subject includes subjects such as History, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects.
European Baccalaureate
80% overall including grade 8 in a Humanities subject*
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
English language requirements
All applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency. Applicants requiring a visa to study in the UK who do not offer GCSE English language (or GCSE English) at the required level will need to meet the following English language proficiency requirement. Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements.
Band C IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in all components
IELTS score requirements
- reading
- 6
- writing
- 6
- speaking
- 6
- listening
- 6
We also accept other English language tests.
Non-academic entry requirements
There are no additional requirements
International qualifications
Find a list of accepted international qualifications listed by country.
This is a list of the international qualifications that are recognised by the University of Southampton. If you are not sure that your qualifications meet the requirements of this course please contact our Admissions Teams.
Other ways to qualify
You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need. Find out more about:
our Access to Southampton scheme for students living permanently in the UK (including residential summer school, application support and scholarship)
skills you might have gained through work or other life experiences (otherwise known as recognition of prior learning)
Find out more about our Admissions Policy.
Course structure
Each year is made up of a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You’ll have the opportunity to study archaeological methods and carry out fieldwork to enhance your understanding of the ancient world.
You'll spend your third year abroad. You'll record your experiences in a blog and produce an end of year report.
You’ll be able to broaden your experience beyond ancient history by selecting:
language modules, Latin or ancient Greek
You do not need to choose your modules when you apply. We'll guide you through the process before you start.
Year 1
Compulsory modules provide an introduction to the ancient world and its source materials.
You’ll choose from optional modules, covering topics such as the emergence of civilisation, Alexander the Great, or the Romans in Britain.
Year 2
Optional modules include myths in the ancient world, or ancient Rome from an archaeological perspective. You’ll also carry out a group research project and prepare for your year abroad.
Year 3
You’ll study for a year at one of our partner institutions. Locations include:
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
France
Germany
Norway
Poland
You can arrange an approved work placement as an alternative to study.
Year 4
The Reading Histories module in semester 1 will help you to shape your ideas for your dissertation. You’ll work closely with a group who are interested in a similar historical period to critically engage with key literature and historiographical approaches.
You can also choose from specialist module options. These include Ancient Egypt, the Emperor Julian, or urbanisation in Ancient Rome.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
Modules year 1
Compulsory modules
You must take the following compulsory modules in year 1:
- Ancient History: Sources and Controversies
- Introduction to the Ancient World
- Wonderful things: World history in 40 objects
Optional modules
You can choose from the following optional modules in year 1:
- Alexander the Great and His Legacy
- Ancient Greek Language Stage 1A
- Ancient Greek Language Stage 1B
- Ancient Greek Philosophy
- Ancient and Medieval Worlds
- Archaeological Methods for Fieldwork and Analysis
- Consuls, Dictators & Emperors
- Death in the Ancient World
- Emergence of Civilisation: domesticating ourselves and others
- Emperor Constantine the Great: From Just Church to State Church
- How the Arts Work: a practical introduction to cultural economics
- Introduction to Ethnography: Food and Culture
- Landscapes and Seascapes of Britain’s Past
- Latin Language Stage 1A
- Latin Language Stage 1B
- Literary Transformations
- Society, Culture and Space
- The End of the World: Apocalyptic Visions of History
- The Roman Army in Britain: life on the northern frontier
Modules year 2
Compulsory modules
You must take the following compulsory modules in year 2:
Optional modules
You can choose from the following optional modules in year 2:
- Ancient Greek Language Stage 1A
- Ancient Greek Language Stage 1B
- Ancient Greek Language Stage 2A
- Ancient Greek Language Stage 2B
- Ancient Greeks at War
- Ancient Rome: the First Metropolis
- Arabian Nights and Days: The World of the 1001 Nights
- Body and Society
- How the Arts Work: a practical introduction to cultural economics
- Introduction to Ethnography: Food and Culture
- Landscapes of Conflict
- Latin Language Stage 1A
- Latin Language Stage 1B
- Latin Language Stage 2A
- Latin Language Stage 2B
- Maritime Archaeology
- Myth and the Ancient World
- Rebels with a Cause: The Historical Origins of Christianity
- Roman Emperors and Imperial Lives
- Self-inflicted - Extreme Violence, Politics and Power
- The Life and Afterlife of the Vikings
- The power of Rome: Europe’s first empire
Modules year 3
Compulsory modules
You must take the following compulsory modules in year 3:
Modules year 4
Compulsory modules
You must take the following compulsory modules in year 4:
Optional modules
You can choose from the following optional modules in year 4:
- A Short History of the Homosexual
- Emperor Julian and the Last Pagans of Rome Part 1, Julian: hero and apostate
- Emperor Julian and the Last Pagans of Rome Part 2, Julian: hero and apostate
- Framing the Past:Stardom, History and Heritage in the Cinema
- How the Arts Work: a practical introduction to cultural economics
- Islamic Philosophy
- Islands and Empires in the Ancient Aegean, Part 1: Ruling the Waves
- Islands and Empires in the Ancient Aegean, Part 2: Island Societies
- Later Anglo-Saxon England
- Living with the Romans: Urbanism in the Roman Empire
- More than Pyramids & Pharaohs? Ancient Egypt in Context
Learning and assessment
The learning activities for this course include the following:
- lectures
- classes and tutorials
- coursework
- individual and group projects
- independent learning (studying on your own)
Support for your studies
You'll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.
How you’ll spend your study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study, year by year:
Year 1
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 14%
- Independent study
- 86%
- Placement
- 0%
Year 2
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 13%
- Independent study
- 87%
- Placement
- 0%
Year 3
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 0%
- Independent study
- 100%
- Placement
- 0%
Year 4
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 12%
- Independent study
- 88%
- Placement
- 0%
Course leader
Sarah Pearce is the course leader.
How we’ll assess you
We’ll assess you using:
- dissertations
- individual and group projects
- written and practical exams
- written exams
Your assessment breakdown, year by year:
Year 1
- Written exam
- 30%
- Practical exam
- 0%
- Coursework
- 70%
Year 2
- Written exam
- 50%
- Practical exam
- 0%
- Coursework
- 50%
Year 3
- Written exam
- 0%
- Practical exam
- 0%
- Coursework
- 100%
Year 4
- Written exam
- 50%
- Practical exam
- 0%
- Coursework
- 50%
Careers
Your year abroad will give you valuable experience to bring to your chosen career.
You'll graduate with transferable skills, including the ability to:
assess evidence and arguments
present your opinions clearly and concisely
work independently or as part of a group
manage your time and workload effectively
Our ancient history graduates have gone into a wide range of industries and professions, including roles such as:
archivist
heritage manager
historic buildings inspector
conservation officer
museum curator
museum exhibitions officer
secondary school teacher
civil servant
Careers services at Southampton
We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2019). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.
Fees, costs and funding
UK/EU fees
You'll pay £9,250 in tuition fees for the academic year 2020 to 2021. This fee might change for further years of your course.
International student fees
You’ll pay £17,560 each year. This fee will stay the same throughout your studies.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.
Find out how to:
Extra costs you might have to pay
- Placements (including Study Abroad Programmes)
- Stationery
- Hardware
- Textbooks
- Computer discs or USB drives
- Software Licenses
- Printing and Photocopying Costs
- Laboratory Equipment and Materials
See the full list of extra items and costs in the programme specificationPDF opens in a new window 2020 to 2021 (PDF, 320.28 KB).
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
Bursaries, scholarships and other funding
If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.
If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.
Get in touch for advice about student money matters.
Scholarships and grants
You may be able to get a scholarship or grant that's linked to your chosen subject area.
We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Support during your course
The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.
Funding for international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
University life
The University offers a friendly, diverse and welcoming home for you while you study. You'll work, live and socialise with students from more than 130 countries.
Clubs, societies and facilities
Our campuses have:
cafes and restaurants
bars
health centres
banks
a post office
student shops
a hairdresser
Our sports facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, a gym with 140 fitness stations, squash courts, a bouldering wall, outdoor pitches and much more. There are over 80 sports clubs you could join, and activity classes including yoga and spin.
We have an internationally known theatre, concert hall, art gallery and cinema showing everything from mainstream blockbusters to international arthouse classics. You could perform at a gig, concert or show, take part in an exhibition or join a writers’ workshop. Find out more about arts and culture at Southampton.
Whatever your passion or community, you can find like-minded people at one of the Students’ Union clubs and societies. There are more than 200 to join, and social activities in every hall of residence.
Support while you study
We aim to help you deal with any problems you might come across, so you can make the most of your time at university. We offer support with:
mental health, learning difficulties and disability
money and accommodation
childcare
computers and IT
How to apply
When you apply use:
UCAS Course Code: V1V6
UCAS Institution Code: S27
What happens after you apply
We will assess your application on the strength of your:
- predicted grades
- academic achievements
- personal statement
- academic reference
We aim to respond to you within 2 to 6 weeks with a decision about your application.
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.