Ancient History BA
Imperialist titans, gladiatorial battles, and the political skulduggery of Ancient Greece – the ancient world is truly fascinating. In this degree, you'll come face-to-face with the societies and cultures of antiquity, take one step closer to unravelling the past, and prepare yourself for a career in the modern world.
Ancient History BA, 3-4 years
Typical offer ABB
UK fee £9,250
UCAS code V112
International fee £19,750
Institute code L34
Taught by Archaeology and Ancient History
Archaeology and Ancient History facilities
97% of students in work or further study six months after graduating (The Uni Guide)
Archaeology and Ancient History website
The BA in Ancient History offers you the chance to engage with the history of the classical world. From the Greek city-states to the Roman Empire, from kingdoms in the Near East to networks in North Africa, you will have the chance to explore a fascinating and crucial chapter of our human past.
You will learn about the societies and cultures of antiquity, and investigate the way these changed over time. You will be introduced to key historical frameworks and discover a wide range of sources that bring you face-to-face with the ancient world, from literary texts to ancient artefacts. A range of option modules, combined with detailed research projects and a dissertation in your final year, will allow you to gain subject knowledge and follow your own interests. You will have the opportunity to gain experience with local heritage organisations and schools through Year 3 module placements and our accredited internship programme.
A/AS-levels: ABB. Two AS-levels can be considered in place of one A-level. General Studies or Critical Thinking accepted.
EPQ with A-levels: BBB + EPQ at grade B.
Access to HE Diploma: Pass Diploma with 45 credits at level 3, 30 of which must be at Distinction.
International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 30 points.
BTEC Nationals: Pass Diploma with DDM.
T Levels: Merit. All T Levels considered
Other national and international qualifications welcomed.
Second Year Entry may be possible with suitable qualifications.
When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the course and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous exam results.
Applicants are not normally interviewed. If you receive an offer you will be invited to visit the department.
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Starting in 2023
£9,250 in your first year. Tuition fees are subject to government regulations and may change in future years
Year Abroad: your fee will be £1,250 for that year
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
Year Abroad: £4,937.50, which is 25% of the full-time tuition fee
If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
From 2022 onwards, EU nationals will pay the International fee. If you are an EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme, you may qualify for the UK fee (subject to criteria).
All our degrees provide transferable skills in communication, presentation, critical analysis and teamwork. This will be critical for your future career, whether it is in historical studies or in one of the wide range of professions that attract our graduates. It doesn't matter if you have little or no previous experience of ancient history; we have designed our courses for maximum flexibility. This allows you to choose how you want to specialise or diversify as your knowledge and understanding develop.
Our dedicated work experience and outreach staff will organise placements for you in schools, heritage organisations, museums, archives, and on external projects – complementing the volunteering provision within the University.
You will undertake a placement/project in a school or heritage setting where you will work with your teacher/heritage mentor to gain a range of experience and to design and deliver a lesson plan or outreach activity. These modules provide an excellent foundation for a PGCE or a career in heritage management
You will undertake a placement/project in a school or heritage setting where you will work with your teacher/heritage mentor to gain a range of experience and to design and deliver a lesson plan or outreach activity. These modules provide an excellent foundation for a PGCE or a career in heritage management.
We also offer Archaeology and Classics in the Community internships.
Interns support the introduction of archaeology and classics in local state schools, providing a wide range of enrichment opportunities based on our research. A programme of school and campus-based activities, training and mentoring delivered in partnership with the University's School of Education, develops skills which are essential for careers in teaching, heritage and museums.
Graduates from our Archaeology and Ancient History degrees have gone on to work for a wide range of employers including:
Bahrain National Museum
Council for British Archaeology
University Of Leicester Archaeological Services
Career Development Service
Get career-ready at Leicester with guidance from our award-winning Career Development Service. We're here to give you a lifetime offer of support, even after graduation. Our team of specialist careers advisers and mentors will help you every step of the way. From supporting you with CVs and interviews, to volunteering opportunities and placements, we're here to help you reach your professional goals.
Ancient History and Archaeology
BA, 3-4 years
Ancient History and History
We are committed to providing skills and knowledge to help prepare you tackle global challenges. We have mapped our undergraduate degrees for learning which aligns to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
This degree includes learning which relates to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Goal 13: Climate action
Find out more about the UN Sustainable Development Goals
You will be introduced to Greek and Roman history, as well as key types of source material available for studying the classical world including literature and art, inscriptions, coins and material culture. You will also learn about the broader contexts of Greco-Roman antiquity, exploring the diverse societies of the ancient world beyond the Mediterranean from Iron Age Europe to pharaonic Egypt, and from ancient Mesopotamia to the Berbers.
Approaching Ancient Evidence (Greek)
Introduction to Greek History
An Introduction to World Archaeology BC
The Ancient World Beyond the Mediterranean
Approaching Ancient Evidence (Roman)
Introduction to Roman History
An Introduction to World Archaeology AD
Introduction to Classical Culture
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
To develop your skills further, you will undertake an in-depth source project and learn about a wide range of approaches and methods for studying the past. You will be able to choose from a range of option modules covering Greek, Roman and Near Eastern antiquity. You may also take an option module in Latin to improve both your language skills and your knowledge of Latin literature.
Sources, Method, and Theory for Ancient History
Option modules
Choose three option modules from:
The Age of Augustus
The Ancient Near East
Greek History in 40 Lives
Archaeology of the Roman Empire
Plus three option modules from:
Classical and Hellenistic Greek States
Classical and Post-classical Latin
Roman Social History and the Roman Family
Religion in the Roman World
Celts, Britons and Barbarians: Iron Age Europe in context
Heritage Skills
The Medieval Mediterranean World
Year Abroad (optional)
We'll make sure you have everything you need for your future career: not just by awarding you a high quality degree, but also by helping you to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to make your mark in the world as a Citizen of Change. One way you can do this is by opting to take a Year Abroad between Years 2 and 3 of your degree.
Studying abroad is not just for people who are interested in travelling and meeting new people. It is about acquiring life skills that are becoming increasingly significant for a wide range of jobs in our modern globalised society. Whether you go on to a career in the private, public or third sector - or plough your own furrow as an entrepreneur – you will find the experience invaluable.
For more information, including a list of destinations, please visit our Study Abroad website.
A year spent abroad still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details.
You may be eligible for a travel grant from Student Finance England.
Places are offered on a competitive basis, and eligibility is dependent on your academic performance in Years 1 and 2.
Language courses, at beginners or advanced level, are available through our Languages at Leicester scheme.
You will write a dissertation on a topic of your choice, within the field of Ancient History. The rest of the modules are up to you. This gives you the opportunity to tailor the degree to the areas and periods that most interest you.
Dissertation Part 1 and 2 (BA Ancient History and History) (double module)
Households and Domesticity in the Ancient World
Textiles, Dress and Identity in the Roman World
Great Greek Monuments
Early Christian Europe
Warfare, Conflict and Violence in the Human Past
Sparta and the Greek World
The Roman Labyrinth: Crete under the Emperors
The Fall of the Roman Republic
Archaeology and Ancient History in Education
Why Leicester?
Archaeology Facilities
Job prospects are excellent: 98% of our Ancient History students are employed (or studying for a Masters degree) six months after graduating. (DLHE)
The broad range of interests among our many staff means you won't be limited geographically or temporally, with specialists ranging from the ancient Mediterranean and beyond, to 18th century slavery studies and modern US politics.
Our academic staff have written or edited dozens of books and publish regularly in major national and international journals. Where other people only get to read what our experts think, you will be working directly with them, learning from them in lectures and questioning them in seminars.
Through the University's 'Languages at Leicester' programme you can study ancient languages like Latin or Greek or learn or enhance your modern language skills, from French to Spanish to Russian. Courses run from beginner to advanced level and can really add to your CV.
Ancient History at Leicester
Hear from one of our students, Jo, about her experience studying Ancient History
See the types of texts you might read, over the summer, to get a feel for the course and arrive prepared and ready to go.
View a reading list for Archaeology and Ancient History degrees
You will be taught by a variety of methods, ranging from large lectures to seminars to individual tutorials. Lectures are used to provide historical narrative and to raise key historical questions and areas of debate. Seminars are where you share your opinion about those debates and put forward your interpretation of history.
Assessment is through exams and essays, source analyses, group projects and presentations.
When not attending lectures, seminars or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. To help with your independent learning, you can access the Library and our social study spaces in halls of residence.
Your contact hours will depend on the option modules you select. However, we have a range of clubs and volunteering opportunities which mean you can spend all the time you want involved in the subjects you love! You can see details of the contact hours on individual module pages.
Our Student Learning Development Team provides help in the following areas:
study and exam skills
numerical data skills
referencing sources
Our AccessAbility Centre offers support and practical help for students with dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties, including physical, mental health or mobility difficulties, deafness, or visual impairment.
You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. PhD research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader. Our teaching is informed by the research we do. You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.
UCAS Code
Course Ancient History Qualification BA Duration 3 years Attendance Full-time UCAS Code V112 Availability How to apply
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Having that connection with the physical remains of the past really captures the imagination.