Durham University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
This Joint Honours degree enables you to combine Ancient History modules from the Department of Classics and Ancient History with those offered by the Department of Archaeology. The balance is broadly equal, but as you progress through your course you will have several opportunities to follow your particular interests in one or both areas. Your dissertation provides a further opportunity to concentrate your studies in an area that captures your imagination. In Year 1 you will be introduced to the world of the ancient Greeks and early Imperial Rome, seen from a variety of perspectives (not just historical) and through different forms of evidence. This will prepare you for a wide range of more specifically historical modules about politics and society in the ancient world. Studying on this course will give you a wider perspective on these related subject areas, allowing you to fully explore the connections between archaeological discovery and historical context. The course offers an optional study abroad element, where you may spend the third year of a four-year course studying at a European university. You can also put your learning into practice by applying to add a placement year to your degree.
Modules
Year 1 Core modules: Monuments and Memory in the Age of Augustus provides an introduction to, and a basis for further study of, Roman history and culture and Latin literature. It investigates a central, transitional epoch in the history of ancient Rome from an interdisciplinary perspective. Introduction to the Greek World introduces ancient Greek history, society, and thought, by focusing on how classical Athenians engaged with their past. It explores the central themes, topics and terminology in the study of Archaic and Classical Greece. Archaeology in Britain gives you a wide-ranging introduction to how archaeologists work, how sites are found and excavated, how archaeological information is generated, theorised and interpreted, and the issues facing archaeology today. It will give you the study skills needed for library work, essays, tutorials and computing. The module also gives a brief overview of British archaeology by period, from the Neolithic to the present day. Cities in Antiquity gives you a broad overview of the archaeology of the Greco-Roman world from 800 BC to AD 400. It also gives you the opportunity to develop your knowledge and to practice your evaluative skills through essay writing and a written examination. In recent years, optional modules have included: Intermediate Latin/Greek Early Greek Philosophy Language, Translation, Interpretation The Craft of the Ancient Historian Lives of Objects – Greek and Roman Antiquity Ancient Civilisations: Sources, Approaches and Methods Discovering World Prehistory Ancient Civilisations of the East Medieval to Modern: An Introduction to the Archaeology of the Medieval to Post Medieval World
Assessment method
On this course you will be assessed through your coursework, traditional skills and presentations, as well as through hands-on practical exercises, In the final year you will write a dissertation, led by independent research and supported by one-on-one supervision, and this makes up one-third of your final-year marks.
How to apply
29Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- VF14
- Institution code:
- D86
- Campus name:
- Durham City
- Campus code:
- O
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
Durham has a long and proud history of welcoming students from countries across the globe.https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/international/
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - AAB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDD
Access to HE Diploma - D: 30 credits M: 15 credits
Scottish Higher - AAABB
Scottish Advanced Higher - AAB
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 36 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015) - Not accepted
Extended Project - Not accepted
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H2, H2, H3
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - D3, D3, M2
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - DDD
T Level
We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements and from mature students with non-standard qualifications or who may have had a break in their study.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
English language requirements
Durham University welcomes applications from all students irrespective of background. We encourage the recruitment of academically well-qualified and highly motivated students, who are non-native speakers of English, whose full potential can be realised with a limited amount of English Language training either prior to entry or through pre-sessional and/or in-sessional courses. It is the normal expectation that candidates for admission should be able to demonstrate satisfactory English proficiency before the start of a programme of study, whether via the submission of an appropriate English language qualification or by attendance on an appropriate pre-sessional course. Acceptable evidence and levels required can be viewed by following the link provided.
English language requirements
https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
| EU | £25750* | Year 1 |
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| International | £25750* | Year 1 |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
The tuition fees for 2025/26 academic year have not yet been finalised, they will be displayed here once approved.
The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full-time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.
The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full-time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).
There may also be additional course costs for things like books (if you want to purchase them), field trips etc.
Sponsorship information
We're committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances. https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/scholarships/
Provider information
Durham University
The Palatine Centre
Stockton Road
Durham
DH1 3LE