Course summary
About this course Study Ancient History to learn about the ancient world and understand the foundations of how we live today. The ancient world profoundly influenced subsequent generations of history, and studying antiquity offers you a way of understanding today’s world. Learn from experts on the ancient world (including history, archaeology, ancient and modern languages and literatures, philosophy and film). Explore chosen areas of ancient history ranging from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome to Imperial China, late antiquity, and the rise of Islam. You will not only learn about the ancient world, but develop the skills to explore its past yourself, including the option to learn ancient languages. This degree will equip you with a range of employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business. Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including: local council libraries, universities, schools, colleges, museums, galleries, publishing, media groups, local government, heritage service providers, national government, the police, law firms, hospitality, and tourism. Key features of the course
- Join a department ranked 10th for History research quality in the Complete University Guide, 2026.
- Choose from a wide range of topics covering Greece and Rome, as well as a range of other areas, from ancient Egypt and Persia to Imperial China and late antiquity. You will also study the afterlife and reception of the ancient world in the modern day.
- Access to digital humanities facilities will allow you to study and research through cutting-edge technology, such as virtual reality, 3D scanners and printers, and a 360 degree fully immersive audio-visual centre.
- Spend a year abroad at a university in Europe, the United States, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea or Australia in your third year.
Modules
Over the four years of this Ancient History course, you will get skilled in working with a great variety of sources for the ancient world, both written and material, and you have the opportunity to shape the programme to your own interests through a wide range of option modules. Year 1: An introduction to the ancient world and its source materials, with options to cover topics such as the emergence of civilisation, Alexander the Great, or the Romans in Britain. Year 2: Learn about public history and carry out a group research project. This will develop your team working, communication and problem-solving skills. There is also a range of options to explore, from Myth and the Ancient World to Imperial China, and you can start learning an ancient language (Latin or Greek). Year 3: Year Abroad Year 4: Focus on developing your ideas for your dissertation and specialise in the topics that interest you most. You will also have opportunities to tailor your learning through student-selected units and an elective placement. For a full list of modules available please visit the course page - https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/ancient-history-with-year-abroad-degree-ba#moduless.
Assessment method
On this course you will learn through a range of activities that may include lectures, classes and tutorials, coursework, individual and group projects, and independent learning (studying on your own). You will be able to demonstrate what you have learnt through a variety of assessment methods, such as dissertations, essays, individual and group projects, oral presentations, teamwork and written exams. You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor who will offer support and advice throughout your studies. You will also receive feedback throughout your course, enabling you to identify areas for improvement before your work is formally assessed
How to apply
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:
- V1V6
- Institution code:
- S27
- Campus name:
- Main Site - Highfield Campus
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
Find out about equivalent entry requirements and qualifications for your country: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/international/your-country.page
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - AAB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Higher
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D
Scottish Advanced Higher
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 34 points
WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales - B
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H1, H2, H2, H2, H2, H2
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - D3, D3, M2
GCSE/National 4/National 5
We welcome applicants with other qualifications eg. European Baccalaureate. You will be expected to attain an A level equivalent standard. The University of Southampton requires all applicants to achieve at least a Grade 4 in English and Mathematics GCSEs (taken in England) or a Grade C in both subjects (where taken in Northern Ireland or Wales). Some degree subjects stipulate specific additional GCSE minimum grades, which will be specified as part of the individual degree programme entry requirements. For more details on the suitability of your qualifications or foundation programme please contact the Faculty of Arts and Humanities Admissions Team at [email protected]
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | with no component below 6.0 |
All programmes at the University of Southampton are taught and assessed in the medium of English (other than those in modern foreign languages). Therefore, all applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency.
Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/language.page
Student Outcomes
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535* | Year 1 |
| EU | £25500 | Year 1 |
| International | £25500 | 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
Provider information
University of Southampton
Highfield
Southampton
SO17 1BJ
