Ancient History

Summary

Ancient history allows you to explore the diverse stories of the ancient world and understand how this past continues to influence the modern day, from popular media to world politics.

On this course, you will explore civilisations from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome to Imperial China, late antiquity and the rise of Islam. You will gain a global perspective on the ancient world and examine how these societies influenced later history and modern life.

You will learn from a team of world-class experts including historians, archaeologists, and language specialists, exploring the past through different approaches. You can tailor your studies by choosing to study ancient languages (Latin or Greek), philosophy, art, archaeology, and digital humanities. You will study in a supportive environment where new discoveries and ideas shape your learning. Along the way, you will develop the skills to analyse evidence, question assumptions, and construct your own understanding of the ancient world.

As you progress, 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: banking, management consultancy, charities and non-governmental organisations, journalism, education, museums and heritage, galleries, publishing, media groups, local government, 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 other cultures and societies, 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.

-Gain international experience at summer schools in Greece or Italy, or through a year or semester abroad in Europe, North America, Asia, or Australia.

• Access to digital humanities facilities will allow you to study and research through cutting-edge technologies including virtual reality, 3D scanners and printers.

Student support

You will be taught by experts who take the time to know you as an individual. Through small group seminars and support from your personal tutor, you will build confidence in your ideas and your academic skills.

You will also have access to wellbeing services, peer mentoring and dedicated careers support, all within a friendly and supportive community.

Further information

BA Ancient History is a three-year full-time course based at Avenue Campus. You can choose to extend your degree with a placement year or a year abroad, graduating after four years. Find out more on our course page.

Over the three 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: 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-degree-ba#modules.

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.