Ancient History

Are you fascinated by the past? Ever wondered how ancient civilisations shaped the world we live in today?

This course takes you on an exciting journey through 2,000 years of history, from the ancient Mediterranean all the way to North Africa, Central Asia and beyond. You'll explore the intellectual, political and artistic achievements of ancient cultures, tracing their influence right up to the modern day.

You will gain a wide range of transferable skills including critical analysis, argumentation, communication, problem-solving and research, which lead to many career opportunities.

Study Ancient History at Nottingham and you will:

• Uncover the rich histories of ancient Greece and Rome and their neighbouring cultures

• Understand how the study of classics has evolved and why the legacies of the Greeks and Romans still matter today

• Develop critical thinking and analytical skills as you examine the evidence and interpretations that inform our understanding of the ancient world

• Engage in a diverse curriculum that includes history, politics, literature, philosophy, art and archaeology, providing a comprehensive understanding of ancient civilisations

• Build real-world skills through creative projects, presentations and self-directed research

Why choose this course?

1. Top ten for Classics and Ancient History in the UK (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)
   

2. 100% of students from the Department of Classics and Archaeology said the teaching staff were good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2024)
   

3. Beginners welcome! You do not need any prior experience of ancient history – our year one modules are designed to give you a university-level foundation
   

4. Option to study Ancient Greek or Latin; start from beginners’ level or continue from A-level
   

5.   Gain practical and professional experience in our on-campus Museum of Archaeology and volunteer with local schools through our Nottingham Classics Out-and-about (NoCOut) outreach programme
   

6. Study modules that develop your creative and communication skills, including ‘Communicating the Past’
   

7. Collaborate with international students in our tri-campus ‘Silk Road’ module
   

8. Explore real-world challenges across interdisciplinary themes with our ‘Engaged Arts’ optional modules
   

9. Work with our dedicated Faculty of Arts Placements Team to assist with your employability skills development via a range of placements, internships and volunteering opportunities
   

You can also access this course through a Foundation Year. This may be suitable if you have faced educational barriers and do not expect to meet the entry requirements for direct entry to a degree course. Please see the UCAS page for the relevant Foundation Year course for further information.

*Engaged Arts *

All students within the Faculty of Arts can select ‘Engaged Arts’ modules where you’ll approach real-world challenges across contemporary themes such as sustainability or equity and justice. These modules have been newly designed to help you gain the skills and analytical abilities that employers are looking for.

Learning Latin and Greek: Chloë’s experience
“I see learning ancient languages like a puzzle, and I think that helps with problem solving. I have better initiative now, because I know how something fits in Latin and Greek and that can transfer to the everyday.” – Chloë Choong, Classics BA