Ancient Civilisations

Our Ancient Civilisations programme lets you explore the histories and cultures of the ancient world. You will learn about many different ancient cultures, including those of Ancient Egypt, the Near East, the Graeco-Roman world, the Bronze Age and Ancient China. This course will allow you to compare and contrast diverse cultures from across the globe.

This programme introduces you to the rich and varied nature of ancient societies. You will discover how different historical methodologies and approaches help us understand the peoples and cultures of the past. The course covers both ancient history and archaeology, offering a broad view of the ancient world.

Through comparative and interdisciplinary study, you will gain a deeper knowledge of the past. You will learn about the key debates and ideas that have shaped our understanding of ancient societies. These include the historical, cultural, military, and philosophical foundations of a variety of ancient civilisations.

In this programme, you will explore the ancient Mediterranean region, home to many great cultures and ideas. You will also study ancient art, literature, and philosophy, which offer unique insights into how ancient peoples thought and lived. These subjects will help you see how ancient cultures have influenced the modern world.

You will explore the breadth and variety of archaeological remains, sites and evidence, across different regions, applying the principles and methods of archaeology and history in these areas, while developing a critical understanding of the problematic and varied nature of historical and archaeological evidence.

The course is designed to be engaging and interactive, helping you develop skills that are valuable in many careers. Whether you are interested in history, archaeology, or the arts, you will learn how to think critically and communicate effectively, skills that are important in many fields.

By studying ancient civilisations, you will not only learn about the past but also gain a better understanding of the present. You will see how the achievements and challenges of ancient societies continue to shape our world today. This course will help you become a more informed and thoughtful global citizen.

Whether you are fascinated by ancient Egypt’s pyramids, the philosophical ideas of the Graeco-Roman world, or the wisdom of ancient China, this programme has something for you. Join us on a journey through time and discover the wonders of ancient civilisations. This is an opportunity to explore ancient history in a way that is both educational and inspiring.

Our Ancient Civilisations programme invites students to explore the past by engaging deeply with ancient cultures and traditions. Students gain insights into the philosophies, military practices, and beliefs of ancient societies through archaeology, history, and culture. This approach equips students with a comprehensive understanding of how ancient peoples shaped their world and ours.

Year 1
In Year 1, students explore foundational topics in ancient civilisations, examining the Mediterranean and Near East regions, and everyday life in Athens and Rome. Core modules include studying the essentials of civilisation and the humanities, while optional courses allow students to explore hieroglyphs, mythology, and ancient philosophy. This year provides a broad introduction to the ancient world.

Compulsory
From Egypt to the Near East: phenomena of the Mediterranean (20 Credits)
Exploring the Humanities (20 Credits)
Everyday Life in Athens and Rome (20 credits)
What makes civilisation? (20 credits)

Optional
Hieroglyphs 1 (20 credits)
Into the Field (20 credits)
Myths and Mythology: How Stories Shape the World (20 Credits)
Ancient Philosophy (20 credits)
Death, Burial and the Afterlife (20 Credits)

Year 2
Year 2 delves deeper into specific ancient cultures and their modern representations. Core modules focus on Ancient Egypt and its art, while optional courses explore Pompeii, Sparta, and the Roman world. Students can study mythology, Latin, and Greek. This year encourages students to analyse interactions between Ancient societies.

Compulsory
Exhibiting the Past: Ancient Egypt, death and modern representation (20 credits)
Art and Ancient Egypt 4000BC to the 2020ies: Exhibiting artistic representations (20 Credits)

Optional
Hieroglyphs 1 (20 credits)
Ancient Lives in Death (20 credits)
Classical Mythology and Legends in Roman and Medieval Times (20 credits)
Latin 1 (20 credits)
Pompeii: The life, death and rediscovery of a Roman town (20 credits)
Sparta: An Extraordinary City (20 credits)
Ancestors, Death and Burial (20 credits)
Armies and Navies: Studies in Ancient Warfare (20 credits)
The Life and Times of Caesar and Cicero (20 credits)
Thinking With Things (20 credits)
Greek 1 (20 credits)
Entanglements: Exploring Interactions between the Aegean and the Near East (20 credits)
Exhibiting the Past: Ancient Egypt, death and modern representation (20 credits)
Rome Transformed: The World of Late Antiquity (20 Credits)
The World of Han China (206 BCE to 220 CE) (Ancient History )
International Mobility Opportunity (60 Credits)
Excavation and Fieldwork (20 credits)
(Re)presenting and (Re)constructing the Past (20 credits)
Professional Placement

Year 3
In Year 3, students undertake an independent project, applying knowledge to a comprehensive research project. Optional modules also enable students to focus further in areas of interest.

Compulsory
Independent Project (40 credits)
Exhibiting the Past: Ancient Egypt, death and modern representation (20 credits)
Art and Ancient Egypt 4000BC to the 2020ies: Exhibiting artistic representations (20 Credits)

Optional
Hieroglyphs 1 (20 credits)
Ancient Lives in Death (20 credits)
Classical Mythology and Legends in Roman and Medieval Times (20 credits)
Households in the ancient world (20 credits)
Latin 1 (20 credits)
Pompeii: The life, death and rediscovery of a Roman town (20 credits)
Sparta: An Extraordinary City (20 credits)
Armies and Navies: Studies in Ancient Warfare (20 credits)
The Life and Times of Caesar and Cicero (20 credits)
Thinking With Things (20 credits)
Greek 1 (20 credits)
Entanglements: Exploring Interactions between the Aegean and the Near East (20 credits)
Rome Transformed: The World of Late Antiquity (20 Credits)
The World of Han China (206 BCE to 220 CE) (Ancient History )
Excavation and Fieldwork (20 credits)
(Re)presenting and (Re)constructing the Past (20 credits)

A degree in Ancient Civilisation involves a wide range of assessment methods. In addition to traditional gobbet work, essays and in class tests, you will be assessed through bibliographic exercises, presentations – oral and PowerPoint based, at both individual and group level – creation of abstracts, reflective reports, in-house conference papers, article reviews, take-home exams, group wikis, creation of project plans and, of course, the dissertation. This variety of assessment helps develop skills in presenting material in a clear, professional and lucid manner, whether orally or in writing.

This breadth of assessment type creates variety in the student experience, allowing you to explore the subject in different ways, and to obtain an array of valuable skills that will make you attractive to future employers.

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Course does not award QTS