Archaeology and Ancient History with Year Abroad

Summary

On this course, you will explore civilisations across time and place, from Ancient Egypt and the conquests of Alexander the Great to the Roman Empire and the rise of Islam in the Middle East. By combining archaeology and ancient history, you will build a richer understanding of the past through both material evidence and historical interpretation.

You will study in an engaging, supportive and highly successful research 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 a graduate, you will be prepared to play a role in preserving and sharing the past. Graduates from the Ancient History and Archaeology BA degree have gained employment in heritage management, museums or archaeological research. Whether you're excavating ancient cities, preserving historical landmarks, or educating the public, your work contributes to the incredible stories of human history and culture, today and into the future. Your archaeological expertise can be applied in diverse fields, heritage management and conservation, via education, journalism and creative, entrepreneurial and digital careers, to academia and beyond, making a tangible impact on how we understand and engage with our past.

Key features of the course

Gain hands-on experience through three weeks of fieldwork, including excavation, survey or post-excavation as part of active research projects.

Join a department ranked 7th in the UK for Archaeology in the Complete University Guide 2026.

Learn in £3 million purpose-built facilities, including specialist laboratories for osteoarchaeology, isotope sampling, and ceramic and lithic analysis.

Use digital humanities facilities to explore the past through technologies such as virtual reality, 3D scanning and printing.

100% of Archaeology graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation Graduate Outcomes 2022/23, published 2025.

Student support

From day one, you will be part of a friendly and supportive community of students and academics. You will be taught by experienced tutors who are active researchers, with small group teaching designed to give you personalised support.

You will develop teamwork and communication skills alongside your peers, with access to wellbeing services, pastoral care and a wide range of student societies to support you throughout your time at university.

Further information

You will complete three weeks of fieldwork as part of an active research project, with opportunities to take part in excavations in the UK or abroad.

You can also choose to spend your third year abroad at a partner university in Europe, the United States, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea or Australia.

Over the four years of this course, you will discover the nature of archaeology and ancient history and the relationship between these two disciplines.

Year 1: Introduction to the ancient world and to archaeological fieldwork and analysis.
Year 2: Deepen your understanding of archaeology and ancient history and prepare for fieldwork with at least 3 weeks of practical experience in a field school or research project in the UK or overseas.
Year 3: Year Abroad
Year 4: Develop your interests with a wide range of optional modules, including GIS for Archaeology, Ancient Egypt, Urbanism in the Roman Empire, and Resistance to Rome - and explore your interests and complete a research project and dissertation on either ancient history or archaeology. This is an opportunity to demonstrate your planning, research, analysis, and communication skills. You'll also show how you engage with primary source materials.

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://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/ancient-history-archaeology-with-year-abroad-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 examinations, essays, extended essays, practical assignments in both the laboratory and the field, presentations, portfolios and the dissertation.
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.