Ancient History
Delve into the ancient world and uncover the cultures, myths, histories and legacies of the civilisations that shaped it. At Kent you will develop new skills, and gain valuable experience ready for a wide range of careers, from archaeology to the heritage industry - or further afield - a degree in ancient history from Kent is the first step to wherever you want to go.
Join world-leading experts, including practising archaeologists and historians. You'll study history from the shores of Roman Britain to Byzantium, and from Egyptian temples and Near Eastern empires to the Greek city states.
From day one you will explore new perspectives on topics such as migration, gender, identity, and religion in the ancient world. You will delve into classical culture and build an understanding of them as living traditions to discover how they continue to shape our world. You also have the option to study an ancient language, or take an internship in the heritage or museum sector. Our broad remit at Kent means you are free to turn your passions into expertise and make your degree your own.
Add an Archaeology Pathway
This course offers an optional pathway in archaeology, leading to the degree of Ancient History with Archaeology. You will receive training in excavation techniques on dig sites with our practicing field archaeologists, and may make your own discoveries that contribute to our knowledge of the ancient world. You will be introduced to archaeological equipment in our state-of-the-art archaeology lab, and will have the opportunity to build your network of professional contacts within the industry. If you choose to accept your offer of a place on BA Ancient History at Kent you will be automatically sent instructions on how to register for the Archaeology Pathway prior to enrolment in September.
Your future
As a Kent graduate, you will be ready to construct and lead engaging arguments, be quick to recognise context and skilled to propose alternative solutions. And your wide-ranging work with historical sources will improve your ability to think critically, take part in debate and make informed decisions, allowing you to effect change in the places you want to see it.
Career prospects for history graduates are wide-ranging, with our students launching careers in everything from teaching to business, research to politics. For ancient history, your specialisation, and modules help boost your prospects, with natural routes into the heritage, archives and museums.
The creative problem solving, critical thinking and communication skills you develop at Kent can prepare you for a career in any field. The study of ancient history at Kent equips you with the adaptability to thrive in an exciting career in whatever area you are passionate about. This means Kent’s ancient history graduates are ready to step into a career of limitless opportunities, from education to business, charity to government; you’ll have the talent and insight to build the career you want.
Location
Our city, your time.
It has never been a better time to study in Canterbury. Our high student population creates a vibrant, diverse and student-friendly atmosphere.
We are a hub of exciting new ideas emerging from a stunning historic city - join us and get involved!
The following modules are what students typically study, but this may change year to year in response to new developments and innovations.
This course offers a pathway in archaeology leading to the degree in Ancient History with Archaeology. It provides an opportunity for you to develop wide and in-depth skills, training and knowledge in archaeology. If you choose this pathway you'll have different module options to the main study route, outlined below.
Stage 1:
You take all compulsory modules then select two from a list of optional modules.
Compulsory modules currently include the following:
Power and Persuasion: The Classical World;
Classical Archaeology: Great Sites, Key Issues;
Tyranny and Transformation: The Roman World;
Migration, Slavery and Identity in the Ancient World.
Optional modules may include the following:
Classical Mythology: Themes and Approaches to Ancient Greek Myth;
Ancient Egypt: Key Sites and Material Culture;
Archaeology: The Essentials;
Beginners' Ancient Languages 1;
Beginners' Ancient Languages 2;
Classical Literature;
Rome in the First Century AD: The Global City from Augustus to Domitian.
Stage 2:
You take all compulsory modules then select three optional modules, which must include at least one of the following: The Rise and Fall of Athens, War and Imperialism in Ancient Rome c.350 - 100 BC, Egypt and the Classical World.
If you wish to take an internship during the Spring or Summer term, you must take either Heritage Studies - Exploring Key Debates or Museum Studies - Exploring Key Debates in the term before.
Compulsory modules currently include the following:
Remaking the Past: Antiquity in the Present;
The Engagement Project.
Optional modules may include the following:
Tyranny and Transformation: The Roman World
Egypt and the Classical World;
Everyday Life in the Roman Empire;
Gender and Sexuality in Roman Society;
Greek and Roman Art and Architecture;
Homeric Epic;
Intermediate Ancient Languages 1;
Intermediate Ancient Languages 2;
Museum Studies - Exploring Key Debates;
Museum Studies - Internships;
The Rise and Fall of Athens;
Rome to Byzantium: the World of Late Antiquity;
Virgil's Aeneid;
War and Imperialism in Ancient Rome, 350 - 100 BCE;
Heritage Studies - Internships;
Heritage Studies - Exploring Key Debates.
Stage 3:
You will complete a dissertation on your chosen pathway topic and then select four optional modules. If you are pursuing the BA Ancient History, two of these must include any of the following: Cities and Empires of the Ancient Near East, Graeco-Roman Egypt, The Crisis of the Late Republic c.100- - 27BC, The Hellenistic World: History and Material Culture, Early Greece and the Formation of the Classical World, Advanced Topics in Ancient History.
If you take the Ancient History with Archaeology pathway, two of your four optional modules must include any of the following: Advanced Topics in Archaeology, Professional Archaeology: Techniques and Methods, Heritage Studies, Constantinople and the late Antique City, Roman Britain, Gods, Heroes and Mystery Cults: Religion in Ancient Greece, Barbarians in the West.
Compulsory modules currently include the following:
Dissertation.
Optional modules may include the following:
Advanced Ancient Languages;
Advanced Topics in Ancient History;
Advanced Topics in Archaeology;
Advanced Topics in Classical Studies;
Ancient Philosophy;
Barbarians in the West;
Cities and Empires of the Ancient Near East;
Classical Studies and Ancient History in the Classroom;
Constantinople and the late Antique City;
Early Greece and the Formation of the Classical World;
Gods, Heroes and Mystery Cults: Religion in Ancient Greece;
Graeco-Roman Egypt;
The Hellenistic World: History and Material Culture;
Heritage Studies - Internships;
Heritage Studies - Exploring Key Debates;
Monsters in Roman Literature;
Professional Archaeology: Techniques and Methods;
Roman Britain: History and Archaeology;
The Crisis of the Late Republic.
This course is available in Clearing. If you have submitted an application, you can add this course. If you haven’t sent us an application yet, you can do this until 24th September 2026.
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
University of Kent has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
The following entry points are available for this course:
Direct entry into Year 2 of this programme is considered on a case by case basis.
For further information about applying to Kent as an international student you can visit our International student webpages: https://www.kent.ac.uk/international. From here you will find useful information on country entry requirements, scholarship information, events and application guidance.
Kent has dedicated support available to international students through groups, networks, English language and more specialist services through our Student Support and Wellbeing team. Visit our guide for international students to find out more on how we can support you during your time at Kent: www.kent.ac.uk/guides/support-for-international-students
Please visit our website for further information:https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/how-to-apply/english-language-requirements.html
As part of our commitment to widening participation at the University of Kent, we have a contextual admissions policy. We use data and indicators to help build a more rounded view of an applicant's achievements and potential, we are keen to ensure that we are able to identify talent using a range of applicant information in addition to prior attainment. We are also committed to ensuring that each applicant is assessed fairly. In general, contextual offers will be lower than our standard offer.
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
This report uses your grades to show how students with similar results have done when applying to this course in the past. Sometimes, there isn’t data for every possible set of grades. When that happens, universities and colleges occasionally fill in the gaps for sets of grades that are typically accepted.
No fee information has been provided for this course
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.
All fees for 2026/27 are to be confirmed. Please see the programme page at www.kent.ac.uk for further information on fees and funding options.
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details - https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/fees-and-funding
Email:study@kent.ac.uk
Phone:01227 768896
Email:study@kent.ac.uk
Phone:01227 768896
Recruitment and Admissions Office
Registry
Canterbury
CT2 7NZ
At University of Kent
