Ancient History with a Foundation Year

Ancient History explores the societies and cultures of Greeks and Romans, tracing how they developed during a period of well over a thousand years. Societies and events of the Graeco-Roman world may appear distant but remain influential, even today, and have complex legacies.

This programme, including a Foundation Year, gives you an exciting introduction to Higher Education, setting you up with the skills, confidence and knowledge that you’ll need to be successful on your undergraduate degree. It’s ideal if you need a little more support after Further Education or are returning to education after a gap.

We will introduce you to the theories and methodologies that will help you grasp the variety of lived experiences that resulted from the ancient world. You will be supported as you develop new skills step-by-step, building on practice in class and constructive feedback.

You can also learn about ancient societies’ interactions with their neighbours around the Mediterranean and nations further afield, from Britain to Persia and India. As we also offer Egyptology, you’ll have a unique chance to learn more about ancient Egypt and Sudan.

You’ll have opportunities to deal with archaeological sources such as ancient art, material remains and landscapes, and we’ll work together to interpret ancient texts, from literary works to inscriptions or graffiti. You can also choose to study Latin or ancient Greek to appreciate these sources as they were originally written.

There are many different ways to study the ancient world, enabling you to play to your strengths and follow your specific interests. The programme is designed to foster rigorous thinking, the ability to analyse complex material, and to communicate your ideas to different audiences; skills that will open exciting career opportunities in a wide range of professions.

We are based on our stunning Singleton Park Campus, overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsula.

Your first year will be spent on your Foundation, preparing you for Higher Education. Topics on this foundation including skills development and introductions to key themes on your degree, including Academic Writing and Skills Development, Critical Reflection and Problem Solving, and History, Memory and the Creation of Identity.

After successfully completing your Foundation, you’ll move on to your BA degree. You’ll study two compulsory modules and four optional modules, with topics including Greek, Latin, Gods and Heroes, Ancient History, Society and Culture, and a Field Trip.

Year 3 consists entirely of optional modules, allowing you to shape your own learning, with topics typically including Archaic Greece, Gender in the Roman World, Plato’s Republic, and a Schools Work Placement, teaching ancient history and languages.

Your degree with culminate in year 4, with a wide range of optional modules that can include Culture and Control in Roman Britain, advanced levels of Greek or Latin, Ancient and Medieval Monarchy, and a compulsory Classics, Ancient History and Egyptology Dissertation.

For the full programme structure and module breakdown, please visit our webpage at: www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/culture-communication/classics-ancient-history-egyptology/ba-ancient-history

We offer a variety of assessment methods within our programmes. In addition to traditional examinations and essays, examples of alternative assessment include:
• Presentations
• Group Work
• Personal Reflection
Throughout your undergraduate Ancient History degree, you will develop excellent research and analytical skills and learn to present your ideas effectively both verbally and in writing. For full breakdown of course structure and assessment please visit our course page: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/culture-communication/classics-ancient-history-egyptology/ba-ancient-history/ or get in touch with us at study@swansea.ac.uk