Program Overview

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Ancient History and History (BA)

Award

Bachelor of Arts

Typical Offer

AAB

Duration

3 years

Course Type

Full-time

Campus

Avenue

UCAS Course code

V107

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About this course

Study global views on ancient, medieval and modern history with this joint honours ancient history and history degree. Learn how ancient civilisations inspired modern society and examine historical empires and cultures. You can also study literary transformations to develop an understanding of past societies.

You'll look at the different ways historians have approached the past, and study different periods in ancient and modern history. You'll cover the development of historical debates, ways of imagining the past, and topics ranging from ancient history to the war on terror.

As part of BA Ancient History and History you can:

• learn from experts in the ancient world and history (including archaeology, ancient and modern languages and literature, and film)
• spend time at a university abroad in Europe, the United States, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea or Australia
• access document collections, including the Wellington, Palmerston and Mountbatten papers, and the Parkes archive, one of the largest Jewish documentation centres in Europe
• learn Latin and Ancient Greek

The history and ancient history degree course combines lectures with small group seminars. You'll learn how to structure an argument, interrogate and contextualise evidence, and evaluate historical controversies.

Year abroad

A year abroad will enhance your understanding of ancient history and history and let you experience a new culture. Discover more benefits and financial support options for studying abroad.

Apply using:

• course name: Ancient History and History with With A Year Abroad
• UCAS code: V1V1

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Learn more about this subject area

History

Studying history with us means you'll research, analyse and debate the past to better understand the present. Explore the ancient and modern, from empires and rebellion to social history and gender.

Entry requirements

Academic year filter options

For Academic Year 2025/26

• A-levels: AAB including an essay writing subject*
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in an essay writing subject*
• BTEC: Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Diploma plus A in an A level Humanities subject. Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus A in an A level Humanities subject. Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus A in an A level Humanities subject* and A in one further A level
• Access to HE Diploma: 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 39 must be at Distinction and 6 credits at Merit, to include 6 Distinctions in an essay writing subject*
• Irish Leaving Certificate: H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 including an essay writing subject*
• Scottish Qualification: Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.
• Cambridge Pre-U: D3 D3 M2 in three principal subjects including an essay writing subject*
• Welsh Baccalaureate: AAB from 3 A levels including an essay writing subject* or AA from two A levels including an essay writing subject* and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
• T Level: Not accepted for this course.

Other requirements

• UK students
• International students
• Other ways to qualify

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must show that you can use English to the level we require. Visit our English language pages to find out which qualifications we accept and how you can meet our requirements.

If you are taking the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), you must get at least the following scores:

• overall score: 6.5
• reading: 6.0
• writing: 6.0
• speaking: 6.0
• listening: 6.0

If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre- sessional English programmes before your course starts.

You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need. Find out more about:

• our Ignite your Journey scheme for students living permanently in the UK (including residential summer school, application support and scholarship)
• skills you might have gained through work or other life experiences (otherwise known as recognition of prior learning)

Find out more about our Admissions Policy.

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from learners of all ages. Students who are aged 21 and over at the start of their undergraduate course are defined as mature by the University of Southampton. We take a holistic assessment of the application looking for academic ability and commitment to study. Typical entry requirements, which may vary from discipline to discipline, includes for example, evidence of recent formal academic qualifications or professional qualifications, relevant work experience or volunteering. You may also be invited to attend an interview with an Admissions Tutor. For some degree programmes, there may also be a Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) requirement. We accept many different academic qualifications. For more information, please contact the Admissions Team.

Course structure

Year 1 modules introduce you to the key skills needed by historians and specialists in the ancient world. This includes archaeological fieldwork for some modules.

In year 2 you'll broaden your studies by choosing options that look at patterns of continuity and change.

Year 3 is an opportunity for you to specialise and develop your expert knowledge.

You can also broaden your studies beyond history by choosing:

• interdisciplinary modules
• language modules, Latin or ancient Greek
• an option to study abroad for a semester

You do not need to choose your modules when you apply. We'll guide you through the process before you start.

Year 1 overview

You'll learn core skills for studying history. You'll explore:

• broad chronological issues
• intellectual history
• the conceptual terminology of history
• the varieties of source materials now available to the historian

Optional modules include topics such as:

• sources and controversies of ancient history
• consuls, dictators and emperors
• death, mourning and remembrance in Victorian Britain

Year 2 overview

You'll engage with larger periods of time, enquiring into broader patterns of continuity and change.

Your optional modules focus on more specific events, allowing you to tailor the course to suit your interests. You can choose from topics such as:

• evolution of US counterterrorism
• power, politics and petroleum in Iraq
• the EU and European identity

Year 3 overview

You'll write an Ancient History dissertation or a History dissertation demonstrating the analytical and research skills you've learned on the degree course.

You'll also choose from modules such as:

• Emperor Julian and the last pagans of Rome
• fashioning the Tudor court
• political culture in modern Russia

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

• lectures
• classes and tutorials
• coursework
• individual and group projects
• independent learning (studying on your own)

Course time

How you'll spend your course time:

• Year 1: 17% scheduled learning & teaching, 83% independent learning
• Year 2: 12% scheduled learning & teaching, 88% independent learning
• Year 3: 12% scheduled learning & teaching, 88% independent learning

Assessment breakdown

• Year 1: 32% written exam, 68% coursework
• Year 2: 50% written exam, 50% coursework
• Year 3: 50% written exam, 50% coursework

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Careers and employability

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Work experience opportunities

Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.

Careers services and support

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV and interview skills and workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,535.
• EU and international students pay £24,200.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and standard exams.

Find out how to:

• pay your tuition fees
• calculate your student finances

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges, and expenses regulations

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £36,200 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Hub offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

When you apply use:

• UCAS course code: V107
• UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for this course

What happens after you apply?

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

• predicted grades
• academic achievements
• personal statement
• academic reference

We normally invite all candidates to an interview.

We'll aim to process your application within 2 to 6 weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [insert email] Tel: +44(0) [insert phone number]

Related courses

Ancient History and History (BA) is a course in the History subject area. Here are some other courses within this subject area:

• Ancient History
• Ancient History and History with Year Abroad
• Ancient History with Year Abroad
• Archaeology and Ancient History
• Archaeology and Ancient History with Year Abroad
• English and History
• English and History with Year Abroad
• Film and History
• Film and History with Year Abroad
• History
• History and Modern Languages
• History with Year Abroad
• Liberal Arts
• Modern History and Politics
• Modern History and Politics with Year Abroad
• Philosophy and History