Program Overview

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BA Ancient History

Overview

The BA Ancient History program at the University of Manchester is a three-year undergraduate degree that explores the Graeco-Roman world as a historian. Students will learn from Greek and Roman history experts, covering topics from ancient medicine to Greek philosophy, egyptology, and epigraphy.

Key Features

• Study with a language
• Typical A-level offer: ABB
• Typical contextual A-level offer: BBC
• UK refugee/care-experienced offer: BBC
• Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 34 points overall with 6,5,5 at HL

Entry Requirements

A-level

• ABB including one essay-based subject
• Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken
• Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels
• If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer

A-level Contextual Offer

• BBC including one essay-based subject
• Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken
• Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels
• If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer

UK Refugee/Care-Experienced Offer

• BBC including one essay-based subject
• Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken
• Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels
• If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer

International Baccalaureate

• 34 points overall with 6,5,5 at HL

GCSE/IGCSE

• Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade C or 4 in GCSE/iGCSE English Language and Mathematics
• GCSE/iGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/iGCSE English Language

Other Entry Requirements

• Other entry requirements exist for this course
• You may view these by selecting from the list below
• Scottish requirements
• Welsh Baccalaureate
• Foundation year
• Pearson BTEC qualifications
• OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications
• Access to HE Diploma
• T Level
• Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

Fees and Funding

Fees

• Fees for entry in 2026 have not yet been set
• For entry in 2025 the tuition fees were £9,535 per annum for home students, and are expected to increase slightly for 2026 entry

Policy on Additional Costs

• All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme
• Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application

Scholarships/Sponsorships

• Find out more from student finance
• Eligible UK students can apply for bursaries and scholarships
• Funding for EU and international students is on our country-specific pages
• Many students work part-time or complete a student internship

Application and Selection

How to Apply

• Apply through UCAS

Advice to Applicants

• Potential candidates are expected to demonstrate why they have chosen this particular degree in their personal statement and express why the course interests them

Home-Schooled Applicants

• If you are a student who has followed a non-standard educational route, e.g. you have been educated at home; your application will be considered against the standard entry criteria of the course for which you are applying

Non-Standard Educational Routes

• Mature students are some of our most well-equipped learners, bringing skills and attributes gained from work, family and other life experiences
• Students come from a whole array of backgrounds, study every kind of course, undertake full-time and part-time learning and are motivated by career intentions as well as personal interest

Interview Requirements

• We don't normally interview for this degree, except in the case of mature applicants
• In considering your application, all the information on the UCAS form is taken into account, particular attention being paid to academic qualifications and predictions, to your referee's confidential report, and to your personal statement

Returning to Education

• We warmly encourage applications from mature applicants and students returning to education
• All such applications are considered on an individual basis

Overseas (Non-UK) Applicants

• We warmly encourage overseas applicants
• Applicants are encouraged to contact us at for any discussion that they might find useful

Deferrals

• We welcome applications for deferred entry and feel a gap year benefits many students

Re-Applications

• If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again
• Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry

Transfers

• We will consider applications to transfer to Manchester from other universities and would normally ask for a letter explaining why a transfer was needed, relevant transcripts, a copy of the applicant's UCAS form and a confidential reference from one of the applicant's current university tutors

Course Details

Course Description

• A staff of world-renowned tutors will expand your knowledge of several subjects
• These include the Roman Army, Alexander the Great and the Roman Family
• You'll have a truly multidisciplinary learning experience
• This course offers the chance to immerse yourself in ancient ideas, with ideas ranging from slavery to medicine

Special Features

• Placement year
• Study abroad
• Explore world-class collections

Teaching and Learning

• You'll learn through a variety of methods
• Lectures will introduce and survey the main issues, supported by small group tutorials and seminars
• Language classes are taught intensively, with group sizes capped to encourage participation

Coursework and Assessment

• Assessment procedures in different course units vary, but our basic objective is to achieve a good balance between formal examinations, continuous assessment and project work which develop a range of skills for future employment or study

Course Content for Year 1

• You'll be introduced to the historical study of the Greek and Roman worlds
• You'll also have the chance to take units in ancient literature and Greek or Latin language, Archaeology, Egyptology and later periods of history

Course Content for Year 2

• Specialist course units on Greek and Roman history are a central element of the second year
• You'll also have the chance to take units in ancient literature and Greek or Latin language, and further period and thematic-specific modules in archaeology, Egyptology and later periods of history

Course Content for Year 3

• In your final year there will be a range of specialist options in Greek and Roman history, focusing on aspects of the subjects
• You'll also research and write a dissertation on an ancient historical topic of your choice, under the guidance of a specialist supervisor

Facilities

• The John Rylands Library
• Manchester Museum

Careers

Career Opportunities

• All our courses involve the development of strong transferable skills, encouraging students to think logically to interpret and analyse information and data
• A degree in Classics or Ancient History will give you the ability to communicate well
• It will show a deep understanding of varied cultures and societies, preparing you for a career in many industries

Regulated by the Office for Students

• The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS)
• The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests

Contact Us

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• Contact details

Find Us

• The University of Manchester
• Oxford Rd
• Manchester
• M13 9PL
• UK

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