Program Overview

BA Ancient History and Archaeology

The BA Ancient History and Archaeology degree at the University of Reading offers students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the ancient Greco-Roman world and discover how these cultures continue to influence the world today. This joint honors program combines the study of ancient history with invaluable archaeological training, allowing students to develop skills that span the humanities and sciences.

Overview

The program is shared with the Department of Classics, where instructors are at the forefront of their disciplines. Their research feeds directly into students' studies, exposing them to the latest developments in the field. Students will investigate the rich cultures of Greece and Rome from around 2000BC to 600AD and discover how these ancient civilizations have influenced later periods and the world we know today.

Structure

The program consists of three years of full-time study, with optional modules available in each year. Students can choose to take a year-long professional placement or a study year abroad in their degree.

Year 1

• Compulsory modules:
  • Archaeology Today: Methods and Practice
  • Early Empires: Mesopotamia, Egypt and Rome
  • Greek History: War, Society and Change in the Archaic Age
  • Roman History: The Rise and Fall of the Republic
• Optional modules:
  • Forensic Anthropology and the Archaeology of Death
  • Contemporary World Cultures: An Introduction to Social Anthropology
  • Ancient Song
  • Presenting the Past: An Introduction to Museum Studies
  • Ancient Greek
  • Latin
  • Optional Language or University Wide Modules

Year 2

• Compulsory modules:
  • Students can select modules that most interest them, including choices from Archaeology, Ancient History, and professional development.
• Optional modules:
  • Archaeology Field School and Professional Practice
  • Careers for Classicists and Ancient Historians
  • Prehistoric Europe: The First Million Years
  • Medieval Europe: Power, Religion and Death
  • Greek History: Persian Wars to Alexander
  • Roman History: From Republic to Empire
  • Archaeology and Heritage: Past, Present and Future
  • Ancient Objects: Materials and Meanings
  • Bioarchaeology
  • Forensic Archaeology and Crime Scene Analysis
  • Changing the Face of the Earth: Past, Present and Future Sustainability
  • Methods and Approaches in Ethnographic Practice
  • Ancient Epic
  • My Mother's Sins and Other Stories
  • Ancient Drama
  • Ancient Egyptian Language and Hieroglyphs
  • Entertainment and Leisure in Roman Society
  • Celts and Romans: Northern Europe and Britain
  • Curatorship and Collections Management
  • Optional Language or University Wide Modules

Year 3

• Compulsory modules:
  • Dissertation in Archaeology
  • OR Dissertation in Classics
  • OR Independent Project in Classics
• Optional modules:
  • The Anthropology of Heritage and Cultural Property
  • The Archaeology and Anthropology of Food
  • Biological Anthropology
  • Post-excavation: Assessment, Analysis and Publication in the Profession
  • Emergence of Civilisation in Mesopotamia
  • The First Europeans: Archaeology of the Lower Palaeolithic
  • Objects and Identities in the Roman Empire
  • 'Race' in the Ancient Greek and Roman Worlds
  • Beyond Barbarians and Bishops: Late Antiquity, 300-800 CE
  • Ancient Ethiopia: The Aksumite Kingdom
  • History, Culture and Society in the time of Nero
  • Xenophon's Anabasis
  • Leadership Skills and Values from Antiquity
  • From Classroom to Courtroom: Mastering the Art of Persuasion
  • Summer Placement

Fees

The home tuition fee for 2026 entry is Ł9,790. The international tuition fee is Ł25,850 for 2026/27. Additional costs may include field trips and extra resources.

Careers

Archaeology and Ancient History are disciplines that actively prepare students for the job market. Graduates develop an impressive range of practical and academic skills, whether they want to move into the archaeology or heritage sectors or enter a wide range of other industries and careers. Past archaeology graduates have gone on to work for employers such as Thames Valley Archaeological Services, The Museum of London Archaeology, and Wessex Archaeology.

Entry Requirements

The typical offer is BBB at A level. International Baccalaureate requirements are 30 points overall. BTEC Extended Diploma requirements are DDM. English language requirements are IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5. Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students are available. The University of Reading's International Foundation Programme (IFP) is also available for international students who do not meet the requirements for direct entry.