BA Classics and Ancient History
About this course
Bachelor of Arts in Classics and Ancient History BA, a Classics and Ancient History BA degree centred on the ancient and classical world. Core topics include Research Methods. The course spans three years and includes a dissertation in the final year. The first year covers foundations through modules such as Rethinking the Ancient World A: Mythology and Identity, Greek World, The Roman World, and Understanding Archaeology. The second year explores specialised themes via modules like Classical Epic, Athenian Drama, Imperial Rome, and Material Culture and Heritage. The final year involves advanced study and independent research through options such as Special Subject A: Carthage and Rome, Special Subject A: Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World, and the CAHA Dissertation.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A Level: ABB. IB: 6,5,5 including 32 points overall.. BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma: DDD. BTEC Diploma: DD, plus B at A-level. BTEC Subsidiary Diploma: D, plus AB at A-level.
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What students say
Based on about 13 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 92%
- Learning opportunities: 89%
- Assessment and feedback: 94%
- Academic support: 94%
- Organisation and management: 89%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 80%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 9 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 75%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 5%
Most common jobs
- Elementary occupations: 30%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 20%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Secretarial and related occupations: 10%
- Media Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 50%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 50%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 30%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 530 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 6%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 27%
- East of England: 9%
- London: 25%
- South East: 15%
- South West: 7%
- Wales: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Project A
- Project B
- Rethinking the Ancient World A: Mythology and Identity
- Rethinking the Ancient World B: Other Voices
- Greek World
- The Roman World
- Classics in the 20th and 21st Centuries
- The Transformation of the Roman World, c.200-850
- Understanding Archaeology
- Advanced Texts
- Greek 1
- Greek 2
- Latin 1
- Latin 2
- Anthropologists at Work
- Anthropology of Africa
- Discover History: Skills and Sources
- Ethnographic Film
- Introduction to African Cultures
- Introduction to African Development
- Introduction to African Politics
- Options in History and Heritage
- The Making of the Early Modern World, 1500-1800.
- The Making of the Medieval World, 500- 1050
- Urban Encounters: Anthropology in Birmingham
- Writing Worlds: Ethnography as Craft
- CAHA Study Tour
- Classical Epic
- Athenian Drama
- East Meets West: Power, Knowledge and Culture in the Hellenistic World
- Environmental Archaeology in the Lab
- Human Remains: From Forensics to Display
- Imperial Rome
- Material Culture and Heritage
- Matrons and Monsters: Women in Rome and Byzantium
- Mediterranean and European Archaeology
- Poets and Tyrants: Archaic Greece
- Republican Rome: From the Gracchi to Caesar
- Republican and Imperial Rome
- Rhetoric at Rome
- Thinking Athenian
- Roman Women: Matrons and Monsters
- Understanding Ancient Societies
- Advanced Texts
- Egyptian Language 1
- Egyptian Language 2
- Greek 1
- Greek 2
- Latin 1
- Latin 2
- Humanities in the classroom
- Media in Practice
- Sustainable Development: Climate, Culture, Society and Policy
- Professional Skills
- Professional Skills – Freelance
- CAHA Dissertation
- Special Subject A: Carthage and Rome
- Special Subject A: Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World
- Special Subject A: Democracy and Empire: The World of the Athenian archē
- Special Subject A: Far-flung corners: being Roman in the late Roman world, c. 200-c.550
- Special Subject A: Greek Epigram
- Special Subject A: Greeks and Barbarians
- Special Subject A: How to build an Empire: Communication and Conflict (-Resolution)
- Special Subject A: Performance Culture in the Ancient World
- Special Subject A: Rethinking the Romans
- Special Subject A: Ritual and Religion: performance, materiality and belief
- Special Subject A: The Roman Republic in Imperial Imagination
- Special Subject A: The Spartan kosmos 545-371 BCE
- Special Subject A: Wonderful things: an introduction to ancient Egyptian art and architecture
- Special Subject A: Living and dying in wetlands
- Special Subject B: Carthage and Rome
- Special Subject B: Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World
- Special Subject B: Democracy and Empire: The World of the Athenian archē
- Special Subject B: Far-flung corners: being Roman in the late Roman world, c. 200-c.550
- Special Subject B: Greek Epigram
- Special Subject B: Greeks and Barbarians
- Special Subject B: How to build an Empire: Communication and Conflict (-Resolution)
- Special Subject B: Living and dying in wetlands
- Special Subject B: Performance Culture in the Ancient World
- Special Subject B: Rethinking the Romans
- Special Subject B: Ritual and Religion: performance, materiality and belief
- Special Subject B: The Roman Republic in Imperial Imagination
- Special Subject B: The Spartan kosmos 545-371 BCE
- Special Subject B: Wonderful things: an introduction to ancient Egyptian art and architecture
- Age of Empires
- Death, Burial and Society
- Face to face with Egypt’s Gods
- Greek Mythology
- Hellenistic Literature
- Humans and Environments
- Love in Greek Literature
- War, Peace, and Diplomacy in the Roman World
- Sparta
- Advanced Texts
- Egyptian Language 1
- Egyptian Language 2
- Greek 1
- Greek 2
- Latin 1
- Latin 2
- Professional Skills
- Professional Skills - Freelance
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Classics and Ancient History at University of Birmingham earn?
The median salary is £28,500 after 15 months, £25,000 after 3 years, £32,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,500 and £41,000. The £32,500 median after five years is £1,000 more than the UK median for Classics.
What do graduates of BA Classics and Ancient History at University of Birmingham do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Classics and Ancient History at University of Birmingham?
92% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Classics and Ancient History at University of Birmingham?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 132 UCAS points.
Does BA Classics and Ancient History at University of Birmingham include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Classics and Ancient History at University of Birmingham?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.