BA Ancient History
About this course
BA (Hons) in Ancient History, a classics degree centred on the history, societies and cultures of ancient Greece and Rome. Core topics include Research Methods and Historical Research. Students can take Latin or Greek language modules, with higher-level options where prior knowledge exists, and the final year culminates in a Dissertation on a topic of the student's own choice. Optional modules also span ancient art, literature, science and philosophy. The first year establishes the foundations through Monuments and Memory in the Age of Augustus, which surveys Roman history and Latin literature of a key transitional period, Introduction to the Greek World, covering Archaic and Classical Greek history and thought, and Craft of the Ancient Historian, on Greek and Roman historiography. Level 1 options include Lives of Objects – Greek and Roman Antiquity, Ancient Philosophy and the Pursuit of Wisdom, and Language, Translation, Interpretation. Year 2 centres on the compulsory Living in the Classical World, which examines everyday life in ancient Greece and Rome through documentary evidence. Optional choices extend to City of Athens, Emperors and Dynasties, Ancient Political Thought and Action, Religion in the Greek World and Digital Humanities and the Ancient World. In the third year, the compulsory Dissertation requires in-depth research and analysis of an independently chosen topic, alongside options including Pompeii and Herculaneum: Rediscovery and Reconstruction, The Hellenistic World, Happiness in Ancient Philosophy and Urbs Roma.
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: AAA IB: 36 with 666 in higher level subjects.
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 32%: 35 offers from 110 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 9 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 86%
- Assessment and feedback: 81%
- Academic support: 91%
- Organisation and management: 88%
- Learning resources: 95%
- Student voice: 71%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 34 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 45%
- Working and studying: 23%
- Further study: 21%
- Unemployed: 3%
Most common jobs
- Finance Professionals: 20%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Teaching Professionals: 15%
- Sales occupations: 5%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 30%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 85 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 10%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 6%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 9%
- London: 47%
- South East: 15%
- South West: 6%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Access course: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Monuments and Memory in the Age of Augustus
- Introduction to the Greek World
- Craft of the Ancient Historian
- Example optional modules
- Living in the Classical World
- Example optional modules
- Dissertation
- Example optional modules
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Ancient History at Durham University earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £29,000 after 3 years, £40,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £28,500 and £55,000. The £40,500 median after five years is £9,000 more than the UK median for Classics.
What do graduates of BA Ancient History at Durham University do next?
89% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Ancient History at Durham University?
91% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Ancient History at Durham University?
The typical offer is AAA at A level. The average entrant had 170 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Ancient History at Durham University?
32% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 35 offers from 110 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BA Ancient History at Durham University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Ancient History at Durham University?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.