BA Ancient, Medieval and Modern History
About this course
BA (Hons) Ancient, Medieval and Modern History is a joint degree in History and Classics combining ancient history with medieval and modern history. Core topics include Research Methods. Optional modules in both Classics and History appear at every level, and the third year includes a compulsory Dissertation researching an area of either subject in depth. The first year builds foundational skills through the compulsory module Doing History: Evidence, Methods and Challenges, with optional Classics modules including Latin or Greek language study and topics such as Introduction to the Greek World and Ancient Philosophy and the Pursuit of Wisdom. Second-year History options include The Court: Art and Power in Early Modern Europe, Voices of the Past: Oral Histories and Black British History, while Classics options include Living in the Classical World, Emperors and Dynasties and Traditions of Epic. Exploration modules offered across the Faculty of Arts and Humanities extend study into areas such as Digital Humanities and the Ancient World and Photographic Histories. The final year requires a Dissertation investigating an area of Classics or History in depth, alongside options such as Pompeii and Herculaneum: Rediscovery and Reconstruction and Fascism/Anti-Fascism.
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: A*AA including an A in History. IB: 37 with 766 in higher level subjects, including History.
See the highest paying History, Philosophy & Religion degrees in the UK →
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 39%: 45 offers from 115 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 10 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 95%
- Learning opportunities: 87%
- Assessment and feedback: 85%
- Academic support: 97%
- Organisation and management: 73%
- Learning resources: 89%
- Student voice: 78%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 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 6 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 20%
Most common jobs
- Finance Professionals: 21%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 17%
- Teaching Professionals: 9%
- Elementary occupations: 7%
- Administrative occupations: 7%
- 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 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 80%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Access course: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Doing History: Evidence, Methods and Challenges
- Example optional modules
- Example optional modules
- Dissertation
- Example optional modules
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Ancient, Medieval and Modern 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 £10,000 more than the UK median for History.
What do graduates of BA Ancient, Medieval and Modern History at Durham University do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Ancient, Medieval and Modern History at Durham University?
95% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Ancient, Medieval and Modern History at Durham University?
The typical offer is A*AA at A level. The average entrant had 170 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Ancient, Medieval and Modern History at Durham University?
39% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 45 offers from 115 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BA Ancient, Medieval and Modern 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, Medieval and Modern History at Durham University?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.