BA Ancient History and Archaeology
About this course
BA in Ancient History and Archaeology, an archaeology and classics degree examining historical civilizations and material culture. Core topics include Research Methods, Fieldwork, and Critical & Analytical Thinking. Students examine ancient societies through textual sources and physical evidence from early human evolution to the medieval period. The first year introduces foundational subjects through compulsory modules such as Archaeological Fieldschool, Investigating Archaeology, Medieval Society to Globalisation, Evolution to Empire, Greek History: Problems and Sources, and Roman History: Problems and Sources. Optional choices in the first year cover ancient languages, Islamic archaeology, forensic archaeology, and artefacts and materials. The second year continues with compulsory modules including Greek History: Problems and Sources, Roman History: Problems and Sources, Archaeological Fieldwork Project, and Archaeological Fieldschool. Further optional modules across the course allow students to study ancient philosophy, literature, material culture, and specialist scientific techniques.
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: 32/655.
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 93%: 50 offers from 54 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 11 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 98%
- Learning opportunities: 90%
- Assessment and feedback: 86%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 97%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 88%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 25%
- Further study: 10%
Most common jobs
- Natural and social science professionals: 30%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 15%
- Caring personal services: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 120 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 11%
- London: 41%
- South East: 17%
- South West: 18%
- Wales: 2%
- Scotland: 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): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Archaeological Fieldschool
- Investigating Archaeology
- Medieval Society to Globalisation
- Evolution to Empire
- Greek History: Problems and Sources
- Roman History: Problems and Sources
- Classical Language and Texts Greek I (A)
- Classical Language and Texts Greek I (B)
- Classical Language and Texts Latin I (A)
- Classical Language and Texts Latin I (B)
- Ancient World: Racecraft
- Roman Death and Commemoration
- Classical Language and Texts: Greek II
- Classical Language and Texts: Greek III
- Classical Language and Texts: Latin II
- Classical Language and Texts: Latin III
- Ancient Sources (Written Evidence): Tyranny
- Ancient Sources (Material Evidence): Brave New Rome of Augustus
- Text and Context: Roman Laughter
- Text and Context: Writing Women in Ancient Literature
- Ancient World: Roman Philosophy
- Introduction to Islamic Archaeology
- Forensic Archaeology
- Artefacts and Materials
- Greek History: Problems and Sources
- Roman History: Problems and Sources
- Archaeological Fieldwork Project
- Archaeological Fieldschool
- Ancient World: Racecraft
- Roman Death and Commemoration
- Classical Language and Texts: Greek II
- Classical Language and Texts: Greek IV
- Classical Language and Texts: Latin II
- Classical Language and Texts: Latin IV
- Ancient Sources (Written Evidence): Tyranny
- Ancient Sources (Material Evidence): Brave New Rome of Augustus
- Text and Context: Roman Laughter
- Text and Context: Writing Women in Ancient Literature
- Ancient World: Roman Philosophy
- Monumental Changes: Neolithic and Early Bronze Age Britain and Ireland
- Archaeology of the Americas
- The Archaeology and Ethnography of Hunter-Gatherers
- Analysing Artefacts and Materials
- Lords to Lepers: Medieval Social Worlds
- Things and Us: Ancient and Contemporary Material Culture
- Brooches, Beads, Swords and Shields: Early Medieval Material Culture
- Sustainability and Collapse in Past Societies
- Giving and Taking: Anthropology and Archaeology of Circulation and Exchange
- Discovering the Past with Molecular Science
- Palaeolithic Archaeology of Homo Sapiens 100,000-12,000 BP
- Trading Places, Towns, Royal Palaces and Fortifications: Early Medieval Centres in Europe
- Understanding the Landscape of Roman Britain
- Understanding the Landscape of Medieval Britain
- Medieval Castles in Context
- Romanisation: Interaction, Conquest and Change in Late Iron Age and Roman Dacia
- Zooarchaeology
- Palaeobotany
- Aerial Survey
- Forensic Anthropology
- Human Origins and Evolution: the Lower and Middle Palaeolithic
- Research in Archaeology
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Ancient History and Archaeology at University of Exeter earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £26,500 after 3 years, £34,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £28,500 and £45,500. The £34,500 median after five years is £9,000 more than the UK median for Archaeology.
What do graduates of BA Ancient History and Archaeology at University of Exeter do next?
100% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Ancient History and Archaeology at University of Exeter?
98% 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 and Archaeology at University of Exeter?
The typical offer is ABB at A level. The average entrant had 130 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Ancient History and Archaeology at University of Exeter?
93% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 50 offers from 54 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BA Ancient History and Archaeology at University of Exeter 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 and Archaeology at University of Exeter?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.