BA Ancient History
About this course
BA Ancient History is an undergraduate humanities degree exploring the political, social, and cultural developments of ancient Greece and Rome. Core topics include Research Methods. Students can optionally undertake a placement year or a year abroad during their studies. The first year introduces foundational periods and methodologies through compulsory modules such as Greek History: War, Society, and Change in the Archaic Age, Roman History: The Rise and Fall of the Republic, Texts, Readers and Writers, and The Past in the Present, alongside optional choices in languages and literature like Ancient Song. The second year advances chronological study via Greek History: Persian Wars to Alexander and Roman History: From Republic to Empire, while offering professional preparation through Careers for Classicists and Ancient Historians, alongside specialist options including Ancient Drama and Greek Sculpture and Architecture. The final year centres on an independent research output through compulsory modules like Dissertation in Classics or Independent Project in Classics. Students can further tailor their studies through optional modules spanning advanced language learning in Latin and Ancient Greek, as well as topical studies such as 'Race' and Ethnicity in the Ancient Greek and Roman Worlds.
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: BBB IB: 30 points overall
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What students say
Based on about 10 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 94%
- Learning opportunities: 94%
- Assessment and feedback: 88%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 91%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 89%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started
- Continued on course: 75%
- Left higher education: 25%
What graduates do next
Based on about 5 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 35%
- Sales occupations: 20%
- Teaching Professionals: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 65%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 55%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 65 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 3%
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 19%
- London: 25%
- South East: 29%
- South West: 11%
- Wales: 2%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 40 students who started
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Greek History: War, Society, and Change in the Archaic Age
- Roman History: The Rise and Fall of the Republic
- Texts, Readers and Writers
- The Past in the Present
- Ancient Song
- Latin 1-3
- Ancient Greek 1-3
- Presenting the Past
- Optional Language or University Wide Modules
- Greek History: Persian Wars to Alexander
- Roman History: From Republic to Empire
- Careers for Classicists and Ancient Historians
- Careers for Classicists and Ancient Historians with Placement
- Ancient Epic
- Ancient Drama
- Ancient Greek 1-4
- Latin 1-4
- Greek Sculpture and Architecture
- My Mother's Sin and Other Stories
- Museum Learning and Engagement
- Optional Language or University Wide Modules
- Dissertation in Classics
- Independent Project in Classics
- Latin 1-6
- Ancient Greek 1-6
- 'Race' and Ethnicity in the Ancient Greek and Roman Worlds
- From Classroom to Courtroom: Mastering the Art of Persuasion in the Ancient World
- Optional Language or University Wide Modules
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Ancient History at University of Reading earn?
The median salary is £25,000 after 15 months, £22,000 after 3 years, £27,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £22,500 and £34,000. The £27,000 median after five years is £3,500 less than the UK median for History.
What do graduates of BA Ancient History at University of Reading 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 Ancient History at University of Reading?
94% 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 University of Reading?
The typical offer is BBB at A level, or 30 points in the IB. The average entrant had 114 UCAS points.
Does BA Ancient History at University of Reading 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 University of Reading?
75% of students continued into their second year, and 25% left higher education.