BA Ancient and Medieval History
Royal Holloway, University of London
About this course
BA History, covering Greek and Roman antiquity from the Classical period through the transition to the Medieval world. Core topics include Research Methods and Historical Research. The course is taught by staff from both the Classics and History departments. The Extended Essay unit requires a dissertation of 8,000 to 10,000 words in either ancient or medieval history.
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-BBB (Required subjects: We require English Language and Mathematics GCSE at grade 4 (C)) IB: 6,5,5 at Higher level or 32 points overall.
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What students say
Based on about 116 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 94%
- Learning opportunities: 89%
- Assessment and feedback: 89%
- Academic support: 98%
- Organisation and management: 91%
- Learning resources: 96%
- Student voice: 83%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 80%
- Left higher education: 20%
What graduates do next
Based on about 31 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 11%
- Further study: 13%
- Unemployed: 7%
Most common jobs
- Elementary occupations: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 15%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 45%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 25%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 275 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 1%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 12%
- London: 33%
- South East: 37%
- South West: 7%
- Wales: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- History in the Making
- Greek History and the City State
- Key Themes in Roman History
- Introduction to Greek Literature
- Roman Literature of the Republic
- Roman Literature of the Empire
- Introduction to Ancient Philosophy
- Individual and Community
- Studying Classical Antiquity
- Introduction to Greek Archaeology
- Introduction to Roman Archaeology
- Republics, Kings and People: The Foundations of European Political Thought from Plato to Rousseau
- From Renaissance to Revolutions: Europe and the World, 1500-1800
- Rome to Renaissance: An Introduction to the Middle Ages
- Greek History to 404 BC
- Greek History to 322 BC
- Spinning the Past: Greek Historiography from Herodotos to Diodoros
- Historiography of the Roman World
- Gender in Classical Antiquity
- Greek Law and Lawcourts
- Augustus: Propaganda and Power
- The Roman Republic: A Social and Economic History
- The Rise of the Roman Empire: An Economic and Social history
- The Later Roman Empire
- Byzantium and its Neighbours, 641-1081
- London Urban Society, 1400-1600
- The Crusades and the Eastern Mediterranean, 1095-1291
- Medicine and Society in Medieval Europe
- The Rise and Fall of the Roman Republic
- Rome and its Empire from Augustus to Commodus
- The Pursuit of Power: Europe 1000-1250
- Politics, Pestilence and War in Late Medieval Europe, 1300 to 1500
- The Silk Road I: Genghis Khan and the Mongol Legacy in Western Asia (1200-1500)
- Everyday Life in the Italian Renaissance
- Religion, Culture and Society in Europe, 1000-1250
- The Sacred and Profane: Cultural Life in Renaissance Europe
- The Silk Road II: The Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires (1500-1700)
- Independent Research Project
- Extended essay (dissertation) in either ancient or medieval history
- Extended Essay (Dissertation)
- Augustus
- Alexander the Great
- The City from Augustus to Charlemagne: The Rise and Fall of Civilisation
- Christians and Pagans from Constantine to Augustine (AD 306-430)
- Heresy, Crusade and Inquisition in Southern France, c.1140 to c.1300
- Faith and Fire: Religious Culture in England, c.1375 to 1525
- The City and the Conqueror: The Fall of Constantinople (1453)
- Genghis Khan and His Empire, 1150-1300
- Further Latin for Historians
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Ancient and Medieval History at Royal Holloway, University of London earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £25,500 after 3 years, £31,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,000 and £40,000. The £31,000 median after five years is £500 more than the UK median for History.
What do graduates of BA Ancient and Medieval History at Royal Holloway, University of London 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 and Medieval History at Royal Holloway, University of London?
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 and Medieval History at Royal Holloway, University of London?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 137 UCAS points.
Does BA Ancient and Medieval History at Royal Holloway, University of London 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 and Medieval History at Royal Holloway, University of London?
80% of students continued into their second year, and 20% left higher education.