BA Ancient History
Royal Holloway, University of London
About this course
BA in History, focusing on the ancient civilisations of Greece and Rome across the Classical period from 600 BCE to 700 CE. Core topics include Research Methods and Historical Research. The programme includes a supervised dissertation of 8,000 to 10,000 words, and optional modules in archaeology, literature, philosophy and ancient languages. A year abroad is also available.
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 8 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 98%
- Learning opportunities: 87%
- Assessment and feedback: 92%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 79%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 86%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 70%
- Left higher education: 30%
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 20 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
- Greek History and the City State
- Key Themes in Roman History
- Studying Classical Antiquity
- Beginner’s Greek
- Intermediate Greek
- Greek Language and Reading
- Beginner's Latin
- Intermediate Latin
- Latin Language and Reading
- Introduction to Greek Literature
- Roman Literature of the Empire
- Introduction to Ancient Philosophy
- Introduction to Greek Archaeology
- Introduction to Roman Archaeology
- Advanced Greek
- Advanced Latin
- The Rise and Fall of the Roman Republic
- Rome and its Empire from Augustus to Commodus
- Greek History to 322 BC
- Spinning the Past: Greek Historiography from Herodotos to Diodoros
- Historiography of the Roman World
- Intensive Greek
- Aspects of Modern Greek Language and Culture
- Homer (In Translation)
- Greek Drama (In Translation)
- Virgil’s Aeneid: The Empire in the Literary Imagination
- Augustus: Propaganda and Power
- The Good Life in Ancient Philosophy
- Second Year Projects
- Intensive Latin
- From Dig to Digital: Archaeological Theory, Method and Practice
- Tacitus and the Making of Empire
- Life in the Big City
- Athenian Law and Social History
- Extended Essay (Dissertation)
- Further Aspects of Modern Greek Language and Culture
- Augustus
- The Rise of the Roman Empire: An Economic and Social history
- Alexander the Great
- The Good Life in Ancient Philosophy II
- Understanding Pompeii and Herculaneum
- City of Athens
- Christians and Pagans from Constantine to Augustine (AD 306-430)
- Contemporary Approaches to Latin Literature
- Art, Architecture and Identity in the Hellenistic World
- Encounters with Latin Poetry (in Latin)
- Food in the Ancient World
- History and Fiction
- Of Masks & Voices: Gender and Performance in Ancient Greece
- Thinking Myth: classical myth and its reception
- Roman Protests and Riots
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Ancient 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 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 History at Royal Holloway, University of London?
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 at Royal Holloway, University of London?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 117 UCAS points.
Does BA Ancient 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 History at Royal Holloway, University of London?
70% of students continued into their second year, and 30% left higher education.