BA Classical Archaeology and Ancient History
Royal Holloway, University of London
About this course
BA in History and Archaeology, covering the ancient Greek and Roman worlds through both historical and archaeological perspectives. Core topics include Research Methods and Historical Research. The course has a compulsory excavation component, and there is the option to spend a year abroad. In the final year, students complete a supervised Extended Essay (Dissertation) of 8,000 to 10,000 words.
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 20 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 93%
- Learning opportunities: 82%
- Assessment and feedback: 81%
- Academic support: 97%
- Organisation and management: 87%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 93%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 75%
- Left higher education: 25%
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%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Artistic, literary and media 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
- Greek History and the City State
- Key Themes in Roman History
- Introduction to Greek Archaeology
- Introduction to Roman Archaeology
- Beginner’s Greek
- Intermediate Greek
- Beginner's Latin
- Intermediate Latin
- Introduction to Greek Literature
- Roman Literature of the Empire
- Introduction to Ancient Philosophy
- Studying Classical Antiquity
- Advanced Greek
- Advanced Latin
- From Dig to Digital: Archaeological Theory, Method and Practice
- Greek History to 322 BC
- Spinning the Past: Greek Historiography from Herodotos to Diodoros
- Historiography of the Roman World
- The Rise and Fall of the Roman Republic
- Rome and its Empire from Augustus to Commodus
- Homer (in Greek)
- Plato (in Greek)
- Imperial Greek Literature
- Latin Epic (in Latin)
- Homer (In Translation)
- Greek Drama (In Translation)
- Ovid’s Metamorphoses: Art and Power in Augustan Rome
- Augustus: Propaganda and Power
- The Good Life in Ancient Philosophy
- Second Year Projects
- Life in the Big City
- Intensive Greek
- Aspects of Modern Greek Language and Culture
- Intensive Latin
- Athenian Law and Social History
- Empire and its Others - Virgil's Aeneid
- Tacitus and the Making of Empire
- The Later Roman Empire
- Byzantium and its Neighbours, 641-1081
- Extended Essay (Dissertation)
- Understanding Pompeii and Herculaneum
- City of Athens
- Augustus
- Alexander the Great
- Further Aspects of Modern Greek Language and Culture
- Food in the Ancient World
- Of Masks & Voices: Gender and Performance in Ancient Greece
- Roman Protests and Riots
- Social and Economic History of the Roman Empire
- Thinking Myth: classical myth and its reception
- Art, Architecture and Identity in the Hellenistic World
- Christians and Pagans from Constantine to Augustine (AD 306-430)
- Contemporary Approaches to Latin Literature
- Encounters with Latin Poetry (in Latin)
- History and Fiction
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Classical Archaeology and 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 Classical Archaeology and 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 Classical Archaeology and Ancient History at Royal Holloway, University of London?
93% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Classical Archaeology and 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 109 UCAS points.
Does BA Classical Archaeology and 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 Classical Archaeology and Ancient History at Royal Holloway, University of London?
75% of students continued into their second year, and 25% left higher education.