BA Ancient History
About this course
Bachelor of Arts in Ancient History, a history degree centred on the historical, archaeological, and cultural study of the ancient world. Core topics include Historical Research, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Research Methods. The course includes opportunities for a study abroad period and culminates in an independent research dissertation. The first year introduces foundational themes through compulsory modules such as Ancient Sources in Context, Introduction to the Ancient World, The Ancient World in the Modern Day, and Thinking Through Things: The Archaeology And Anthropology Of Material Worlds. Year two continues with core skill development in Making History: Historians and Audiences and Making History Part 2: Debates and Research, alongside preparation for international study. Optional choices across the degree span subjects like Latin language study, ancient philosophy, archaeology, and specific historical periods. The final year focuses on advanced independent study supported by compulsory modules including Reading Histories and the Ancient History Dissertation.
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: Pass, with 32 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level
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What students say
Based on about 123 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 94%
- Learning opportunities: 85%
- Assessment and feedback: 82%
- Academic support: 96%
- Organisation and management: 86%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 82%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 170 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 97%
- Left higher education: 1%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 1%
What graduates do next
Based on about 36 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 57%
- Working and studying: 17%
- Further study: 11%
- Unemployed: 8%
Most common jobs
- Sales occupations: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 15%
- Finance Professionals: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 55%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 335 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 10%
- London: 32%
- South East: 41%
- South West: 10%
- Wales: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 145 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 98%
- Baccalaureate: 1%
- Foundation course: 1%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Ancient Sources in Context
- Introduction to the Ancient World
- The Ancient World in the Modern Day
- Thinking Through Things: The Archaeology And Anthropology Of Material Worlds
- Antiquity and Authority: Ancient Persia in Modern Iranian Politics
- Debates and Issues in Archaeological Science
- From Alexander to Augustus: Leadership in the Ancient World
- Introduction to Ethnography: Food and Culture
- Landscapes and Seascapes of Britain’s Past
- Latin 2
- Literary Transformations
- Masada: History and Myth
- Humanities Study Abroad Preparation Module
- Making History Part 2: Debates and Research
- Making History: Historians and Audiences
- Year Abroad Report Module for Humanities Students
- Year in Employment
- Ancient Greek Philosophy
- Ancient Greeks at War
- Ancient Rome: the First Metropolis
- Antiquity and Authority: Ancient Persia in Modern Iranian Politics
- Bones, Bodies and Burials: osteology and comparative anatomy
- Creating Elizabeth I: Ancient Inspiration for a Renaissance Queen (1558-1603)
- Digital Futures of the Past: Power, Ethics, and Representation
- Humanities and Professional Practice
- Imperial China: From China’s mythical emperors to the 19th century
- Introduction to Ethnography: Food and Culture
- Introduction to Film Studies
- Latin 1
- Latin 2
- Maritime Archaeology
- Myth and the Ancient World
- Rome: Politics and Power
- The Power of Rome: Europe’s first empire
- Ancient History Dissertation
- Reading Histories
- A Short History of Exploration
- A Short History of the Populist Leader
- Ancient Rome: the First Metropolis
- Classical Chinese Philosophy
- Classical Indian Philosophy: Self, Knowledge, and Liberation
- Creating Elizabeth I: Ancient Inspiration for a Renaissance Queen (1558-1603)
- Cultures in Contact: A Diverse Ancient World
- Cultures in Contact: Resisting Rome
- Framing the Past:Stardom, History and Heritage in the Cinema
- Later Anglo-Saxon England
- Latin 1
- Latin 2
- Living with the Romans: Urbanism in the Roman Empire
- More than Pyramids & Pharaohs? Ancient Egypt in Context
- Presenting the Past: Museums and Heritage
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Ancient History at University of Southampton earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £26,500 after 3 years, £34,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,500 and £44,000. The £34,000 median after five years is £3,500 more than the UK median for History.
What do graduates of BA Ancient History at University of Southampton 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 Southampton?
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 Southampton?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 135 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Ancient History at University of Southampton?
97% of students continued into their second year, and 1% left higher education.