BA Ancient History
About this course
BA in Ancient History, a history degree focused on the civilisations, societies, and political structures of the ancient world. Core topics include Research Methods. The curriculum culminates in a compulsory undergraduate dissertation in the final year. The first year introduces foundational approaches through compulsory modules Making History and Writing Ancient History, alongside optional choices such as The Mediterranean World c.800-c.500 BC. The second year continues skill development via the Second-Year Research Seminar alongside various historical study options. The final year centres on the History Undergraduate Dissertation, supported by specialist optional modules such as Cultures of War in Ancient Greece and Slavery in the Classical World.
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: AAA (History, Ancient History or Classical Civilisation) IB: 38 points (A total of 18 points in three higher level subjects including grade 6 in History, with no higher level score below 5.)
See the highest paying History, Philosophy & Religion degrees in the UK →
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 38%: 25 offers from 65 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 207 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 93%
- Learning opportunities: 81%
- Assessment and feedback: 79%
- Academic support: 91%
- Organisation and management: 80%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 74%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 125 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 12%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 2%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 19%
- Administrative occupations: 11%
- Finance Professionals: 8%
- Media Professionals: 8%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 6%
- Find their work meaningful: 78%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 67%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 335 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 10%
- London: 60%
- South East: 13%
- South West: 4%
- Scotland: 1%
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, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Making History
- Writing Ancient History
- Approaching History
- The History of Political Thought in the West
- The Mediterranean World c.800-c.500 BC
- The Roman Republic, c.350 BC - 44 BC
- Bronze Age States in the Ancient Middle East
- Second-Year Research Seminar
- Roman Democracy: Myth or Reality?
- Asia and Europe: Imagining the world in ancient Greece
- Rome AD 300-1000. Portraits of a City, Reflections of a Changing World
- Making Medieval Europe 1150 - 1350
- Religious Reformation and Popular Piety, 1450-1650
- War, Rebellion, and Social Discontent in Modern China
- Superpower: A Global History of the United States, 1898-1989
- The Cultural Cold War
- The Disunited States: Contested Visions of America, 1775-1860
- History of the Modern Middle East
- History Undergraduate Dissertation
- Between Politics and Culture: German Ideas 1890 - 1970
- Broadcasting Modernity: A Global History of Radio and Television in the Twentieth Century
- Cultures of War in Ancient Greece
- Slavery in the Classical World
- Ancient Greek Religion of the Archaic and Classical Period
- Ancient Anatolia Through Material Culture
- Aristocracy in Ancient Greece
- Thinking Postcolonially: Race and Empire in Twentieth Century Britain
- Penal Era or Golden Age?: Ireland 1689-1801
- The Ottoman Middle East in the Long Nineteenth Century
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Ancient History at University College London earn?
The median salary is £29,000 after 15 months, £28,500 after 3 years, £39,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £29,500 and £53,500. The £39,000 median after five years is £8,500 more than the UK median for History.
What do graduates of BA Ancient History at University College London do next?
87% 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 College 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 Ancient History at University College London?
The typical offer is AAA at A level, or 38 points in the IB. The average entrant had 157 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Ancient History at University College London?
38% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 25 offers from 65 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
How many students continue on BA Ancient History at University College London?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.