To understand the present, you need to discover the past. This programme covers the rise and development of ancient civilisations over several millennia, from the Ancient Near East and Ancient Egypt, to Classical Greece, Republican and Imperial Rome, and Late Antiquity.
The Institute of Archaeology and Antiquity is a lively environment where students find friendly encouragement to follow their own particular interests in the past, and where they can gain the necessary skills to equip them for a variety of careers in the future. Our distinctive emphasis on using literature, history and archaeology in the study of the ancient world, and the range of expertise available, ensures a wide choice of times, countries and cultures may be studied.
First year
This year gives you a grounding in Egyptian, Near Eastern and Greco-Roman culture and societies, as well as opening up some wider interdisciplinary perspectives.
Second year
Our Greek and Roman core modules develop your analytical skills and introduce you to advanced historical theory and methodology. We will engage in depth with key periods and key problems in ancient history, and examine the process of writing history itself. For instance, we will investigate the consequences of empire – at political, social, economic and cultural levels – for conquerors and conquered alike. Reading texts in the original is a great advantage, and you have the opportunity, if you wish, to learn one of the ancient languages – Sumerian, Egyptian, Greek or Latin. You also make your choice from our unique range of options. A special feature of the second year is the study tour to Egypt, Turkey, Greece or Italy in the Easter vacation.
Third year
The core modules focus on Ancient Egypt and Western Asia. Beginning with the origins of agriculture, you follow the development of these great civilisations down to the Middle Bronze Age, investigating their history, archaeology, art and literature. Once again, you make your choice from our list of options, which changes from year to year. The highlight of the final year is your dissertation: a substantial research project on a subject of special interest to you.
Teaching and assessment
Alongside lectures, you have tutorials, one-to-one meetings with supervisors, group meetings with other students and staff, and self-directed project work.
Career opportunities
The skills of an ancient historian – research, analysis and reasoning – are attractive to employers in a whole range of professions. Graduates in Ancient History go on to careers in a wide range of areas including law, business, education and the media.