Ranking
Top 10
in the UK
Facilities for students in the College of Arts and Law
From podcasting to brain monitoring, our state-of-the-art facilities empower our students to create, perform, collaborate and explore in new and exciting ways.
Course overview
Want to become an expert in prehistoric Europe, Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome? Discover both archaeological and historical approaches to uncovering the ancient world.
Through field archaeology, historical interpretation and the study of material cultures, you’ll gain vital analytical, organisational, practical, research and teamworking skills. Prepare for exciting careers in sectors like cultural, heritage and museum organisations, education, media and more.
One of my favourite moments of the Study Tour was sitting in the middle of the Palace of Mycenae, looking out over the beautiful valley, and listening to our lecturer read the opening scene of Aeschylus' Agamemnon which was set in the very spot we were sat in!
Approach your degree from another perspective with our BA Liberal Arts programme. This may offer you an alternative way to study modules in your preferred subject areas.
We're University of the Year 2027
By choosing Birmingham, you'll be joining the Daily Mail University of the Year 2027.
With outstanding graduate employability outcomes and high student satisfaction just two of the reasons for our success, there has never been a better time to join us.
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Sign up to our mailing list to stay up to date with our latest events, scholarships and subject news.
Course highlights
- Top 10
in the UK for Classics and Ancient History
Guardian University Guide 2027
- Top 10
in the UK for Archaeology
Complete University Guide 2027
Gain analytical, practical and research skills, prepping yourself for an exciting career in sectors like cultural, heritage and museum organisations, education, media and more. You'll join a hands-on department offering archaeological fieldwork experience, study trips and access to fascinating collections.
Explore ancient sites on your Study Tour
Like the sound of an expert-guided trip to the ruins of the ancient world?
Birmingham students on the Study Tour to the Acropolis in Athens
Take in archaeological collections and sites like Athens, Corinth, Delphi, Epidaurus, Mycenae and Olympia.
Our academics and researchers
Our academics and researchers explore the ways in which humans have changed or reacted to nature and the environment and the ways in which ancient individuals communicated knowledge and ideas. They also conduct research into ancient cities and urban culture.
- Find out more about the mysterious Shropshire field where our student archaeologists train.
- Dr David Smith is a world expert in the field of insect archaeology. David teaches on the modules ‘Environmental Archaeology in the Lab’ and ‘Human Remains: From Forensics to Display’.
- Andrew Bayliss is an expert on ancient Sparta and is interested in the rural hinterland of Greek poleis. Andrew teaches on teaches on ‘Understanding Ancient Societies’.
Our Ancient History and Archaeology students
- See what student James enjoys the most about Archaeology Field School.
- Find out what student Charlotte thought of the CAHA Study Tour.
- Explore more highlights from the CAHA Study Tour by following the department's Instagram caha_uob.
Life in a creative city
As the UK's second city, Birmingham is a cultural and creative hub. Our industrial roots paved the way for a rich offering of museums, shops, restaurants and venues. Discover our city for yourself!
- Get a taste of the highlights of Birmingham city centre with Grace: from shopping to concert venues, the library, crazy pool and more.
- Searching for cute brunch spots and high street shopping? Check out Harborne with Liv.
- Read through nationally and internationally significant collections at Birmingham Library, the largest public library in Europe.
- Digbeth is home to galleries and social spaces like Centrala, Eastside Projects, Grand Union.
Department facilities
- Work alongside trained archaeological researchers at our three-week Archaeology Field School, receiving training in excavation, survey, site recording, environmental sampling and applied geoarchaeology.
- Cultural artefacts at your fingertips - You'll benefit from our excellent collections and library facilities, including environmental and material culture teaching collections. You’ll have access to the Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology Museum and the Danford Collection of African art and artefacts, alongside the Cadbury Research Library.
- Enhance your professional development with our exciting work placement opportunities with prestigious organisations including Birmingham Museums and the National Trust.
Talk to our students
Hear more about studying at Birmingham. Chat to one of our friendly students to find out more about your favourite course, our beautiful campus and life in our vibrant and cultural city.
Course delivery
Study at the University of Birmingham and learn from world-class experts — leaders in global teaching and research experience.
Lecture
Seminar
Tutorial
- Lectures: These give you an insightful, expert introduction to key topics; they also provide guidance to support your reading and assessments.
- Seminars: These are small group discussions where you share and test ideas with your academic tutor and your peers. Seminars help you understand topics better and build confidence in sharing your thoughts.
Support during your studies
At Birmingham, you’ll have plenty of support to help you adjust to university life:
- Personal Academic Tutors: You'll have a tutor assigned to you who will guide and support you throughout your studies.
- Wellbeing Officers: The Wellbeing team help with extensions, disabilities, extenuating circumstances, or any personal challenges. They’ll also connect you with further support on campus or elsewhere.
- Academic Writing Advisory Service: Tutorials, workshops and support in structuring an argument and developing your own academic voice.
- Student Experience Team: They offer research opportunities, and cultural, intellectual and social activities to enhance your university experience.
Contact hours
Your degree is designed to help you achieve 120 credits per year, which equals about 40 hours of learning each week. This includes lectures, seminars, workshops, independent study, revision, and assessments.
Assessment methods
You’ll be assessed in different ways to suit each module. At the start of a module, you’ll be told how and when you’ll be assessed. Methods will vary but may include coursework (e.g., essays), group or individual presentations and projects, exams, reports or computer-based assignments.
Feedback: You will receive timely feedback on each assessment, so you can learn from it and improve your performance in future assessments.
Module information
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
Year 1
Year 1
2027/28
Core modules
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Discover The Past | 20 |
| Greek World | 20 |
| Practice of Archaeology | 20 |
| Rethinking the Ancient World A: Mythology and Identity | 10 |
| Rethinking the Ancient World B: Other Voices | 10 |
| The Roman World | 20 |
| Understanding Archaeology | 20 |
Year 2
Year 2
2028/29
Core modules
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| CAHA Study Tour | 20 |
| Material Culture and Heritage | 20 |
| Understanding Ancient Societies | 20 |
Students choose 60 credits of optional modules. This can include up to 40 credits of appropriate level ancient language modules and/or ONE 20-credit Big Questions/Future or Professional Skills module.
General optional modules
Language Modules
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Advanced Texts | 20 |
| Greek 1 | 20 |
| Greek 2 | 20 |
| Latin 1 | 20 |
| Latin 2 | 20 |
Big Questions / Future Skills modules (choose at most ONE)
Professional Skills
Students may also apply to undertake a Professional Skills module at level I. If successful this will be taken in place of 20 credits of taught modules. The credits to be dropped will be discussed with the programme convenor. The placement can be taken either during the summer vacation (part-time or full-time) or during semester 1 (part-time only). The placement must be completed prior to the Christmas vacation. Students undertaking a Professional Skills module at level H.
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Professional Skills | 20 |
| Professional Skills - Freelance | 20 |
Year 3
Year 3
2029/30
Core modules
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| CAHA Dissertation | 40 |
Students must choose TWO co-requisite Special Subject modules (one per semester, one from List A and its matching one from List B) to the value of 40 credits.
Special Subject A
Special Subject B
Students also choose 40 credits of optional modules (20 in each Semester). This may include up to 40 credits of appropriate level ancient language modules and/or ONE 20-credit Professional Skills module if not undertaken at Level I.
General optional modules
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Age of Empires | 20 |
| Death, Burial and Society | 20 |
| Face to face with Egypt's Gods | 20 |
| Greek Mythology | 20 |
| War, Peace, and Diplomacy in the Roman World | 20 |
Language modules
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Greek 1 | 20 |
| Greek 2 | 20 |
| Latin 1 | 20 |
| Latin 2 | 20 |
Professional Skills
Students may also apply to undertake a Professional Skills module at level H. If successful this will be taken in place of one of their semester 1 taught modules. The placement can be taken either during the summer vacation (part-time or full-time) or during semester 1 (part-time only). The placement must be completed prior to the Christmas vacation. Students who undertook a Professional Skills module at level I will not be able to undertake a Professional Skills module at level H.
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Professional Skills | 20 |
| Professional Skills - Freelance | 20 |
Professional Skills module
The Professional Skills Module allows students to take part in an internship that they can apply for from a bank of placements provided by the college, or an internship that they land by themselves externally, as a means of promoting hands-on learning.
Intercalated opportunities
In the College of Arts and Law, we're committed to helping you become career-ready. With our intercalated options, we offer undergraduate students the opportunity to take an additional year and dive into industry, language and more.
Entry requirements
To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.
- A Level
ABB
- IB
6,5,5 including 32 points overall.
- BTEC
BTEC Extended Diploma: DDD. BTEC Diploma: DD, plus B at A-level. BTEC Subsidiary Diploma: D, plus AB at A-level.
Number of A levels required: 3
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
Applicants who take the EPQ and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade B in the EPQ. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.
Core Maths qualification
Applicants who take the Core Maths qualification and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade B in Core Maths. If you are also taking A-level Maths, you will not be eligible for an alternative offer through studying Core Maths. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.
Music performance
Applicants who have achieved (or who will achieve) any level 3 graded examination in music performance at grade 8 or above (e.g. ABRSM, Rockschool, Trinity College London) and outline that on their UCAS application will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus the Music qualification. This alternative offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.
High-level sports
Applicants who play sport at county level or above will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower. This alternative offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice. If you have already received a one grade reduction through one of our performance athlete schemes (e.g. our Elite Dual Career Athlete Pathway programme), then you will not receive an additional reduction - we will apply a maximum one grade reduction on an offer.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.
- TOEFL iBT tests taken before January 2026: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 22 in Speaking and 21 in Writing.
- TOEFL iBT tests taken from January 2026: 4.5 Overall with no less than 4.5 in two skills and 4 in two skills
- IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any band.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): PTE 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills.
- Cambridge English(exams taken from 2015): Cambridge English: Advanced Minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
- Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 33 in each skill
- Trinity ISE II: Not applicable
- Trinity ISE III: Pass in each Skill
Presessional English courses
If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September, including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.
Alternative Offers
Students who are eligible and complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive an alternative offer, which is typically two grades below the standard offer.
Our Contextual Offer scheme
Our Contextual Offer scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the Contextual Offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer. You don’t need to apply for this – it will be assessed and applied at the point of application if you’re eligible.
- Pathways to Birmingham
BBC - A level
- Contextual Offer
BBB - A level
Fees and scholarships
The University tuition fee covers the cost of your tuition, examination and graduation, and includes membership of the Guild of Students.
- £10,050
per year for domestic (UK) students for 2027/28
Undergraduate loans
To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.
Scholarships, grants and bursaries
At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.
Financial support for Home students
If you're a UK student and starting university in September 2026, find out more about what financial support is available to you.
Financial support for International students
We want to help you reach your full potential. Explore our wide variety of scholarships available for international students.
Application process
Whatever your journey to university looks like, we’re here to support you every step of the way. For all undergraduate courses at Birmingham, you apply online through UCAS. The UCAS website has lots of information and advice around the process.
- 13 January 2027
Application deadline for September 2027 entry. Applications close at 18:00 GMT.
View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.
Ask us a question
If you have a question about our admissions process, including how to apply, your offer and how to track your application, please speak to our team.
Career opportunities
Studying in the department of Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology involves analysing the ancient world in a political, social, and cultural context. This develops a number of sought-after skills including:
- Research and analysis of complex information
- Working independently and as part of a team
- Articulate communication
- Those who choose to study Latin and Greek, also develop analytical and verbal reasoning skills, discipline and application, and a rich and varied vocabulary.
You will be in high demand and well placed to forge a rewarding career in a variety of spheres, including:
- Law
- Education
- Media
- Publishing
- Local government
- Museums and charities
- Cultural and heritage organisations
Our Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology students have gone on to secure roles such as 'Archaeologist', 'Managing Director' and 'Founder,' working for organisations such as:
- The National Trust
- Museum of London Archaeology
- Archaeology Warwickshire
The University has commissioned Cturtle as our data partner for tracking our alumni destinations. The data above is a subset from 43,666 alumni who completed their course up to 31 July 2024.
- 2nd
We’re consistently one of the top UK universities targeted by leading graduate employers
High Fliers ‘Graduate Market in 2026’ report
Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique.
Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.
Careers Network
Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.
Built in Birmingham. Forged for the future.
Hear from some of our inspiring alumni who have gone on to work for leading employers such as the UK Space Agency and BBC Sport.
Upcoming events
There are currently no upcoming events
Student experience
Your experience studying at Birmingham will give you the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Accommodation
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. In our student accommodation, you can enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Birmingham: a city built for students
Our cosmopolitan city has a unique history and so much to see and do. With an ever-changing food and drink scene, a vibrant nightlife and plenty of culture, our city is more than somewhere to study.
Student support
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus.
Campus life
Our beautiful campus is the place where our diverse community comes together to learn and socialise. Like a town of its own, it’s just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Flexible programmes to suit you
Not sure what you want to study?
Explore your options for combining subjects and shape your degree around your interests, whilst developing key skills for the world of work.
Intercalated years
Our intercalated opportunities offer the chance to take a year out from your existing course to study within another field. This takes place usually between year 2 and year 3 of your programme.
Take a virtual tour
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.