University of Reading United Kingdom

BA Ancient History and History

Integrated Masters with deeper specialization and research focus
Taught in English
Duration 3 Years
Mode On Campus
Level Undergraduate
Degree Bachelors Degree
Closing soon September 2026

Course Overview

Embark on a journey through the captivating worlds of ancient civilizations with the BA Ancient History and History at the University of Reading. This undergraduate degree is designed for intellectually curious students eager to explore the foundations of Western and global societies, from the rise of Greek city-states and the Roman Republic to the complex forces shaping modern history. You will delve into critical areas such as Greek history, Roman history, and the broader perspectives and methodologies of historical inquiry, learning to analyse diverse evidence and engage with ongoing scholarly debates. This programme offers a robust academic grounding for those passionate about understanding the past and its enduring influence.

You will study this course full-time on campus over three years, engaging with a curriculum that balances compulsory modules in Greek and Roman history with a wide array of optional subjects, allowing you to tailor your studies. Your learning experience will involve in-depth textual analysis, historical research, and potentially language acquisition in Latin or Ancient Greek. In your final year, you have the opportunity to undertake a significant dissertation or an independent project, honing your research and analytical skills. Graduates are well-prepared for diverse career paths, including heritage, education, public policy, and further academic research, equipped with a sophisticated understanding of historical contexts and critical thinking.

Course Curriculum & Details

Detailed information for serious evaluators

Program Overview

This program offers a comprehensive exploration of ancient history and broader historical studies. First-year modules introduce foundational concepts in Greek and Roman history, alongside essential historical methodologies. Subsequent years allow for specialization in diverse areas, from ancient literature and art to modern global and national histories, culminating in independent research projects or dissertations.

1 YEAR 1

Greek History: War, Society and Change in the Archaic Age Compulsory
Perspectives in History Compulsory
Roman History: The Rise and Fall of the Republic Compulsory
Making History and You: Practices and Possibilities Compulsory
Rape in the United States: From Colonisation to Civil Rights Optional
Warfare in Early Modern Europe, c.1500-1715 Optional
Doomsday Dystopias: Nuclear Disaster in the Cold War Imagination Optional
Merlin the Magician Optional
Ancient Song Optional
Latin 1-3 Optional
Ancient Greek 1-3 Optional
US Environmental Diplomacy from Nixon to Obama Optional
After Malthus: Sex, Society, Sustainability and the Politics of Population in the Long Nineteenth Century Optional
Presenting the Past: An Introduction to Museum Studies Optional
Optional Language or University Wide Modules Optional

2 YEAR 2

Greek History: Persian Wars to Alexander Optional
Ancient Epic Optional
Greek Sculpture and Architecture Optional
My Mother's Sin and Other Stories Optional
Latin 1-4 Optional
Ancient Greek 1-4 Optional
Careers for Classicists and Ancient Historians with Placement Optional
Careers for Classicists and Ancient Historians Optional
Roman History: From Republic to Empire Optional
Ancient Drama Optional
Going Public: Presenting the Past, Planning the Future Optional
People, Power and Revolution: Political Culture in Seventeenth-Century England Optional
'The Brightest Jewel in the British Crown’: The Making of Modern South Asia, 1757-1947 Optional
Europe in the Twentieth Century Optional
Reform and Revolt in the Modern Middle East: Egypt from Ataturk to the ‘Arab Spring’ Optional
Hollywood Histories: Film and the Past Optional
American Century: United States History since 1898 Optional
Preparing for your Dissertation Optional
Encountering the Atlantic World, 1450-1850 Optional
Women and Medieval History Optional
The Colonial Experience: Africa Since 1879 Optional
Black Britain: Race and Migration in Post-war United Kingdom Optional
Curatorship and Collections Management Optional
Medieval Medicine Optional
Museum Learning and Engagement Optional
The Crusades, 1095-1291 Optional
Medieval Europe: Power, Religion and Death Optional
From Revolution to Reconstruction: A Social History of the Nineteenth-Century USA Optional
Optional Language or University Wide Modules Optional
Society, Thought and Art in Modern Europe Optional

3 YEAR 3

Dissertation in Classics Optional
Independent Project in Classics Optional
Dissertation in History Optional
Latin 1-6 Optional
Ancient Greek 1-6 Optional
Greek and Roman Painting Optional
‘Race’ and Ethnicity in the Ancient Greek and Roman Worlds Optional
From Classroom to Courtroom: Mastering the Art of Persuasion in the Ancient World Optional
Medieval Magic and the Origins of the Witch-Craze Optional
Battleaxes and Benchwarmers': Early Female MPs 1919-1931 Optional
History Education Optional
Axis at War: Life and Death in Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, 1936-45 Optional
From Darwin to Death Camps? Evolution and Eugenics in European Society, 1859-1945 Optional
The American Civil War Optional
Utopia: The Quest for a Perfect World Optional
Poor Law to Hostile Environment: Repatriation, Deportation and Exclusion from Britain 1800-2016 Optional
Pirates of the Caribbean: Empire, Slavery, and Society, 1550-1750 Optional
The United States and the Cold War Optional
Optional Language or University Wide Modules Optional

Cost & Affordability

A clear picture of what this course will cost you

Program Costs

First Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 34,941.00
Second Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 34,941.00
Third Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 34,941.00
Total Program Cost Estimated total tuition
USD 104,824.00

Currency note: Program costs shown in USD based on the available tuition breakdown.

Living Costs

Accommodation
USD 1,126.00 - USD 18,832.00
Food & Groceries USD 2,417.00 - USD 4,028.00
Transport USD 645.00 - USD 1,289.00
Utilities & Bills USD 1,128.00 - USD 1,934.00
Estimated Total USD 4,190.00 - USD 7,251.00

Living cost estimates are based on WhiteKnights Campus.

Outcomes & Employability

What happens after you graduate

94%
Graduate Employment Rate Within 6 to 12 months of graduation

Common Graduate Roles

Advertising Finance & OperationsAerospace Supply Chain & LogisticsAlternative Aviation Fuel & SustainabilityAviation Safety & RegulationCommercial AviationDigital MarketingEvent & Experiential MarketingPerformance & Growth MarketingSocial Media & Community ManagementSpace Exploration & Satellite Technology

Top Employers Hiring for this course

Kings College London

Manchester City Council

Why Study BA Ancient History and History at University of Reading

What makes this program stand out

September 2026 Closing soon

Next intake is in September 2026

Life at University of Reading in United Kingdom

What daily life looks like for international students

Language

English

Primary language everywhere

Climate

Mild & Rainy

10-20°C average, pack layers

Safety (Numbeo Safety Index)

Very Safe

Exeter is one of UK's safest cities

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about BA Ancient History and History at University of Reading

Can I work while studying?

International students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during breaks. No separate work permit is required.

What English language score do I need for this course?

Applicants must meet specific English language requirements, including scores from tests like Duolingo, TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE. For instance, a TOEFL overall score of 100 is needed for admission.

What jobs can I get after studying this course?

Graduates can pursue careers as historians, archaeologists, museum curators, educators, or researchers.

What will I actually study in this course?

This degree explores ancient Greece and Rome, focusing on their history, societies, and cultural achievements. You’ll study a range of topics, including political and religious contexts of these civilizations.

When can I start — what are the intake months?

The BA Ancient History program has an intake in September each year. Make sure to prepare your application in advance for this start date.
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