Swansea University

What you'll study

This degree blends modules in ancient history and wider historical studies, allowing you to focus on topics such as Greece and Rome, Egyptology, the ancient Near East, and the reception of antiquity in later periods. You will study core approaches to historical evidence, historiography and methodology, alongside options in ancient languages, material culture, epigraphy, and archaeological interpretation.

• Core subjects: approaches to ancient history, research methods, and thematic surveys of political, social and cultural developments in the ancient world.
• Ancient specialisms: modules on Greek and Roman history, classical civilisation, Egyptology and the ancient Near East, including study of religion, warfare, economy and daily life.
• Languages and texts: introductory and advanced Latin and Ancient Greek where available, and training in working with inscriptions, papyri and ancient sources in translation.
• Material culture and archaeology: study of museums, artefacts, archaeological reporting and the use of scientific and contextual evidence in reconstructing past societies.
• Research project: a dissertation or extended project in your final year gives hands-on experience of independent research under academic supervision.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, seminars, language classes, and workshops. Assessment typically combines essays, source analyses, presentations and a major research project. Opportunities for fieldwork, study visits and optional exchange with partner institutions may be available depending on module choices.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to have qualifications equivalent to completion of secondary education, such as A-levels, Scottish Highers, Irish Leaving Certificate, the International Baccalaureate or recognised international equivalents. Typical offers ask for a strong profile across three A-levels or equivalent, with relevant subjects such as history, classics, languages or related humanities recommended but not always compulsory.

Swansea welcomes mature students and those with non-traditional qualifications; previous study or work experience in a related field can strengthen an application. Applicants whose first language is not English will need to meet the university's English language requirements through a recognised test or equivalent qualifications.

Career prospects

Graduates from this programme go on to careers that value critical thinking, research and communication skills. Common career paths include:

• Museums, galleries and heritage management — curatorial and collections roles, education and interpretation.
• Archives, libraries and record management — cataloguing, preservation and public engagement.
• Teaching and lecturing — secondary school teaching (with appropriate postgraduate teacher training) and higher education research/teaching routes.
• Public and cultural sector roles — local and national government, policy, community engagement and heritage organisations.
• Publishing, journalism and media — editorial, research and content production roles focusing on history, culture and education.
• Further study — master's and doctoral research in ancient history, classics, archaeology, museum studies or related fields.

Why study at Swansea University

Swansea offers a research-active humanities environment with small-group teaching that supports close supervision for language study and independent projects. The university's placement and careers services provide support for internships and graduate employment, while links with museums, heritage organisations and partner universities create opportunities for practical experience and study abroad.

The campus location gives good access to regional collections and archaeological resources, and the interdisciplinary nature of the School of Humanities allows you to combine ancient history with wider historical, cultural and language study. Students benefit from dedicated academic staff, skills workshops and a supportive community for developing both academic and professional pathways.