Ancient History, BA (Hons)

Develop your Interest and Passion for Antiquity and Ancient Cultures

Swansea University students at Messene Odeon

Course Overview

Ancient History explores the societies and cultures of Greeks and Romans, tracing how they developed during a period of well over a thousand years. Societies and events of the Graeco-Roman world may appear distant but remain influential, even today, and have complex legacies.

This degree will introduce you to the theories and methodologies that will help you grasp the variety of lived experiences that resulted from the ancient world. You’ll be supported as you develop new skills step-by-step, building on practice in class and constructive feedback, to be able to investigate, analyse and present ancient evidence effectively.

We’ll introduce you to different historical approaches; thinking about ancient lives and livelihoods, ways in which people shaped their environment, and how they developed ideas to explain the world around them. 

You can also learn about ancient societies’ interactions with their neighbours around the Mediterranean and nations further afield, from Britain to Persia and India. As we also offer Egyptology, you’ll have a unique chance to learn more about ancient Egypt and Sudan.

You’ll have opportunities to deal with archaeological sources such as ancient art, material remains and landscapes, and we’ll work together to interpret ancient texts, from literary works to inscriptions or graffiti. You can also choose to study Latin or ancient Greek to appreciate these sources as they were originally written.

There are many different ways to study the ancient world, enabling you to play to your strengths and follow your specific interests. The programme is designed to foster rigorous thinking, the ability to analyse complex material, and to communicate your ideas to different audiences; skills that will open exciting career opportunities in a wide range of professions.

Why Ancient History at Swansea?

We are based on our stunning Singleton Park Campus, overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsula.

You will be studying in a high-performing department, with Classics and Ancient History at Swansea University currently ranked:

•    11th in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2026)
•    5th in UK for Overall Positivity (NSS 2025) - assessed under 'Classics'*
•    2nd in the UK for Teaching Quality (Times Good University Guide 2026)
•    3rd in the UK for Student Experience (Times Good University Guide 2026)
•    Top 15 in the UK for Graduate Prospects (Complete University Guide 2026)
•    Top 51-150 in the World (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)

*Based on the overall positivity score for questions 1-26 in the NSS 2025, when ranked against universities as featured in the Times Good University Guide

Your Ancient History Experience

You can choose to study a wide selection of topics in this discipline, working with academics who are globally recognised experts in the field. We have expertise in areas from the Greek city states and their geographers, Cyprus through the ages, and Alexander the Great, to Roman Syria, Pompeii, and the bishops and emperors of the later Roman empire.

Throughout your degree, you will have a personal academic mentor who can lend you support with your studies. We are a close-knit community and enjoy exploring the ancient world beyond the classroom. Our student-run Ancient World Society organises regular social and cultural events, including museum trips, which are an excellent way for you to meet like-minded individuals.

We have close contacts to the heritage sector, and you can volunteer at a number of local museums, including our own Egypt Centre, which houses over 5,000 genuine Egyptian artefacts on our Singleton Campus.

The programme includes opportunities to undertake a Semester or Year Abroad, allowing you to immerse yourself in a new culture, enhancing your learning and understanding, as well as offering invaluable experience.

This course also offers you the opportunity to spend a Year in Industry, in the UK or overseas, giving valuable workplace experience. The University advocates for paid placements which on average have a salary of over £20,000. Unpaid placements are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Although securing a placement is the responsibility of the student, we work with a number of organisations who provide a range of placement opportunities. You will be supported throughout your application journey with advice, guidance and additional resources. If you are unable to secure a placement by the end of the second year of your studies, you will transfer onto the equivalent degree programme.

Ancient History Employment Opportunities

As a student of Ancient History, you will typically develop excellent communication, presentation and writing skills related to research, analysis, and problem solving. You will learn to develop your ideas in a wide range of formats, which are directly applicable to life after university. We expect our graduates to be critically agile, analytical thinkers, adept at research, and possessing a strong problem-solving skillset, including the ability to make informed decisions. 

We have close links with local schools, in part via the Welsh Classics Hwb, as well as through our Teaching Placement Module, where you can also gain valuable classroom experience by teaching pupils about the ancient world as part of your course.

Our graduates enter careers in a wide range of sectors including:

•    Education
•    Heritage and Tourism
•    Media and Public Relations
•    Marketing
•    Business and Management
•    Politics and Civil Service

Modules

We're currently reviewing our curriculum to enhance your learning experience and embed skills that will benefit your future career. This means that some modules may be subject to change.

Entry Requirements

The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications.

Typical A level Offer

ABB-BBC

Ancient History, BA (Hons)

Ancient History with a Year Abroad, BA (Hons)

Ancient History with a Year in Industry, BA (Hons)