Ancient History and History, BA (Hons)

Explore History across Five Thousand Years

Swansea University students at Messene Odeon

Course Overview

Our BA in Ancient History and History lets you study across a broad period of ancient, medieval and modern history. You’ll explore a wide range of topics, from Greek city-states and Roman emperors to medieval monarchies, modern revolutions, and the ideas that have shaped societies across centuries. Whether you're drawn to ancient myths and monuments or to themes like human rights and disease, this course allows you to explore history in all its complexity. 

Our degree opens up exciting debates about how we as historians organise the study of the past. Rather than treating historical periods as isolated blocks, our course encourages you to think critically about the chronological boundaries we place on the past. Key themes, such as power, gender, belief, and resistance, cut across traditional divisions, helping you to understand the limitations of breaking up the past arbitrarily into chunks of time with fixed labels. 

With a broad range of modules open to you across the whole span of history (Ancient, Medieval, Early Modern, and Modern), you’ll have the flexibility to tailor your studies to your interests. You might focus on ancient and medieval history, exploring connections between antiquity and the modern world, or examine how ideas and institutions have evolved across different eras. How did power work in different societies? What was the experience of minority communities across history? How have constructions of sexuality and gender developed over time? We’ll help you develop the tools to compare different periods of history to appreciate what changed and when, and what stayed the same.

Why Ancient History and History at Swansea?

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

Classics and Ancient History at Swansea is ranked:

•    2nd in the UK for Teaching Quality (Times Good University Guide 2026)
•    3rd in the UK for Student Experience (Times Good University Guide 2026)
•    5th in the UK for Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2026)
•    8th in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction (Guardian University Guide 2026)
•    9th in the UK for Graduate Prospects (Guardian University Guide 2026)
•    Top 51-150 in the World (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)

History at Swansea is ranked:
•    5th in UK for Overall Positivity (NSS 2025) - assessed under 'Classics'*
•    Top 25 in the UK for Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2026)
•    94% of History graduates are in employment and/or study, or doing other activities such as travelling 15 months after leaving Swansea University (Graduate Outcomes Survey 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 and History Experience

You’ll be among the first to engage with fresh perspectives and hear groundbreaking ideas about the past as our academics are at the forefront of historical research. Learning at Swansea University is dynamic and interactive, whether you're discussing evidence with a partner, collaborating in small groups, or developing your own interpretations independently, you'll experience a variety of approaches that suit different learning styles. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to sharpen essential skills, from analysing primary sources and exploring archives to questioning established scholarly views. 

As you explore the ancient, medieval, and modern worlds, you’ll gain a set of skills that extend far beyond the study of history. You’ll learn how to conduct independent research, evaluate evidence, build persuasive arguments, and communicate your ideas with clarity and confidence. Along the way, you’ll strengthen your ability to work both independently and collaboratively, skills that are highly valued in any career. 

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.

Ancient History and History Employment Opportunities

As a student of Ancient History and History at Swansea University 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. 

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

  • Heritage and Tourism
  • Teaching and Education
  • 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 and History, BA (Hons)

Ancient History and History with a Year Abroad, BA (Hons)

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