Ancient and Medieval History, BA (Hons)

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Course Overview

Ancient and Medieval History explores and examines civilisations that may appear distant but remain influential even today, and studying this three-year BA degree opens up a range of exciting career opportunities by helping you develop skills, which are highly valued by employers.

You’ll have the chance to explore the history of Europe and Mediterranean regions from the ancient Athenians and Persians to the Crusades, and from the Roman Empire to the medieval kingdoms of England and France as well as the Welsh ‘age of the princes’, taking a variety of historical and archaeological approaches.

Why Ancient and Medieval History at Swansea?

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

Classics and Ancient History at Swansea is ranked:

  • 2nd in the UK for Student Experience (Times Good University Guide 2025)
  • 2nd in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction (Guardian University Guide 2025)
  • 3rd in the UK for Teaching Quality (Times Good University Guide 2025)
  • Top 20 in the UK for Graduate Outcomes (Complete University Guide 2025)
  • Top 51-150 in the World (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025) 

History at Swansea is ranked:

  • Top 15 in the UK for Student Experience (Times Good University Guide 2025)
  • Top 25 in the UK for Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2025)

Your degree programme will be delivered through lectures, tutorials and seminars and during your second year you will have the option to study a semester abroad in either USA, Canada, China, Hong Kong or Singapore.

If you prefer to stay closer to home, and you want to enhance your student experience and career prospects, you can gain teaching experience by leading workshops for the South West Wales Reaching Wider Partnership.

You also have the option to add a Year Abroad or Year in Industry to your degree.

The four year programme with a Year Abroad involves a year spent studying at one of our international partner institutions. This will take place between after your second year and enables you to develop key international focused skills and experience.

Alternatively, you the opportunity to spend a Year In Industry, in the UK or overseas (locations are dependent on VISA restrictions per country), giving valuable workplace experience. The University advocates for only paid placements which on average have a salary of over £20,000. Unpaid placements are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Your Ancient and Medieval History Experience

During your Ancient and Medieval History degree you will have a personal tutor for any pastoral and academic support you may need, and The Society of Ancient Studies and History student society organises social and cultural events.

To enhance your employability prospects we offer work placements through the Literacy to Latin Project to Universities. These placements are within Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and charities only.

Our interdisciplinary approach means you make connections with a range of subject areas – from examining past cultures to covering over two millennia of history across the European continent and the Mediterranean world. You can tailor your degree to your own interests with a variety of topics to choose from.

Ancient and Medieval History Employment Opportunities

Students on this course typically develop excellent oral and writing skills and you will also learn to develop your ideas in a wide range of formats, along with strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills.

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

  • Education
  • Archives
  • Museums and heritage
  • Media and Public Relations
  • Business and Management
  • Politics and humanitarian organisations
  • Public sector

Modules

The first year of your degree includes two compulsory modules and four optional modules, with choices typically including Greek History and Society, Gods and Heroes, Greek, Latin, and a Field Trip.

Year 2 is made up of one compulsory module and five optionals, with your choice of topics typically including Archaic Greece, The Heirs of Rome, a Schools Placement teaching ancient history and languages, and the Anglo-Norman World.

Your third year includes a wide variety of optional modules, which can include Pompeii and the Cities of Vesuvius, Culture and Control in Roman Britain, advanced levels of Greek or Latin, and a compulsory Dissertation.

If you choose to undertake a Year Abroad or Year in Industry, this will take place between your second and third years of study.

Ancient and Medieval History, BA (Hons)

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

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