Egyptology and Ancient History with a Foundation Year, BA (Hons)

Keep In Touch

Key Course Details

UCAS Code: VV40
Mode of Study: Campus Based
Typical Offer (view equivalents): CDD-DDD
Location: Singleton Park Campus

Start Date	Tuition Fees - Year 1
Sep 2025	£ 9,535
Sep 2026	£ 9,535

4 Year Full Time With a Foundation Year

UCAS Code: VV40
Mode of Study: Campus Based
Typical Offer: CDD-DDD - More Information
Location: Singleton Park Campus

Start Date	Tuition Fees - Year 1
Sep 2025	£ 18,400
Sep 2026	£ 19,300

Explore Ancient Egyptian Art, History, Civilisation and Archaeology

Swansea University students at Messene Odeon

Course Overview

Egyptology and Ancient History is an exciting course that offers a comprehensive exploration of the rich histories and cultures of ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Through this programme, you will gain valuable skills in research, analysis, and critical thinking, while developing a deep understanding of the social, political, and economic structures of these ancient cultures and societies.

With a focus on the art, archaeology, languages, and literature of these societies, this programme is designed to equip you with a strong foundation in the study of the ancient Eastern Mediterranean world, while providing you with a range of transferable skills that are valuable in many industries.

Whether you’re interested in pursuing a career in academia, cultural institutions, publishing, tourism, or other fields that value critical thinking, research, and communication skills, the BA in Egyptology and Ancient History is the perfect choice for you. Join us on this exciting journey to explore the ancient world, its legacy, and its impact on contemporary society.

The additional Foundation Year included in this programme gives you an exciting introduction to Higher Education, setting you up with the skills, confidence, and knowledge that you’ll need to be successful on your undergraduate degree. It’s ideal if you need a little more support after Further Education or are returning to education after a gap. Following successful completion of the Foundation Year, you will progress onto Year 1 of the BA.

Why Egyptology and Ancient History with a Foundation Year at Swansea?

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

You’ll be joining a leading programme at Swansea, that is currently ranked:

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

Your Egyptology and Ancient History with a Foundation Year Experience

During your Foundation Year, you will learn the key skills you’ll need to make your degree a success, while developing key knowledge that will relate directly to your BA.

During the following three years, the opportunity to build valuable experience is fundamental, with history and heritage fieldtrips enabling you to experience history in its place, and varied placement opportunities enhancing your understanding of the museum industry and heritage practices. You will also have the chance to volunteer at our own Egypt Centre, which houses over 5,000 genuine Egyptian artefacts, and can benefit from our close links with local schools, via the Welsh Classics Hwb, as well as our placement module, where you can gain classroom experience, teaching students about the ancient world.

This course offers you various opportunities to demonstrate your new understanding of the ancient world. Our range of assessments will help you develop your ability to communicate your knowledge in various ways, such as presentations, blogposts, or creative assignments, as well as more traditional essays. These assessments are carefully structured to support you in building skills and confidence as you progress.

You can also join our student-run Ancient World Society, which organises a variety of social and cultural events.

The programme includes opportunities to undertake a Semester or Year Abroad, spent in locations such as the USA, Canada, China, Hong Kong, or Singapore, enhancing your learning and offering invaluable life 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 only 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 your responsibility, we work with a number of organisations who provide a range of placements. You will also 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.

Egyptology and Ancient History with a Foundation Year Employment Opportunities

As a graduate of this programme, you will typically develop excellent 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 will be directly applicable to life after university.

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

Heritage Management and Tourism
Museums and Cultural Institutions
Education and Teaching
Publishing, Media and Public Relations
Business and Management
Politics and Civil Service
Research and Development

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.

Year 0 (Level 3)

Entry Level 3 / Foundation Year

Compulsory Modules
Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Academic Writing and Skills Development	September-January (TB1)	20	FY-011
Introduction to Being Human	September-January (TB1)	20	FY-012
Introduction to Research	September-January (TB1)	20	FY-015
Critical Reflection and Problem Solving	January-June (TB2)	20	FY-014
Research Essay	January-June (TB2)	20	FY-016
History, Memory and the Creation of Identity	January-June (TB2)	20	FY-018

Year 1 (Level 4)

FHEQ 4 Undergraduate / HECert

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules
Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Introduction to Ancient Egyptian History, Society and Culture	September-January (TB1)	20	CLE120
Greek History and Society	September-January (TB1)	20	CLH100
Age of Empire: Ancient Egypt and her Neighbours	January-June (TB2)	20	CLE115
Rome from Village to Empire: An Introduction to Roman History	January-June (TB2)	20	CLH150

Optional Modules

Choose Exactly 40 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Select ONE module from EACH teaching block. To enrol in a TB2 Latin or Greek module, you MUST enrol in the corresponding TB1 module. Staff can advise on the appropriate level of Latin or Greek modules on request.

Optional Modules - Ancient History
Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Of Gods and Heroes - Greek Mythology	September-January (TB1)	20	CLC101
Beginning Greek 1	September-January (TB1)	20	CLG101
Intermediate Greek 1	September-January (TB1)	20	CLG105
Further Greek 1	September-January (TB1)	20	CLG125
Beginning Latin 1	September-January (TB1)	20	CLL101
Intermediate Latin 1	September-January (TB1)	20	CLL105
Further Latin 1	September-January (TB1)	20	CLL125
Ovid's Metamorphoses: The Transformations of Mythology	January-June (TB2)	20	CLC102
Introduction to Ancient Philosophy and Rhetoric	January-June (TB2)	20	CLC103
Beginning Greek 2	January-June (TB2)	20	CLG102
Intermediate Greek 2	January-June (TB2)	20	CLG106
Further Greek 2	January-June (TB2)	20	CLG126
Beginning Latin 2	January-June (TB2)	20	CLL102
Intermediate Latin 2	January-June (TB2)	20	CLL106
Further Latin 2	January-June (TB2)	20	CLL126
Fieldtrip: The Past in its Place	January-June (TB2)	20	HHC100

Year 2 (Level 5)

FHEQ 5 Undergraduate / HEDip

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

None found.

Optional Modules

Choose Minimum Of 40 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Select at least TWO and normally THREE of these modules. Overall students must not exceed 60cr (three modules) in any one teaching block

Compulsory Modules Selective - Egyptology
Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Introduction to Egyptian Archaeology	September-January (TB1)	20	CLE214
Language of the Pharaohs: An Introduction to Hieroglyphic Literacy	September-January (TB1)	20	CLE235
Egyptian Art and Architecture	January-June (TB2)	20	CLE220

AND

Choose Minimum Of 40 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Select at least TWO and normally THREE of these modules, one of which must have a CLH code. TO enrol in a TB2 Latin or Greek module you should normally enrol in the corresponding TB1 module. Staff can advise on the appropriate level of Latin or Greek upon request. Overall students must not exceed 60 credits in any one teaching block

Ancient History - Compulsory Selective
Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Intermediate Greek 1	September-January (TB1)	20	CLG203
Beginning Greek 1	September-January (TB1)	20	CLG221
Further Greek 1	September-January (TB1)	20	CLG225
Advanced Greek 1	September-January (TB1)	20	CLG227
Guided Research Project	September-January (TB1)	20	CLH2009
The Heirs of Rome: The Making of Christendom, Byzantium, and Islam in the Early Middle Ages, 400-800	September-January (TB1)	20	CLH230
Greek City States	September-January (TB1)	20	CLH264
Intermediate Latin 1	September-January (TB1)	20	CLL203
Beginning Latin 1	September-January (TB1)	20	CLL221
Further Latin 1	September-January (TB1)	20	CLL225
Advanced Latin 1	September-January (TB1)	20	CLL227
Intermediate Greek 2	January-June (TB2)	20	CLG204
Beginning Greek 2	January-June (TB2)	20	CLG222
Further Greek 2	January-June (TB2)	20	CLG226
Advanced Greek 2	January-June (TB2)	20	CLG228
The Imperial Image: Roman Emperors and Imperial Women in History, Literature and Art.	January-June (TB2)	20	CLH2006
Myths and Society in the Greek World	January-June (TB2)	20	CLH2008
Gender in the Roman World	January-June (TB2)	20	CLH267
Intermediate Latin 2	January-June (TB2)	20	CLL204
Beginning Latin 2	January-June (TB2)	20	CLL222
Further Latin 2	January-June (TB2)	20	CLL226
Advanced Latin 2	January-June (TB2)	20	CLL228
Schools work placement: Teaching ancient history and ancient languages	January-June (TB2)	20	CLP202
The Past in the Present: Exploring Heritage Practice and Debates	January-June (TB2)	20	HHC200

AND

Choose Maximum Of 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Students may choose a maximum of 20 credits from the following modules to count towards the Ancient History side of the degree. Students must not exceed 60 credits (three modules) in any one teaching block.

Optional Modules
Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
The Roman Comic Novel: Excrement and Sacrament	September-January (TB1)	20	CLC204
Reading Classical Civilisation	September-January (TB1)	20	CLC206
Cicero: Man of Letters	January-June (TB2)	20	CLC2012
Decision and Responsibility: The Tragic Predicament	January-June (TB2)	20	CLC209

Year 3 (Level 6)

FHEQ 6 Undergraduate / Honours

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules
Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Classics, Ancient History, Egyptology Dissertation	September-June (TB1+2)	40	CLD300

Optional Modules

Choose Minimum Of 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : You should normally select one of these CLE modules if your dissertation is on an Egyptology topic or both modules if it is not. In total students need two modules per semester from this or the boxes below, alongside the dissertation

Egyptology - Compulsory Selective
Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
After Empire: Pharaonic Egypt in the first millennium BCE	September-January (TB1)	20	CLE399
The Archaeology of Ancient Nubia - Egypt's Neighbour in Africa	January-June (TB2)	20	CLE350

AND

Choose Minimum Of 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : You should normally select one of these modules if your dissertation is on an Ancient History topic; one or two if your dissertation is on a topic which bridges Egyptology and Ancient History; or two or three if your dissertation is on an Egyptology topic. To enrol in a TB2 Latin or Greek module, you should normally enrol in the corresponding TB1 module. Staff can advise on the appropriate level of Latin or Greek modules on request.

Ancient History - Compulsory Selective
Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Intermediate Greek 1	September-January (TB1)	20	CLG321
Further Greek 1	September-January (TB1)	20	CLG325
Advanced Greek 1	September-January (TB1)	20	CLG327
Advanced Greek 3	September-January (TB1)	20	CLG329
Greek City States	September-January (TB1)	20	CLH364
Culture and Control in Roman Britain	September-January (TB1)	20	CLH381
Pompeii and the Cities of Vesuvius	September-January (TB1)	20	CLH394
Intermediate Latin 1	September-January (TB1)	20	CLL321
Further Latin 1	September-January (TB1)	20	CLL325
Advanced Latin 1	September-January (TB1)	20	CLL327
Advanced Latin 3	September-January (TB1)	20	CLL329
Monarchy: Ancient and Medieval	September-January (TB1)	20	HHC372
Intermediate Greek 2	January-June (TB2)	20	CLG322
Further Greek 2	January-June (TB2)	20	CLG326
Advanced Greek 2	January-June (TB2)	20	CLG328
Advanced Greek 4	January-June (TB2)	20	CLG330
Myths and Society in the Greek World	January-June (TB2)	20	CLH3008
Pagans, Christians, and the "Falls" of Rome	January-June (TB2)	20	CLH374
Intermediate Latin 2	January-June (TB2)	20	CLL322
Further Latin 2	January-June (TB2)	20	CLL326
Advanced Latin 2	January-June (TB2)	20	CLL328
Advanced Latin 4	January-June (TB2)	20	CLL330
Schools work placement: Teaching ancient history and ancient languages	January-June (TB2)	20	CLP309

AND

Choose Maximum Of 40 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : You may, but do not need to, select one or two modules from this list to complete a total of 120 credits. In total students need two modules per semester alongside the dissertation

Optional Modules
Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
The Roman Comic Novel: Excrement and Sacrament	September-January (TB1)	20	CLC304
Cicero: Man of Letters	January-June (TB2)	20	CLC3012
Decision and Responsibility: The Tragic Predicament	January-June (TB2)	20	CLC309

Entry Requirements

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

Typical A level Offer

CDD-DDD

How You're Taught

At Swansea, you will benefit from a high-quality, research-informed education that combines a range of effective and inclusive teaching methods, carefully tailored to suit the needs of your course. Most courses are taught in person, on campus, giving you the opportunity to actively engage with other students, academic staff, and the wider university community.

You can expect a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops, and practical sessions - including laboratory work, skills training, or studio-based teaching where relevant to your discipline. These sessions are designed to encourage active participation, collaboration, and the development of both subject-specific and transferable skills.

Digital learning tools are also used to enhance your learning experience. These may include:

Recorded lectures to support flexible study and revision.
Virtual labs or simulated environments, particularly in science, healthcare, and technical disciplines.
Online resources on the university’s virtual learning environment (Canvas), including videos, reading materials, quizzes, and discussion forums.

This approach enables you to engage with and review content at your own pace while benefiting from the structure and support of in-person teaching.

This course may offer some modules taught through the medium of Welsh or bilingually for students who consider themselves to be fluent Welsh speakers. For more details on the provision available see the Welsh Provision expander below.

N.B If you are an international student studying with a Student Route Visa, please note that your timetabled activity, along with any additional supervisory activity (with Swansea University staff present) will take place on campus. In line with UKVI protocol, these sessions will be monitored and data made available on request.

Welsh Provision

No Provision

Unfortunately, there is currently no formal Welsh-medium provision on this course. If you would like to let us know that you are interested in pursuing an element of your course through the medium of Welsh, please email astudio@abertawe.ac.uk to indicate your interest along with your year of entry and we will do our best to see what is possible.

Whilst this course does not offer academic content delivered in Welsh, the University can provide you with the following, and Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you:

An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
The option to receive your personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.
The option to write and submit your coursework or exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and your work will be marked in Welsh.
A Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor.
One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.
An opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers.
Opportunity to be a member of the Swansea University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

To learn more about the above and all the opportunities available to you through the medium of Welsh, visit Academi Hywel Teifi's undergraduate pages.

Meet Your Lecturers

Our degrees are taught by experts, who have a wealth of knowledge to pass on to you.

You can find out more about our academic expertise on our staff pages.

Tuition Fees

Start Date	UK	International
September 2025	£ 9,535	£ 18,400
September 2026	£ 9,535	£ 19,300

Fees for full time undergraduate UK students may increase in subsequent years of study in line with the maximum regulated fee level set by the Welsh Government

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

Funding and Scholarships

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Additional Costs

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

Travel to and from campus
Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
Purchase of books or texts
Gowns for graduation ceremonies

Careers and Employability

The Careers and Employability Team will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
Advice and guidance on postgraduate study and funding
Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

Academic Support

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal tutor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

Academic writing
Maths and statistics
Critical thinking
Time management
Digital skills
Presentation skills
Note taking
Revision, memory and exam techniques
English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

Study Abroad and Global Opportunities

To learn more about study abroad, visit our Go Global webpages.

International summer programmes are open to students from all schools. Programmes typically range from 2 to 6 weeks, across destinations such as Sri Lanka, South Korea, Fiji, Bali, the USA and across Europe. For more information about programmes and eligibility visit our Summer Abroad webpages.

How to Apply

Apply now – UK, EU and international students.

For further guidance please visit our how to apply pages.

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.

Application Deadlines

We recommend that you submit your application to our courses as early as you can in advance of our application deadlines. Courses will close earlier than the application deadlines listed if all available places are filled. You can find further information on our Application Deadlines webpage.

Additional Information

Make an undergraduate enquiry

International students contact our International Team

Discover your University

Take a Virtual Tour

Undergraduate Prospectus

Welsh Medium Study

Chat with a Current Student