University of Leicester

What you'll study

This joint honours degree balances focused study of ancient Greece, Rome and the wider ancient Mediterranean with broader historical topics, methods and themes. In early years you build core skills in historical interpretation, source analysis and research methods alongside introductory ancient history modules; in later years you choose options to pursue particular chronological periods, regions or approaches.

• Year 1 / Level 1: introductory modules covering ancient societies, sources (literary, epigraphic and material), and fundamental historiographical and methodological skills; general history modules introduce long-term processes such as state formation, religion and economy.
• Year 2 / Level 2: more specialised modules on topics such as the Roman Republic and Empire, classical Greece, ancient Egypt and the Near East, imperialism and identity, or comparative thematic courses; training in palaeography, epigraphy or ancient languages may be offered or available as options.
• Final year / Level 3: you typically complete a substantial independent dissertation on an ancient history topic alongside advanced option modules in areas such as late antiquity, ancient social and cultural history, warfare, material culture, or cross-period thematic modules in history; opportunities for independent research projects and seminar-style learning increase.
• Skills and approaches: close reading of primary sources, interdisciplinary engagement with archaeology and material culture, historiography, quantitative and qualitative analysis, critical argumentation, and written and oral presentation.

Entry requirements

Applicants normally need a recognised secondary school qualification (such as A-levels, International Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers or an equivalent qualification) with good grades. Relevant subjects (history, classical civilisation, ancient languages, or related humanities subjects) are advantageous but not always mandatory. The department welcomes mature students and those with Access to Higher Education qualifications.

In addition to formal qualifications, successful applicants typically show evidence of interest in history or the ancient world through reading, voluntary work, museum visits, study of languages or other relevant activities. International students should meet the University's English language requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates from Ancient History and History develop research, critical thinking and communication skills that transfer across many sectors. Common career paths include:

• Heritage and museums: curatorial work, interpretation, education and outreach
• Archaeology and fieldwork: working with excavation teams, recording and post-excavation analysis (often alongside further specialist training)
• Teaching: moving into secondary education via teacher training or PGCE routes
• Public sector and civil service: policy, administration and heritage management roles
• Archives, libraries and records management
• Media, publishing and communications: research, editorial and content roles
• Further academic research: MA and PhD study in history, classics, archaeology or related fields
• Legal, commercial and business sectors: roles that value analytical and written skills

Why study at University of Leicester

The University of Leicester has active research groups in ancient history and related fields, providing students with access to staff expertise across Greek, Roman and Near Eastern studies and opportunities to be involved in research-led teaching. Strong links with the University’s archaeology unit and with local and regional museums create possibilities for placements, guest lectures and practical engagement with artefacts and archival materials.

Leicester’s interdisciplinary environment encourages collaboration between history, archaeology, classics and languages, and students benefit from the University library’s collections and Special Collections resources. The city itself has a rich heritage and local sites that support hands-on learning and community-focused projects, making it a practical setting for combining theoretical study with applied experience.