Ancient History and History

Overview

This Ancient History and History BA programme from the University of Reading enables you to study the classical world alongside modern history. Ancient history gives you an understanding of the cultures and societies of the Greek and Roman worlds, a period spanning from 2000 BC to around 600 AD, while modern history focuses on the era from the Crusades to the 1960s.

Your first year is about discovery and experimentation. You will address important modern questions and trace them back to their roots, exploring different periods of history through both literary and material sources. You can enhance your knowledge of the ancient worlds through optional Latin and Greek language modules, or deepen your understanding through hands-on experience with artefacts from the Ure Museum.

Your history modules will lead you through the last thousand years, giving you the chance to explore different historical periods before pursing your own interests later in the course.

To complement your studies you can choose one of the History Department's popular employability modules and gain useful transferable skills and work experience. The University also offers all students the chance learn a modern language alongside their core subjects.

You will be encouraged to gain direct experience of ancient sites through independent travel, for which scholarships are available. You can also apply to study at the British School at Athens and the British School at Rome, which both offer summer school opportunities to University of Reading students.

Career opportunities:

An Ancient History and History degree from Reading offers excellent career prospects:

• Overall 93% of graduates from Classics are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation. (Based on our analysis of HESA data (c) HESA 2023, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21 includes first degree Classics responders)
• Overall 94% of our History graduates are in work and/or study 15 months after the end of their course. (Based on our analysis of HESA data (c) HESA 2023, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21 includes all History responders)

With this course, you will develop essential transferable skills, including the ability to think critically, to work in a team and to communicate with confidence, making you an ideal candidate for many employers. Our previous graduates have pursued a career in a wide variety of sectors, including:

• accountancy and banking
• the government and the civil service
• law
• heritage and museums
• teaching
• publishing
• public sector management
• libraries and archives
• media research and production.