Ancient History
University of Southampton
Ancient History
Course Summary
The ancient world has profoundly influenced subsequent generations of history, and studying antiquity offers you a way of understanding the foundations of today’s world. Ancient History at Southampton accompanies you on a journey through the ancient world: from ancient Egypt to the rise of Islam in the Middle East; from the conquests of Alexander the Great to the end of the Roman Empire; from the shores of Roman Britain to the pre-Colombian Americas; from ancient philosophy to Hollywood’s Cleopatra. Southampton is home to world-leading scholars in the study of the ancient world. We are passionate about teaching, and our Faculty team provides a supportive and stimulating environment that puts a premium on engagement, discussion and debate.
This BA programme will enable you to pursue your interests in Ancient History and the ancient world in depth. You will have the opportunity to study and research to a high level, equipping yourself with specialist knowledge in your chosen areas of study. Studying the ancient world at Southampton offers you the opportunity to learn in an engaging, supportive and highly successful research environment. Southampton’s Faculty of Humanities contains leading experts in a wide range of fields related to the ancient world and its reception (History, Archaeology, ancient and modern languages and literatures, philosophy and film). From ancient Egypt to Minoan civilisation, from the conquests of Alexander the Great to the Roman empire, from Roman Britain to the ancient Americas and the Middle East, from ancient philosophy and the biblical world to the rise of Islam, studying Ancient History at Southampton affords you the chance to study topics about which you are already passionate, or to try something entirely new. Whatever you choose, Ancient History at Southampton will enable you to gain invaluable skills and study topics about which both you and staff are passionate. The study of ancient languages is optional, but you are strongly encouraged to make the most of the opportunities on offer at Southampton to study Latin and Ancient Greek.
Course Details - Modules
Compulsory modules: Introduction to the Ancient World; Ancient History: Sources and Controversies; World History in 40 Objects; Ancient History Group Project; Dissertation. Typical optional modules: Masada: History and Myth; Consuls, Dictators, and Emperors; Alexander the Great and his Legacy; Latin Language; Ancient Greek Language; Introduction to Ancient Philosophy; Being Roman; Literary Transformations of Ancient Myth; Apocalyptic Visions; Emperor Constantine; Cleopatra’s Egypt; Augustus; City of Rome; Roman Imperial Women; Christian Origins; Power of Rome: Europe’s First Empire; Maritime Archaeology; The Vikings; The Bible and History; Framing the Past: stardom, history and heritage in the cinema; Presenting the Past: Archaeology and Museums; The Body and Society; Roman Emperors and Imperial Lives; Ancient Greeks at War; The Rise of Islam; Iron Age Societies of Britain and Ireland; Alternative Sexualities; The World of Herod the Great; Art of the Roman Empire
Course Details – Assessment Method
The multidisciplinary team offering Ancient History uses a range of assessment methods to ensure that students are able to demonstrate they have achieved intended learning outcomes. The most common means of assessment is an essay. Essays offer students the opportunity to demonstrate their use of skills in research and analysis to make their own arguments. Longer pieces of writing, allowing for a greater development of argument, become more common as an undergraduate progresses through his or her studies, and these allow students to formulate their own lines of historical enquiry, using archival material to create significant contributions to historical knowledge. Because source analysis (textual and material) is so fundamental to the understanding of the ancient world, we put a strong emphasis on developing skills in analysing primary sources through a variety of commentary exercises and take-away gobbet examinations (e.g. in Year One compulsory modules). Although they account for less than 50% of the overall degree mark, exams are also taken, in order to assess students’ ability to formulate clear, focused and engaging pieces of writing in test conditions. Individual and group oral presentations feature in some modules, including the compulsory Year One Introduction to the Ancient World module, and in Year Two, the Ancient History Group Project assesses students on their presentation skills and ability to engage with the wider public. Language modules will focus primarily on assessing skills in reading ancient sources and applying those skills to source analysis.
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.
How to Apply
26 January This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application Codes
Course code: V102
Institution code: S27
Campus Name: Main Site - Highfield Campus
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.
International applicants
Standard Qualification Requirements
Typical Offer: AAB including a Humanities subject*
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer:
ABB including a Humanities subject* and grade A in the EPQ
We are committed to ensuring that all students with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a student’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience.
Students who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows:
ABB including a Humanities subject
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.
*A Humanities subject includes subjects such as History, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects.
We normally consider applicants who offer at least 1 Advanced Higher. Applicants presenting with only Highers will be considered on a case by case basis. Where Highers are taken over two years it might be expected that higher grades are achieved, particularly in any specific subjects required. For example, S5 – S6 (2 years): AABBB (A in specific subject) or S6 (1 year): ABBBB (A in specific subject).
Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4"
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 39 must be at Distinction and 6 credits at Merit, to include 6 Distinctions in a Humanities subject*
*A Humanities subject includes subjects such as History, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects.
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact Admissions for more information.
Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus A in an A level Humanities subject*
*A Humanities subject includes subjects such as History, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects.
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in a Humanities subject*
*A Humanities subject includes subjects such as History, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects.
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP):
Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements.
Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Diploma plus A in an A level Humanities subject*.
*A Humanities subject includes subjects such as History, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects.
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 including a Humanities subject*
*A Humanities subject includes subjects such as History, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects.
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus A in an A level Humanities subject* and A in one further A level
*A Humanities subject includes subjects such as History, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects.
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
AAB from 3 A levels including a Humanities subject*
or
AA from two A levels including a Humanities subject* and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.
*A Humanities subject includes subjects such as History, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects.
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
D3 D3 M2 in three principal subjects including a Humanities subject*
*A Humanities subject includes subjects such as History, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects.
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
We welcome applicants with other qualifications eg. European Baccalaureate. You will be expected to attain an A level equivalent standard. The University of Southampton requires all applicants to achieve at least a Grade 4 in English and Mathematics GCSEs (taken in England) or a Grade C in both subjects (where taken in Northern Ireland or Wales). Some degree subjects stipulate specific additional GCSE minimum grades, which will be specified as part of the individual degree programme entry requirements. For more details on the suitability of your qualifications or foundation programme please contact the Faculty of Arts and Humanities Admissions Team at AdmissionsUG.AH@southampton.ac.uk
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Minimum Qualification Requirements
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | AdditionalDetails |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | with no component below 6.0 |
All programmes at the University of Southampton are taught and assessed in the medium of English (other than those in modern foreign languages). Therefore, all applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency.
Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/language.page
Unistats information
Student satisfaction : 72%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs): 60%
Go onto work and study: 85%
Fees and funding
| Republic of Ireland | 9250.0 | Year 1 |
| International | 19300.0 | Year 1 |
| EU | 19300.0 | Year 1 |
| England | 9250.0 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | 9250.0 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | 9250.0 | Year 1 |
| Wales | 9250.0 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | 9250.0 | Year 1 |
Additional Fee Information
Please see our website for further details and updates: www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/fees-funding.page
Provider information
Highfield
Address2 are not listed for this Course.
Address3 are not listed for this Course.
Southampton
SO17 1BJ
Address2 are not listed for this Course.
Address3 are not listed for this Course.
Southampton
SO17 1BJ