The BA in Ancient and Medieval History is concerned with the European and Mediterranean worlds from the Aegean Bronze Age to the end of the Middle Ages.  It aims to develop students’ knowledge and critical understanding of the political, social, economic, and cultural structures of Greek, Roman and medieval societies, which were significantly different from modern industrialised societies, but have exercised a profound and continuing influence on the subsequent development of European societies and cultures and many others.

The degree will provide you with an opportunity to study two historical fields which are often pursued in isolation from one another, but where continuities and changes can profitably be explored. Ancient and Medieval History offers a balance between modules covering specific historical periods and thematic modules that examine broad social and cultural topics, such as warfare, politics, gender, slavery, kingship, religion, art, medicine and science.

This degree is designed to cultivate the skills of the historian, namely, the ability to assess evidence critically, to evaluate different interpretations of the evidence, to construct arguments on the basis of evidence, and to express opinions cogently in speech and in writing.

Distinctive features

The programme provides the training necessary for students who wish to study Ancient or Medieval History at postgraduate level, and a valuable range of intellectual and transferable skills for students who enter other professions.