BA Ancient History and Archaeology

This challenging and rewarding degree course offers you the opportunity to explore the cultures, societies, and beliefs of the ancient world. You will learn about the political, social, and economic structures of ancient civilizations such as Greece, Rome, Egypt, and China, as well as the development of archaeology as a discipline. The course is structured around a series of themes, including the rise of democracy in ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, and the development of early Christianity. You will also have the opportunity to engage with original texts, artifacts, and monuments from the ancient world through hands-on training in archaeology. This course is ideal for those interested in history, archaeology, classics, and cultural studies.

Additional Information

Students on this course will have access to Birkbeck's excellent resources for ancient history and archaeology, including the Senate House Library, the British Museum, and the London Archaeological Dataline. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in excavations and fieldwork trips in the UK and abroad.

Unlocking the Secrets of the Ancient World at Birkbeck University of London

Birkbeck is a world-renowned institution for the study of ancient history and archaeology, with a strong focus on cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary approaches. The university's location in central London provides access to a wealth of cultural and historical resources, including the British Museum and the Royal Academy of Arts. Birkbeck's distinguished faculty includes leading scholars in the field, who will provide you with expert guidance and mentorship throughout your studies.

Our BA Ancient History and Archaeology allows you to combine and pursue your interests in the history and archaeology of the ancient world. We will equip you to study the Greek and Roman past through both textual and archaeological evidence, from Greek pottery to Roman inscriptions, ancient cities to classical authors. You will acquire critical and analytical skills, utilizing the full range of evidence that survives from the ancient Greek and Roman worlds. You will study a broad chronological and geographical sweep, with topics including the rise of the Greek city-states, Classical Athens, the foundations of the Roman Empire, the transformation of the Roman Empire in Late Antiquity, and the Byzantine Empire from the foundation of Constantinople to the medieval period. The study of archaeology develops the ability to understand how people lived, acted, and thought in the past. You will learn the essential analytical techniques of archaeology to develop your understanding of the relationship between theory and practice in the interpretation of material remains. Practical archaeological experience is a key element of this degree. This program is ideal if you are interested in understanding the ancient past through peoples relationships with words, texts, objects, buildings, and places. We will give you access to a wide range of textual, graphical, and material evidence and develop your ability to interpret and process that data. We will also encourage you to question accepted histories, so you can construct and present convincing historical and archaeological arguments using texts, images, and material objects and remains as evidence.

112-128 points, A-levels: BBC-ABB, C or grade 4 GCSE-level English and mathematics