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Ancient History and Archaeology at Durham University - UCAS

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2024 - 20252025 - 2026
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Durham University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Course summary

This Joint Honours degree enables you to combine Ancient History modules from the Department of Classics and Ancient History with those offered by the Department of Archaeology. The balance is broadly equal, but as you progress through your course you will have several opportunities to follow your particular interests in one or both areas. Your dissertation provides a further opportunity to concentrate your studies in an area that captures your imagination. In Year 1 you will be introduced to the world of the ancient Greeks and early Imperial Rome, seen from a variety of perspectives (not just historical) and through different forms of evidence. This will prepare you for a wide range of more specifically historical modules about politics and society in the ancient world. Studying on this course will give you a wider perspective on these related subject areas, allowing you to fully explore the connections between archaeological discovery and historical context. The course offers an optional study abroad element, where you may spend the third year of a four-year course studying at a European university. You can also put your learning into practice by applying to add a placement year to your degree.

Modules

Year 1 Core modules: Monuments and Memory in the Age of Augustus provides an introduction to, and a basis for further study of, Roman history and culture and Latin literature. It investigates a central, transitional epoch in the history of ancient Rome from an interdisciplinary perspective. Introduction to the Greek World introduces ancient Greek history, society, and thought, by focusing on how classical Athenians engaged with their past. It explores the central themes, topics and terminology in the study of Archaic and Classical Greece. Archaeology in Britain gives you a wide-ranging introduction to how archaeologists work, how sites are found and excavated, how archaeological information is generated, theorised and interpreted, and the issues facing archaeology today. It will give you the study skills needed for library work, essays, tutorials and computing. The module also gives a brief overview of British archaeology by period, from the Neolithic to the present day. Cities in Antiquity gives you a broad overview of the archaeology of the Greco-Roman world from 800 BC to AD 400. It also gives you the opportunity to develop your knowledge and to practice your evaluative skills through essay writing and a written examination. Examples of optional modules: Intermediate Latin/Greek Early Greek Philosophy Language, Translation, Interpretation The Craft of the Ancient Historian Lives of Objects – Greek and Roman Antiquity Ancient Civilisations: Sources, Approaches and Methods Discovering World Prehistory Ancient Civilisations of the East Medieval to Modern: An Introduction to the Archaeology of the Medieval to Post Medieval World Year 2 Examples of optional modules: Ancient Political Thought and Action Emperors and Dynasties Living in the Classical World The City of Athens Beginners’, Intermediate or Advanced Latin/Greek Interpreting Greek Tragedy Today Classical Receptions and Contemporary Cultures Dialogues with Antiquity Prehistoric Europe: From Foragers to State Formation Becoming Roman: From Iron Age to Empire in Italy and the West. Year 3 (Year 4 if undertaking a placement or year abroad) In your final year, you will design and carry out your own Dissertation which will develop your skills of independent research and project management by pursuing a substantial research project in a topic of your choice. Examples of optional modules: Greeks and Persians (c. 560-336 BC) The Later Roman Empire The History of Writing in the Ancient Mediterranean Intermediate, Advanced or Higher Latin/Greek The Origins of Civilisation Comedy and Tragedy, Laughter and Sorrow Lives and Afterlives of The Greek and Roman Poets Specialised Aspects of Archaeology Museum Representation Current Archaeology Interpreting Heritage Archaeology and Global Sustainable Development. Fieldwork Fieldwork is not compulsory for Joint Honours, but you are encouraged to attend three weeks at our field school in Year 1, and three weeks at an excavation of your choice in Year 2.

Assessment method

On this course you will be assessed through your coursework, traditional skills and presentations, as well as through hands-on practical exercises, including archaeological fieldwork. In the final year you will write a dissertation, led by independent research and supported by one-on-one supervision, and this makes up one-third of your final-year marks.

How to apply

This course has limited vacancies, and is no longer accepting applications from some students. See the list below for where you normally live, to check if you’re eligible to apply.

EU

Wales

England

International

Scotland

Northern Ireland

Republic of Ireland

31Jan

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:
VF14
Institution code:
D86
Campus name:
Durham City
Campus code:
O

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Our contextual offer for this programme is A level BBC (or equivalent). To find out if you’re eligible, please visit: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/how-to-apply/what-happens-to-your-application/contextual-offers/

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/apply/entry/

English language requirements

Durham University welcomes applications from all students irrespective of background. We encourage the recruitment of academically well-qualified and highly motivated students, who are non-native speakers of English, whose full potential can be realised with a limited amount of English Language training either prior to entry or through pre-sessional and/or in-sessional courses. It is the normal expectation that candidates for admission should be able to demonstrate satisfactory English proficiency before the start of a programme of study, whether via the submission of an appropriate English language qualification or by attendance on an appropriate pre-sessional course. Acceptable evidence and levels required can be viewed by following the link provided.

English language requirements

https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
45%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
85%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Republic of Ireland £9250 Year 1
Channel Islands £9250 Year 1
EU £25750 Year 1
England £9250 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 Year 1
Scotland £9250 Year 1
Wales £9250 Year 1
International £25750 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

There may also be additional course costs for things like books (if you want to purchase them), field trips etc.
Ancient History and Archaeology at Durham University - UCAS