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Ancient, Medieval and Modern History at Durham University - UCAS

Durham University

Degree level: Undergraduate

Ancient, Medieval and Modern History

Course options

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 degree enables you to combine modules from our Ancient History course with modules in medieval and modern History offered by the Department of History. The balance between the two departments is broadly equal, but by the third year you can weight your choice of modules more to one side than the other, depending on your interests. In your first year we will introduce you to the world of the ancient Greeks and early imperial Rome, seen from a variety of perspectives (not just historical), and to different forms of evidence. This will prepare you for a wide range of more specific historical modules about politics and society in the ancient world in your second and third years. This can also be enriched by the study of ancient literature, language and philosophy. In the Department of History, you will study modules in medieval, early modern and late modern history, with electives available in the study of cultures from around the globe. You will bring all your knowledge and skills together in your dissertation. You will be able to concentrate your studies in an area that fascinates you, and really blossom as an independent learner. Through this you will engage, at an advanced level, with creative research at the forefront of these historical disciplines. You will be encouraged to attend an extensive programme of research-related activities in both departments, including research seminars, public lectures from high-profile guest speakers, and events organised by the student-run History Society and Classics Society.

Modules

Year 1 Core modules: Monuments and Memory in the Age of Augustus gives you an introduction to Roman history and culture and Latin literature. You will investigate a central, transitional epoch in the history of ancient Rome, from an interdisciplinary perspective. Introduction to the Greek World examines ancient Greek history, society and thought, by focusing on how the classical Athenians engaged with their past. It will introduce you to the central themes, topics and terminology in the study of Archaic and Classical Greece, and equip you to use the intellectual resources available to assist that study. Examples of optional Ancient History modules: The Craft of the Ancient Historian Lives of Objects – Greek and Roman Antiquity. Examples of optional Classics modules: Early Greek Philosophy Language, Translation, Interpretation Intermediate Latin or Greek. Examples of core Medieval History modules: Decline and Crisis? Europe, 1300-1500 Transformations in the Late Antique Mediterranean, c.300-c.700 CE. Examples of core Early Modern History modules: Connected Histories: Early Modern Europe, c. 1450-1750 The Atlantic Archipelago, c.1500-c.1750. Examples of optional History modules: Modern Times: A Cultural History of Europe, c. 1860-1960 Power in Africa Imagining East Asia in the Modern World Wars and Welfare, c. 1900-1945 The Rise and Fall of American Slavery, 1607 – 1865. Year 2 Examples of core Ancient History modules: Ancient Political Thought and Action Emperors and Dynasties Living in the Classical World The City of Athens Crisis of the Roman Republic Examples of optional Classics modules: Traditions of Epic Interpreting Greek Tragedy Today Alexandria Classical Receptions and Contemporary Cultures Dialogues with Antiquity Beginners, Intermediate, or Advanced Greek and/or Latin language. Examples of History modules: The Court: Art and Power in Early Modern Europe Hard Times: British Society, 1815-1902 International Human Rights since 1945 Wildlife Conservation in African History Socialising the Household in Late Medieval Cities Food and Culinary History of Southern Africa, the Past and Present Black British History Native Americans and Minority Rights in the US, 1914-2000 Rive, Race, Religion, and Revolt in Colonial Myanmar Early Modern Hospitality in Global Comparative Perspective Gender and Sexuality during Britain’s Long Twentieth Century. Year 3 Core modules: Dissertation. The dissertation is a significant piece of work in which you research and analyse an area of Classics or History in depth and write up your findings and conclusions. Examples of core Ancient History modules: Greeks and Persians, c. 560-336 BC The Later Roman Empire The History of Writing in the Ancient Mediterranean. Examples of optional Classics modules: Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced Greek and/or Latin language modules Roman Law and Latin Literature The Origins of Civilisation Comedy and Tragedy, Laughter and Sorrow Lives and Afterlives of The Greek and Roman Poets Sing Me, O Muse. Examples of single modules in History: Interpreting Conflict in Post-Colonial Africa Revolution and History Liberty, Equality, Democracy: Progressive Thought in Nineteenth-Century Britain History and Its Audiences Empires and States in Early Modern Asia: Nomads, Slaves, Scholars, Rulers Health, Wealth and Happiness: Investigating Standards of Living and Wellbeing in the Past Beyond Feudalism Fascism/Anti-Fascism. Examples of triple modules in History: 1688: Monarchy and Revolution in Britain Engineering Armageddon: Visions of Scientific Apocalypse Voice and Silence in South Africa’s Liberation Struggle From War to Cold War: US Foreign Policy, c.1944–1948 Beyond the Holocaust: Poles, Jews, Turks and Germans from the Nineteenth Century to the present The American Civil War and Reconstruction, 1850–1876 A World Turned Upside Down: Radicalism and the English Revolution Sexual Revolutions: The Politics of Gender and Sexuality in Britain and Beyond, 1920s–1970s.

Assessment method

We use various types of assessment, designed to test the different skills you have gained through your studies: essays, commentaries, translations and (in some modules) presentations or projects. In your final year, you will write a dissertation on a subject of your choice, giving you the opportunity to demonstrate your skills in independent learning and research and your ability to tie together areas of learning from across the entire course.

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:
V101
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

We welcome enquiries regarding applications for deferred entry which may be considered in special circumstances. Please contact us using www.durham.ac.uk/study/askus/ Our contextual offer for this programme is A level AAB (or equivalent) including at least a B in History. 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 £25500 Year 1
England £9250 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 Year 1
Scotland £9250 Year 1
Wales £9250 Year 1
International £25500 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, Medieval and Modern History at Durham University - UCAS