Ancient and Medieval History BA (Hons)

University of Birmingham

To understand fully the modern world - its culture, language, political systems and people – you need to take a long perspective. Studying undergraduate Ancient and Medieval History goes back to the roots of modern civilisation in Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome and the Middle Ages.

Our degree course has a distinctive emphasis on using literature, history and archaeology in the study of the ancient world, and we offer a range of expertise. The chronological sweep is wide, from around 3000BC to 1500AD and you can study Europe, the Mediterranean and Asian civilisations. One aspect of study is social history: how people in the past lived, worked, traded and enjoyed their leisure. Studying such a diverse range of societies and cultures enables you to analyse and reflect on the complex relationship between the Ancient and Medieval worlds.

The first year of your degree course represents a foundation year in which we instil core skills and knowledge for historical enquiry. In the second year, the emphasis on small group teaching and independent learning increases and you develop as an historian of the ancient and medieval worlds. In the final year you study medieval and ancient modules, along with a Dissertation, using primary sources to answer a historical question which you have developed since your second year.

Why study this course?

Impressive employability - 90% of our graduates in work or doing further study 15 months after the course (Discover Uni stats 2023). Our graduates enter a wide range of professions, including accountancy, charity work, housing, law, publishing, politics and teaching. Outstanding student experience - At Birmingham we believe that teaching hours should be complemented by a wide-range of academic opportunities and social occasions. Join our community and you'll have access to, among many other things, a student experience team who co-ordinate performances, talks, trips, podcasts, quizzes and celebrations and bespoke academic writing advice.
Broad portfolio - We are very conscious that a true appreciation of the ancient and medieval world requires as varied an approach as possible. At the beginning of your degree course you will study broad time periods and issues but you will get to focus on particular topics of your choosing all the way through. Resources - We have excellent library facilities with the University Library situated by the History Department and we have the Hilton and Styles libraries in the Arts Building. The Cadbury Research Library is home to the University of Birmingham’s historic collections of rare books, manuscripts, archives, photographs and associated artefacts.

The collections which have been built up over a period of 120 years consist of over 200,000 rare printed books including significant incunabula, as well as over 4 million unique archive and manuscript collections.

9th for undergraduate History in the Complete University Guide 2023

8th for History in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework exercise based on Grade Point Average

Top 100 for History in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2022