Ancient and Medieval History

The BA in Ancient and Medieval History at the University of Birmingham offers students a comprehensive exploration of the development of human civilization from its earliest origins through to the late medieval period. This programme is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the political, social, cultural, and economic aspects of ancient and medieval societies across different regions, including Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and beyond. Through a combination of core modules and specialized options, students will engage with primary sources, archaeological findings, and contemporary scholarship to critically analyze historical events, movements, and figures that have shaped the modern world.

The course encourages the development of essential skills in historical research, analysis, and critical thinking, enabling students to interpret complex historical data and present well-argued arguments in written and oral formats. Students will have opportunities for independent research, participating in seminars, and engaging with interdisciplinary approaches that incorporate archaeology, literature, and digital humanities. The programme also offers the chance to undertake work placements or study abroad, enhancing practical skills and cultural awareness.

Throughout the programme, students will study a broad chronological span from the rise of ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece, and Rome, through to the turbulent centuries of the early Middle Ages, and the cultural achievements of the high and late medieval periods. They will examine a variety of themes including political institutions, warfare, religion, philosophy, art, and societal transformation.

The academic staff are experts in their fields, providing students with mentorship and guidance to help them achieve their academic and career goals. Graduates of the programme are well-prepared for careers in academia, education, museums, cultural heritage organizations, publishing, and media. Additionally, the programme offers a strong foundation for further postgraduate study in history, archaeology, or related disciplines. Overall, the BA in Ancient and Medieval History is an ideal choice for students passionate about understanding the origins and development of human civilizations and eager to develop their analytical and research skills within a vibrant academic community.

Detailed Course Facts

• English

Course Content

irst year

The first year represents a foundation year in which core skills and knowledge for historical enquiry. While those two things can never be separated, the emphasis is on skills in the modules Practising History A: Skills in History and Practising History B: Approaches to History (10+10 credits) and the Ancient History Project A (Autumn) and B (Spring) (10 + 10 credits). Each of these four modules centres on a different topic, two per semester, and helps develop your skills for university-level history. Broader survey modules help you to familiarise yourself with ancient and medieval history. Discovering the Middle Ages and Living in the Middla Ages (20 + 20 credits) explore fundamental themes and issues focused on the key periods concerned and indicate the kinds of questions historians explore and some of the methods they employ in answering them. Introduction to Greek and Roman History (20 credits) alongside another Classic and an Ancient History introductory survey module of your choice (for instance Early Civilisations: Egypt and Ancient Western Asia or Byzantium/Barbarians and the Transformation of the Roman World, also 20 credits), do the same on the ancient side of your degree. As you would expect the first year serves as a springboard for your studies in second year.

Second year

In the second year the emphasis on small group teaching and independent learning increases. Two core modules help to develop you as a historian of the ancient and medieval worlds. Ancient and Medieval History in Theory and Practice (20 credits) addresses questions to do with the nature of history and historical knowledge, particularly as they relate to the ancient and medieval worlds. Research Methods (Dissertation Preparation) gives you first-hand experience of the work of a historian as you learn to identify and frame a valid, intellectually coherent research question which, in year 3, will form your dissertation project (which can be on an ancient or medieval topic). Both of these modules run across both semesters. You also take two medieval history options, one in autumn, one in spring (Medieval Option A, Medieval Option B, 20 credits each). You then choose two 20-credit modules from the wide range on offer for year 2 students within Classics and Ancient History.

Third year

In the final year, your degree is split into three parts: your dissertation (40 credits), medieval modules (40 credits) and ancient modules (40 credits). Your 12,000 word Dissertation is your individual research project, using primary sources to answer a historical question which you have developed since year 2 and which is supervised by an appropriate specialist. The remainder of your degree is made up of modules you choose. On the medieval side you get the choice of either two Advanced options (one in autumn, one in spring, both 20 credits) or a medieval history Special Subject (40 credits). On the ancient side, as second year, you choose two final year 20-credit modules from the wide range on offer in Classics and Ancient History.

English Language Requirements

CAE score : 80(Grade A)

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

Number of A levels required: 3

Typical offer: ABB

International Baccalaureate: 34 points

Additional information:

Other qualifications are considered

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Birmingham.

The University of Birmingham offers a comprehensive and intellectually stimulating programme in Ancient and Medieval History, designed to provide students with a deep understanding of historical developments from antiquity through the medieval period. This programme emphasizes the study of key civilizations, events, cultures, and figures that have shaped the course of Western history and beyond. Students will explore Ancient Greece and Rome, early civilizations in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Persia, as well as medieval Europe, Byzantium, and the Islamic world. The curriculum combines lectures, seminars, and independent research, encouraging critical analysis and interpretation of historical sources. Students have the opportunity to engage with a diverse range of topics, including political institutions, social structures, cultural practices, and economic systems of ancient and medieval societies. The programme is designed to develop strong research skills and an ability to contextualize historical phenomena within broader cultural and chronological frameworks. It also aims to enhance skills in written and oral communication, critical thinking, and data analysis. Practical modules may include participation in archaeological visits, museum visits, and access to extensive digital archives. The programme prepares graduates for careers in education, research, heritage management, journalism, and public history, among other fields. The University of Birmingham provides a robust academic environment supported by experienced faculty members and excellent research resources. Combining historical depth with analytical rigor, the programme ensures students gain a nuanced understanding of the ancient and medieval worlds, preparing them for postgraduate studies or diverse professional pursuits in the humanities and beyond.