Ancient History and Archaeology
- BA (Hons)
- 3 Years
- Full-time
- 29 September 2025
- Undergraduate
- Main Site
Course summary
Uncover the ancient world by combining both historical and archaeological approaches to studying the past. Our Archaeology and Ancient History undergraduate degree programme combines the best of both disciplines into one exciting programme.
You will have the opportunity to study the ancient civilisations of Egypt, Greece and Rome, and prehistoric societies in the Mediterranean, Europe and Britain. We place a distinctive emphasis on the combination of archaeological and historical approaches in the study of the ancient world, including modules in field archaeology, material culture studies and historical interpretation, with exciting opportunities for specialisation in Archaeology, Ancient History, or both disciplines. In addition to compulsory modules, this course offers flexibility to tailor your own undergraduate degree from the variety of optional modules available.
Our degree offers you an exciting opportunity to undertake field work, where you will gain core practical skills and first-hand knowledge of archaeological fieldwork methodology. In your second year, you will be financially supported by the department for your Study Tour – an opportunity to travel abroad with your fellow students and academics on a guided tour of archaeological sites and monuments relevant to your studies.
Why study this course?
Study tour – Our unique two-week Study Tour gives you the opportunity to undertake travel to countries such as Italy and Greece to visit sites, monuments and museums of interest.
A wide range of learning resources - Including environmental and material culture teaching collections and our on-campus Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology Museum, where teaching takes place.
Marketable skills that are highly sought-after by employers - Pursue your career goals with one of our bespoke internships, offered exclusively to University of Birmingham students. Past placements have included the National Trust, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and West Midlands Transport.
Field work opportunities – There are many opportunities to take part in field work and develop your practical archaeology experience. Recent undergraduate digs include a middle-saxon site in nearby Shropshire and a long-term project to uncover an imperial palace in Carnuntum, Austria.
Top 15 for Classics and Ancient History in the The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023
16th for Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology in the Guardian University Guide 2024
Top 10 for Archaeology in the Complete University Guide 2025
Modules
First-year modules cover a broad base of the subject and are designed to introduce you to ways of studying at university. By the final year the modules you take will become more specialised and reflect the research expertise of the academic staff. More detailed module information can be found on the ‘Course detail’ tab on the University of Birmingham’s coursefinder web pages.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years
Start dates
- 29 September 2025
Apply by
29 January
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Application codes
- Course code:
- VVC4
- Institution code:
- B32
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
University of Birmingham has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
Apply by
29 January
Application codes
- Course code:
- VVC4
- Institution code:
- B32
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
UCAS Tariff Not accepted
A level ABB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) DDD
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 32 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
Contextual admissions
The most common grades on entry for this course are above our standard offer. This does not mean that you need to achieve higher grades than our offer to be admitted.
We make alternative offers through our contextual admissions schemes which are typically 1 or 2 grades lower. You can find information on these schemes using the link below.
You can check your eligibility to receive an offer for this course using our Offer Calculator using the same link.
Historical entry grades data
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Per year tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|
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
For details of the annual tuition fee for International Students please see the course web page listed in the 'course details' section above.
If you are made an offer to study by the University, the yearly tuition fee will be stated in your offer letter.
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