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History
Ancient and Medieval History BA
Ancient and Medieval History BA

Ancient and Medieval History BA

  • ID:RHU440004
  • Level:3-Year Bachelor's Degree
  • Duration:
  • Intake:

Fees (GBP)

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Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements

​English Requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 7.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5.

  • Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 69. No other subscore lower than 51.

  • Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.

  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.

Course Information

Drawing on expertise from our Classics and History departments, Ancient and Medieval History offers the opportunity to study the history of Greece and Rome in the Classical period (600 BCE - 700CE) and how that world developed into the Medieval period (c. 600 CE - 1400 CE). The course brings together the two key periods of pre-modern history, offering students the opportunity to compare and contrast pre-modern social and political systems and to develop the knowledge, theories and methodologies necessary for the study of these periods of history.

Taught by a variety of internationally recognised experts, Ancient History allows you will delve into the politics, events and developments underpinning our understanding of many aspects of historical societies and, indeed, our own culture. You will explore themes, key periods and problems in Greek and Roman history, such as the emergence (and fall) of democracy and the rise, decline and fall of Empires.

As a student of Ancient History you will be part of our Classics Department, where the quality of research that informs our teaching and a friendly, individual approach which shapes the way we guide our students combine to create an unbeaten academic experience. A thriving Classics Society contributes to the friendly and sociable atmosphere of the Classics department.

Studying Medieval History within the Department of History is exciting and rewarding; it encourages you to appreciate the human experience in other places and at other times, in a world whose consequences are with us still, be it through the development of international relations, the formation of geopolitical regions (Christendom/ the Islamic world), or the development of town life.

Our internationally renowned academics are developing the very latest thinking on historical problems; this cutting edge knowledge informs the curriculum and will enhance your learning experience. By studying History at one of the largest and most influential departments in the country you will be able to choose from an exceptionally broad range of subjects.

Our flexible degree programmes enable you to apply to take a Placement Year, which can be spent studying abroad, working or carrying out voluntary work. You can even do all three if you want to (minimum of three months each)! To recognise the importance of this additional skills development and university experience, your Placement Year will be formally recognised on your degree certificate and will contribute to your overall result. Please note conditions may apply if your degree already includes an integrated year out, please contact the Careers & Employability Service for more information.

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Core Modules

Year 1

  •  History in the Making

  •  Greek History and the City State

  •  Key Themes in Roman History

Year 2

  •  Independent Essay

Year 3

  • All modules are optional

Optional Modules

There are a number of optional course modules available during your degree studies. The following is a selection of optional course modules that are likely to be available. Please note that although the College will keep changes to a minimum, new modules may be offered or existing modules may be withdrawn, for example, in response to a change in staff. Applicants will be informed if any significant changes need to be made.

Year 1

  •  Introduction to Greek Literature

  •  Roman Literature of the Republic

  •  Roman Literature of the Empire

  •  Introduction to Ancient Philosophy

  •  Individual and Community

  •  Greek History and the City State

  •  Key Themes in Roman History

  •  Studying Classical Antiquity

  •  Introduction to Greek Archaeology

  •  Introduction to Roman Archaeology

  •  Republics, Kings and People: The Foundations of European Political Thought from Plato to Rousseau

  •  The Age of Discovery: Expansion, Invention and Globalisation in the Early Modern World

  •  Rome to Renaissance: An Introduction to the Middle Ages

Year 2

  • Greek History to 404 BC

  • Greek History from 403 to 322

  • Greek Historiography

  • Historiography of the Roman World

  • Gender in Classical Antiquity

  • Greek Law and Lawcourts

  • Greek History to 322 BC

  • Augustus: Propaganda and Power

  • The Roman Republic: A Social and Economic History

  • The Rise of the Roman Empire: An Economic and Social history

  •  The Later Roman Empire

  •  Byzantium and its Neighbours, 641-1081

  •  London Urban Society, 1400-1600

  •  The Crusades and the Eastern Mediterranean, 1095-1291

  • Medicine and Society in Medieval Europe

  •  The Rise and Fall of the Roman Republic

  •  Rome and its Empire from Augustus to Commodus

  • The Pursuit of Power: Europe 1000-1250

  •  Politics, Pestilence and War in Late Medieval Europe, 1300 to 1500

  •  The Silk Road I: Genghis Khan and the Mongol Legacy in Western Asia (1200-1500)

  •  Everyday Life in the Italian Renaissance

  •  Religion, Culture and Society in Europe, 1000-1250

  •  The Sacred and Profane: Cultural Life in Renaissance Europe

  •  The Silk Road II: The Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires (1500-1700)

Year 3

  • Extended Essay (Dissertation)

  • Greek Law and Lawcourts

  • Augustus

  • The Roman Republic: A Social and Economic History

  • The Rise of the Roman Empire: An Economic and Social history

  • Alexander the Great

  • The City from Augustus to Charlemagne: The Rise and Fall of Civilisation

  •  Christians and Pagans from Constantine to Augustine, AD 306 to 430

  •  Heresy, Crusade and Inquisition in Southern France, c.1140 to c.1300

  •  Faith and Fire: Religious Culture in England, c.1375 to 1525

  •  The Causes and Consequences of the Fall of Constantinople (1453)

  • Genghis Khan and His Empire, 1150-1300

  •  Further Latin for Historians

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Pre Courses

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Pathway Courses

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Career Opportunity

Career Opportunity

Our degree courses not only promote academic achievement but also the means to hone the life-skills necessary to excel, post-graduation.

Studying History both Ancient and Medieval requires research, assessment, reasoning, organization and self-management often on your own or as part of a team.  So, by choosing to study this intellectually demanding discipline you will develop a broad range of skills which are highly prized by employers, including:

  • the ability to communicate views and present arguments clearly and coherently

  • the ability to critically digest, analyse and summarise content

  • time management and the discipline to meet deadlines

  • organisation and research skills

  • problem-solving skills and capability

Being able to understand and process complex issues, to critically evaluate resources and construct coherent arguments both verbally and in writing is why many Royal Holloway classicists become employed in law, marketing, publishing, the media, government and finance. Employers like Channel 4, multinational law firm SJ Berwin, The Guildhall (City of London), accountancy firm KPMG, the Natural History Museum, Customs and Immigration, London Advertising, Broadstone Pensions and Investments and the Armed Forces have all recently recruited Royal Holloway alumni from the Department of Classics.

Ability to settle

Overseas Student Health Cover

Insurance – Single: 300 GBP per year

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