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.
If you are fascinated by the ancient civilisations of Greece and Rome and keen to develop transferable skills such as critical analysis then this course is for you.
Taught by a variety of internationally recognised experts, Ancient History offers the opportunity to study the history of Greece and Rome in the Classical period (600 BCE to 700 CE). Over three years 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.
You will build skills and knowledge from day one. In year two, the experience of historical periods will be deepened and widened and you will develop skills in research and concentrate on your individual interests, which will culminate in specialist studies and individual research projects in year three. As you build knowledge and understanding of a formative and fascinating period of world history, you will have the opportunity to study in other areas of the curriculum, notably: archaeology, literature, philosophy and language.
There is also the possibility of spending a year abroad, experiencing the profound effect these classical cultures have had on history, culture and politics.
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.
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. Find out more
Explore key themes and problems such as the rise, decline and fall of Empires.
Opportunities to study archaeology, literature, philosophy and language.
Develop your research and reasoning skills.
Choose to specialise in Greek or Roman history, or both.
Assessment by written exams and coursework.
More Info: Click here
Core Modules
Year 1
Greek History and the City State
Key Themes in Roman History
Studying Classical Antiquity
Year 2
The Rise and Fall of the Roman Republic
Rome and its Empire from Augustus to Commodus
Greek History to 404 BC
Greek History from 403 to 322
Greek Historiography
Historiography of the Roman World
Year 3
Extended Essay (Dissertation)
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
Beginner’s Greek
Intermediate Greek
Greek Language and Reading
Beginner's Latin
Intermediate Latin
Latin Language and Reading
Introduction to Greek Literature
Roman Literature of the Republic
Roman Literature of the Empiretype
Introduction to Ancient Philosophy
Individual and Community
Introduction to Greek Archaeology
Introduction to Roman Archaeology
Year 2
Intensive Greek
Aspects of Modern Greek Language and Culture
Hellenistic Epic: Apollonius of Rhodes
Imperial Greek Poetry: Epic & Epigram
Homer (in Greek)
The Tragedy of Euripides
Greek Dramatic Texts II (Comedy)
Herodotus
Plato (in Greek)
Imperial Greek Literature
Greek Historiography (in Greek)
Greek Erotic Poetry in Greek
Horace
Lucretius and Virgil
Latin Love Elegy
Roman Satire
Latin Epic
Latin Historiography
Catullus and Horace
Latin Letters
Homer (In Translation)
Greek Drama (In Translation)
Cinema and Classics
Ovid’s Metamorphoses: Art and Power in Augustan Rome
Virgil’s Aeneid : the Empire in the Literary Imagination
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
Body and Soul in Ancient Philosophy
The Good Life in Ancient Philosophy
The Built Environment in Classical Antiquity
Greek and Roman Art in Context
Understanding Pompeii and Herculaneum
Perspectives on Roman Britai
Second Year Project
Year 3
Further Aspects of Modern Greek Language and Culture
Cinema and Classics
Roman Oratory
Ancient Literary Criticism
Roman Drama (In Translation)
Greek Lyric, Eros and Social Order
Nature and the Supernatural in Latin Literature
Greek Literature under the Roman Empire
Studying Ancient Myth
Culture and Identity from Nero to Hadrian
The Roman Novel
Gender in Classical Antiquity
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
Body and Soul in Ancient Philosophy
The Good Life in Ancient Philosophy II
Understanding Pompeii and Herculaneum
Perspectives on Roman Britai
City of Rome
City of Athens
The Archaeology of the Roman Near East
Our degree courses not only promote academic achievement but also the means to hone the life-skills necessary to excel, post-graduation.
Studying Ancient History 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.
Insurance – Single: 300 GBP per year
