Ancient History
Ancient history is the study of the Greeks and Romans, the societies and cultures they built across more than a thousand years of history, and the complex and enduring legacies they have left on the world we live in. The Graeco-Roman world produced foundational works of philosophy, literature, art, and architecture, developed concepts of democracy, law, citizenship, and empire that continue to shape political thought, and created patterns of cultural and intellectual exchange whose effects are still visible in the modern West and far beyond it. Studying ancient history means engaging with these societies seriously and critically, understanding both their achievements and their profound inequalities, and asking why they continue to matter.
At Swansea University, this three-year full-time programme develops your knowledge of Greek and Roman history, culture, society, and thought across a range of periods and topics, from the archaic period and the classical polis through the Roman Republic and Empire to late antiquity and the transitions to the medieval world. You will work directly with ancient sources, including literary texts, inscriptions, coins, images, and material remains, developing the critical and analytical skills that ancient history demands. You will engage with the historical debates that animate the field, learning to construct well-evidenced arguments about the past and to situate ancient evidence in its cultural and political context.
With a typical entry tariff of 104 UCAS points, this degree is accessible to students who combine intellectual curiosity with a commitment to rigorous study. Graduates pursue careers in education, heritage and museums, publishing, law, journalism, the civil service, and a wide range of analytical and communication-intensive roles. The critical thinking, research, and writing skills the degree develops are valued across many professions.
Many graduates also continue to postgraduate study in ancient history, classics, archaeology, or related disciplines.