Ancient History and Archaeology

Ancient history and archaeology together address the most fundamental questions about the human past: who lived before us, how did they organise their societies, and what material traces have they left behind? Ancient history brings literary, documentary, and historical analysis to the study of Greece, Rome, and the wider ancient Mediterranean world, drawing on a rich tradition of classical scholarship. Archaeology adds the material dimension, recovering and interpreting physical evidence from excavation and from the landscape itself, enabling us to understand lives and societies that left no written record.

At the University of Nottingham this three-year full-time programme develops your expertise in both disciplines across their full chronological and geographical range. You will engage with the political, social, economic, and cultural history of the ancient world alongside the methods and theories of archaeological investigation, from surface survey and excavation to the analysis of artefacts and scientific dating techniques. The programme also gives you the opportunity to study Latin or Classical Greek through optional modules, with the level of study tailored to your existing knowledge.

The typical entry tariff of 152 points reflects the academic standard expected of students joining the course.

You will develop rigorous research and analytical skills, the ability to engage critically with both textual and material evidence, and the capacity to construct well-reasoned arguments about past human life. These are transferable capabilities valued in research, education, heritage, and communication.

Graduates pursue careers in archaeology and cultural resource management, museums and heritage, education, journalism, publishing, and the public sector. Postgraduate study in classical studies, archaeology, ancient history, or museum studies is a common next step for those who want to specialise or pursue academic research.