History (Ancient and Modern) BA

The Ancient and Modern History program is structured to offer an unparalleled breadth of choice, with more than 90 specialized options available. The program profile leverages the combined expertise of the world-famous Classics and History Faculties. Students gain the competency to compare diverse societies across vast timelines, investigating how the foundations of late antiquity and the early modern period continue to influence contemporary British and European history.

A core pillar of the curriculum is the flexibility regarding linguistic training; students are not required to have prior qualifications in Latin or Greek but have the opportunity to learn either from scratch. This allows researchers to engage directly with primary ancient texts while also mastering the methodologies of modern historical inquiry. The course is constantly enriched by the research interests of the faculty, ensuring that students are taught by leading experts who bring the latest discoveries and interpretations into the classroom.

Throughout the program, students develop a sophisticated analytical toolkit, learning to synthesize archaeological evidence with written records and modern political theory. The curriculum emphasizes fruitful comparisons between seemingly disparate cultures, fostering a deep understanding of how global connectivity has shifted over thousands of years. Graduates emerge as versatile historians with a unique ability to contextualize current world events within the long-term patterns of human history, becoming experts in the complex evolution of global power and culture.