Ancient World BA
London, Bloomsbury
Ancient World BA (2024)
Students on this flexible three-year programme may choose from a vast range of modules covering ancient history, literature, languages and archaeology. It offers great flexibility in the possible combination of modules and provides an entry to the classics for those who have not studied Greek or Latin at school.
Study mode
Duration
UK tuition fees (2023/24)
Overseas tuition fees (2023/24)
Programme starts
September 2023Application deadline
25 Jan 2023UCAS course code
Entry requirements
- Grades
- AAB
- Subjects
- No specific subjects. At least two A level subjects should be taken from UCL's list of preferred A level subjects.
- GCSEs
- English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 5.
Contextual offer information
- Grades
- BBB more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- No specific subjects. At least two A level subjects should be taken from UCL's list of preferred A level subjects.
- GCSEs
- English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 5.
- Points
- 36
- Subjects
- A total of 17 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5.
Contextual offer
- Points
- 32 more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- A total of 15 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5.
UK applicants qualifications
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
Equivalent qualification
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Pass in Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 30 credits at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit, all from Level 3 units.
Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades AAB.
A,A,B at Advanced Highers (or A,A at Advanced Higher and B,B,B at Higher)
D3,D3,M1 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
International applications
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
Access and widening participation
UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates
The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.
Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.
For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.
English language requirements
The English language level for this programme is: Level 3
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Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.
A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
Course overview
This flexible programme offers an almost entirely free choice of modules covering classical literature, history and archaeology, and does not require prior knowledge of Greek or Latin.
In the first year, all students must take at least 30 credits of either Latin or Greek – they continue with this same language in the next year to complete the 45 credit requirement. Students must also take one history module, one archaeology module, and one compulsory module on the ancient world in their first year.
In the third year, students take an Extended Essay module.
What this course will give you
UCL is ranked in the top six universities in the UK for Classics by the Guardian University Guide 2022.
You will have access to an unparalleled range of course options, from Roman Love Poetry to Greek Palaeography, from Ancient Greek Religion to Roman Epic.
UCL has excellent library facilities, and is ideally situated close to world-renowned resources such as the British Museum, the British Library, and the Institute of Classical Studies.
The lively student-run Classical Society organises an annual Classical play (a Greek or Latin drama in translation) shown at the nearby Bloomsbury Theatre, as well as other events.
Teaching and learning
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded a BA (Hons) in Ancient World.
Modules
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.
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This flexible programme offers an almost entirely free choice of modules covering classical literature, history and archaeology, and does not require prior knowledge of Greek or Latin. In the first year, at least one quarter of your studies must focus on either Latin or Greek – you continue with this same language in the next year. You must take one history module and one archaeology module in your first year and there is also a compulsory module on the ancient world. In the third year, you must take an Extended Essay module.
Optional modules
Optional modules
Optional modules
Your learning
You will be taught through lectures, seminars and small-group work. Some sessions involve direct study of artefacts, including access to the collections of the British Museum.
33% of a student’s time is spent in lectures and seminars and the remainder in independent study.
Assessment
Most modules combine both continuous assessment and end-of-year written examinations, although a few modules are assessed solely by one or other of these methods.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.
The foundation of your career
The Ancient World BA is a rigorous and broad-ranging degree which qualifies you for a remarkably wide variety of jobs. The Classical Society hosts regular talks from former students, which may help guide you in your future career choices.
Career destinations in recent years have included: graduate study, teaching, law, computing, accountancy, marketing, banking, music (classical and popular), acting, the media, business, the voluntary sector, local government and politics.
Employability
Knowledge of languages such as Latin and Greek allows you to develop mental agility and versatility, equipping you with the ability (amongst other things) to learn modern languages with comparative ease, opening up a wider range of possibilities in the future.
Fees and funding
Fees for this course
| Fee description | Full-time |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees (2023/24) | £9,250 |
| Tuition fees (2023/24) | £26,200 |
The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2023/24 academic year. The UK fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2023/24 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.
Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate/funding-your-studies.
Additional costs
There may be site visits within central London, incurring costs. Some modules may require the purchase of specific books. Module descriptions and recommended texts are outlined each year on the Greek and Latin website, normally from February of the preceding academic year.
A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).
Funding your studies
Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.
Scholarships
The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.
Next steps
How to apply
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
Selection
For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.
Each application is carefully assessed. Offer-holders will be invited to an open day, which will include a lunch with staff and current students where you can discuss the degree programme and studying at UCL, living in London, and take a tour of the campus.
Got questions? Get in touch
UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.