Ancient History

The Bristol Classics and Ancient History Department is one of the highest-ranking and largest in the country, allowing us to cover a broad chronological range, from the archaeology of Bronze Age Greece to the religions of the later Roman Empire. We are also internationally renowned for our research on the reception of Greek and Roman history by more recent artists, intellectuals and civilizations, so you can be assured of high-quality teaching.

Ancient History courses

BA Ancient History (V110)

Why study Ancient History at Bristol?

Our course is designed to provide you with a broad knowledge of the politics, economy and societies of the ancient Greeks and Romans. It aims to equip you with the skills necessary to locate, decipher and evaluate a range of historical sources as well as with a sophisticated understanding of historical theory. Our degree gives you the flexibility to combine core units on Greco-Roman culture with more specialised topics such as Ecology and History in the Ancient World, units on the reception of Greece and Rome or study of ancient languages.

Teaching methods include lectures, small-group seminars, personal consultations, and a guided research project. These will allow you to develop valuable skills in formal and informal writing, impromptu discussion and oral presentation, as well as provide you with a basis for thinking about the economy, politics, and culture of other periods and of modernity.

What kind of student would this course suit?

This course suits students who enjoy independent study and the challenge of dealing with a wide variety of materials and evidence, from texts to archaeological finds.

How is this course taught and assessed?

The course is taught through a wide variety of teaching methods, such as lectures, small-group tutorials, student-led seminars, one-to-one meetings with tutors, and practical classes. Types of assessment are equally varied, and include traditional essays, book-reviews, short class tests, oral presentations, team-work, and formal exams.

What are my career prospects?

The skills in critical thinking, persuasive writing and clear self-expression provided by the interdisciplinary study of Ancient History are transferable to a wide range of careers. Graduates have found positions in research, administration, media, museums, art galleries, heritage management, the Civil Service, law, accountancy, computing, commerce and industry, as well as in teaching. A significant number of our graduates go on to further study either in Ancient History or in other subjects.

How do teaching staff support your studies?

My professors are experts in their field, and the department has an excellent reputation. Bristol pushes its students, but still has excellent pastoral care, and the teaching support is fantastic.

Sarah MacGregor
BA Ancient History