Archaeology and Ancient History (BA) at University of Southampton

About

Learn about the ancient world and find ways to understand the foundations of how we live today. On BA Archaeology and Ancient History, you'll develop specialist knowledge in your chosen areas of study and learn in an engaging and supportive research environment. Your research and archiving skills will prepare you for further study, or for a variety of career options. These include heritage management and archaeological research.

Studying archaeology and ancient history will give you an insight into both subjects and you'll be able to explore the topics that interest you through optional modules.

You'll have the choice of a wide range of historical topics, from Ancient Egypt to the rise of Islam in the Middle East. You can also learn what happened during the conquests of Alexander the Great and at the end of the Roman Empire.

The complementary subject of archaeology is the study of the human past through its material remains. These include buildings, monuments, artefacts, biological remains, written sources and landscape. On this ancient history and archaeology degree you can:

learn from experts in the ancient world (including history, archaeology, ancient and modern languages and literatures, philosophy and film)
use cutting-edge technology to discover and map new sites, or develop research skills
do at least 3 weeks of field work, including excavating archaeological sites or collecting archaeological material from ploughed fields
challenge yourself by learning Latin and Ancient Greek

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Requirements

Entry Requirements

For Academic year 202526

A-levels

AAB to ABB including a Humanities subject*

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. * Related subject includes subjects such as English, History, Philosophy, Politics, Law, Criminology, Sociology, Geography, Religious Studies, Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects.

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: ABB including a Humanities subject* and grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 34 to 32 points overall with 17 to 16 points at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in a Humanities subject*

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

*A Humanities subject includes subjects such as History, English, Philosophy, Geography, Law, Religious Studies, Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects.

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Diploma plus A to B in an A level Humanities subject*. Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus A to B in an A level Humanities subject* Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AA to AB to include an A level Humanities subject*

RQF BTEC

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Additional information

The University aims to recruit students from a wide range of backgrounds who we believe have the potential and motivation to succeed on our challenging programmes. We are committed to fair admissions and strive to ensure we give equal consideration to all applicants who possess the necessary knowledge and skills. To support the BTEC we also ask for a complementary humanities subject A Level. *A Humanities subject includes subjects such as History, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects.

QCF BTEC

Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Extended Diploma plus A to B in an A level Humanities subject*. or Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Diploma plus A to B in an A level Humanities subject* or Distinction in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AA to AB to include an A level Humanities subject*

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Show more entry requirements

Access to HE Diploma

Irish Leaving Certificate

Scottish Qualification offers

Cambridge Pre-U

Welsh Baccalaureate

T Level

Access to HE Diploma

60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 39 must be at Distinction and 6 credits at Merit, to include 6 Distinctions in a Humanities subject* OR 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit, to include 6 Distinctions in a Humanities subject*

Access to HE additional information

*A Humanities subject includes subjects such as History, English, Philosophy, Geography, Law, Religious Studies, Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects.

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 to H1 H2 H2 H2 H3 H3 including a Humanities subject*

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

A2 A2 A2 B1 B1 B1 to A2 A2 B1 B1 B2 B2 including a Humanities subject* at B1

Irish certificate additional information

*A Humanities subject includes subjects such as History, English, Philosophy, Geography, Law, Religious Studies, Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects.

Scottish Qualification

Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.

Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

Cambridge Pre-U

D3 D3 M2 to D3 M2 M2 in three principal subjects including a Humanities subject*

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

*A Humanities subject includes subjects such as History, English, Philosophy, Geography, Law, Religious Studies, Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects.

Welsh Baccalaureate

AAB to ABB from 3 A levels including a Humanities subject* or AA to AB from two A levels including a Humanities subject* and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. *A Humanities subject includes subjects such as History, English, Philosophy, Geography, Law, Religious Studies, Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects.

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

T-Level

Not accepted for this course.

English Program Requirements

Find the equivalent international qualifications for our entry requirements.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

IELTS score requirements

overall score: 6.5
reading: 6.0
writing: 6.0
speaking: 6.0
listening: 6.0

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Career

Careers

You'll graduate with transferable skills including the ability to:

assess evidence and arguments
present your opinions clearly and concisely
work independently or as part of a group
manage your time and workload effectively

Our graduates have secured roles including:

academic librarian
archaeologist
archivist
heritage manager
historic buildings inspector
museum curator
secondary school teacher
civil servant

This degree is also a good foundation for further study at master's or PhD level.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

GBP 25,500

Application Fee

GBP

Archaeology and Ancient History (BA)

University of Southampton

University of Southampton

Key Facts

Start & Deadlines