Please note the course details apply to 2025 entry. Details for 2026 entry for our undergraduate courses will be published from September 2025.
This Ancient History BA allows you to explore a wide range of diverse periods, places, and cultures thanks to a broad syllabus that gives you the freedom to follow your interests. As well as history, you could also choose to study topics in literature, art, archaeology, and philosophy, learn ancient languages such as Latin and/or Greek. Your studies can cover a vast geographical area, from Roman Britain to the Black Sea, Persia, Egypt, and North Africa. You’ll also learn how to work with primary and documentary sources, such as literary texts and ancient inscriptions. This will help you to engage with the various types of history you’ll encounter, including social, cultural, political, military, economic, and religious history, and to scrutinise current debates in scholarship. You’ll join the best department for Classics research in the UK (REF 2021) and benefit from a unique range of teaching from the Bronze Age to Modern Greece. And you’ll get to build your experience beyond your ancient history course with a wealth of extracurricular opportunities that can include an expenses-paid field trip to an ancient site in the Mediterranean and an active Classics Society
This Ancient History BA degree offers a broad curriculum that mostly comprises modules that you will choose. This gives you the freedom to explore your interests, with modules ranging from earliest Greece, Rome and beyond to the impact of antiquity on the modern world. You can stretch your studies across a vast geographical area, from Roman Britain to the Black Sea, Persia, Egypt and North Africa, and cover other topics including literature, art, archaeology and philosophy alongside history. Your ancient history degree will start with a required module that covers the period from 1200 BC to AD 600. Designed to give you a solid background in ancient history, this module will introduce you to the subject and give you a taste of what you could research further during your course. During this required module, you will begin to study ancient history by looking across three continents, from the fall of Bronze Age empires to the formation of the classical Greek world, the rise of the Roman Empire and its influence after its fall. You will also acquaint yourself with the textual and material evidence on which this history is based and examine recent interpretations of the period. The rest of the first year of your degree will be decided by your optional modules. You’ll choose from introductory modules that will familiarise you with topics such as art and archaeology in Greece and Rome, Greek and Latin literature and thought, and the reception of the Greek world in later periods. You’ll also have the opportunity to study an ancient language as part of your Ancient History BA. It’s possible to start Ancient Greek or Latin as a total beginner or to continue your previous study in languages. If you don’t want to learn an ancient language, you’ll be able to study in translation. The second and third years of your Ancient History BA will be split in half. Each year, you’ll choose at least 50% of your modules from a list of ancient history subjects and the rest from a wider list of optional modules. During the second year, you could choose ancient history modules that specialise in ancient Greece and examine the early period from Troy to Marathon, democracy, empire, and war or Hellenistic art. You might prefer to centre your second-year studies on Rome, with modules touching on the fall of the Roman Republic, Pompeii, Roman Britain and the late Roman World. It’s also possible to develop a broader understanding of ancient history by mixing a range of modules with opportunities to study exciting topics beyond Greece and Rome, like the history of other ancient civilisations, including ancient Western Asia. In the third year of your Ancient History BA you will specialise further. Your varied history options might range from Persian kings and their territories during the Achaemenid Empire, Alexander the Great and the rise of Rome. You could investigate more closely the classical art of the body, Rome in the age of Cicero, the power and propaganda of Augustus or Pagans, Christians and Jews in the Roman Empire. The remainder of your second and third years will be spent on optional modules from all areas of classics. As well as being able to take further history modules, you can choose whether to take modules in archaeology, art history, philosophy, literature, and the influence of the ancient world on later cultures. It’s also possible to take optional modules from another department to complement your ancient history studies..
Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.
Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.
On this programme, you will have the opportunity to apply to study abroad, supported by the Study Abroad Tutor in your department and King’s Global Mobility Office. Together with partner organisations around the world, you will be supported in navigating your international, educational journey, developing new skills and competences and learning to apply different perspectives to your chosen discipline.
Students will be supported through innovative digital education tools to discover meaningful work experience for themselves, including internships, insight programmes, which you can undertake alongside your studies.
King's College London and Affiliates
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels.
Notes: If you are taking linear A-levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects. This is with the exception of private candidates who are unable to take the practical component. We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.
BBB Please note that A Level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A Levels. Notes: If you are taking linear A Levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects. This is with the exception of private candidates who are unable to take the practical endorsement. We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.
35 points overall or an aggregate score of 17 from three Higher Levels.
Note: The total point score of 35 includes TOK/EE.
32 points overall or an aggregate score of 15 from three Higher Levels. Note: The total point score of 32 includes TOK/EE.
Course specific subject requirements are indicated in subject requirements above
English language band: B
Please note that nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries (as defined by UKVI) who have successfully completed high school in the respective country, are not required to complete an English language test. For information on our English requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.
Contextual consideration
We make contextual offers for this programme, which can be found in the entry requirements. As part of the assessment process, we take into account contextual information to gain a more complete picture of each application. More information can be found on the Contextualised admissions website.
Deferrals
Applications can be submitted for deferred entry by choosing the appropriate year of entry on the UCAS application.
If your circumstances change and, therefore, you need to request a deferral after an offer has been made, then we can generally permit these for this programme. However, each deferral request will be considered on a case-by-case basis and we reserve the right to decline any post-offer deferral request. Requests should be submitted via a message on King’s Apply with an explanation of the reason for making the request.
Please note, second deferral requests will only be considered where the request is due to extreme unforeseen extenuating circumstances, for example, health reasons. We are unable to permit deferral requests that go beyond two years and you would need to apply again. This is with the exception of deferrals which are due to military/national service.
Foundation courses
Applicants studying Foundation Year programmes in the UK are welcome to apply for this programme. Foundation programmes from other universities and further education providers in the UK are considered on a case-by-case basis. Whether or not we can consider a particular foundation year as suitable for study at King's depends on the content of the syllabus and modules studied. In the past we have accepted foundation programmes from a number of other institutions.
We are unable to accept Foundation programmes that are integrated as part of a main degree at another institution. These may be called Year 0 or Integrated Foundations. We are also unable to accept non-UK Foundation courses.
Once you have submitted an application, the Admissions Office may contact you via King's Apply to ask for further details on your qualification, such as a list of modules and course specifications.
The King's International Foundation Programme has guaranteed pathways available for progression onto our King's undergraduate degree programmes, and information can be found on the website.
Graduates
Our general entry requirements are based on A-level or equivalent. However, where an applicant is completing/has completed a degree, we are able to consider the degree study as part of the assessment of the application.
Generally, we would consider a minimum of a UK Bachelor degree with a 2:1 grade profile (or overseas equivalent) as meeting the entry requirements for our undergraduate degrees. However, those who have achieved/are predicted a high 2:1 or a First may be considered more competitive.
Once you have submitted an application, the Admissions Office may contact you via King's Apply to ask for further details on your degree study.
Personal Statement
Your personal statement is one of the many factors in the overall assessment of your application, and is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the university and inform us of your commitment to the programme and how the programme fits into your career plans, as well as any work experience or extracurricular activities you have done.
Resits
We are able to consider applicants who have retaken or are retaking their qualifications.
Transfers
We are able to consider applications for transfer into Year 2 of this programme. Please see our Transferring to King’s website for more information.
If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, we can help with our Foundation year courses.
If you have an offer from King's, but English isn't your first language, we have courses to help you.
We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver the modules on the course. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study.
At King’s all students on a taught Programme are allocated a personal tutor who will play a key role in helping you get the most of your studies, providing support and encouragement for your time at university.
Personal tutors provide you with the opportunity periodically to take stock of your learning, academic progress and general wellbeing as you progress through your studies, offering guidance on how to seek further support if you need it, and how to access the range of opportunities available to you as a King’s student.
|
Year |
Percentage of time in scheduled learning and teaching activities |
Percentage of time in guided independent study |
Percentage of time on placements |
|
1 |
19% |
81% |
— |
|
2 |
13% |
87% |
— |
|
3 |
11% |
89% |
— |
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations. Forms of assessment may typically include coursework essays, written examinations and individual or group presentations. In your first year you will be assessed by coursework essays (and written examinations if you are taking an ancient language). The contribution of coursework and examinations to your final mark will depend on your choice of modules.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
Courses are divided into modules. Each year you will normally take modules totalling 120 credits.
This is a three-year degree course in which you will take a combination of required and optional modules to total 360 credits.
You are required to take the following modules:
In addition, you are required to take 90 credits, which may include 30 credits of Greek or Latin language acquisition, from a range of optional modules which may typically include:
With the approval of the course convenor, you may also choose to substitute one Classics module from any of the appropriate 15-credit Level 4 (Year 1) modules offered by the Faculty of Arts & Humanities and Global Institutes.
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.
Ancient History BA graduates go on to work in , including law, banking, the civil service, information technology, librarianship, education, heritage industries, the media, journalism, and the performing arts. Others choose to stay and pursue postgraduate qualifications at King’s.
The UK tuition fee for the 2025-26 academic year is currently £9,535 per year. This is based on the UK Government's cap.
The International tuition fee for the 2025-2026 academic year is £27,100 per year.
Please note that the International tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions.
All International applicants to Undergraduate programmes are required to pay a deposit of £2000 against their first year's tuition fee. This deposit is payable when you firmly accept an unconditional offer to study with us, and will be offset against your tuition fees when you join King's.
If you choose the study abroad option with one of King’s partner universities, you will not be charged tuition fees by the host university (although some partners do charge a small administration fee for applying). King’s will continue to invoice for a proportion of King's tuition fees. You should also budget to pay for the associated subsistence costs, such as travel, visas, accommodation and food as well as any vaccination/immunisations required by the country to which you are travelling. Please see the Study Abroad web pages for details of the relevant partner universities and detailed information on the fees that apply under the Course Essentials tab.
In addition to the costs above, you can also expect to pay for: · books if you choose to buy your own copies · clothing for optional course related events and competitions · library fees and fines · personal photocopies · printing course handouts · society membership fees · stationery · graduation costs · travel costs for travel around London and between campuses
To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.
This Ancient History BA degree offers a broad curriculum that mostly comprises modules that you will choose. This gives you the freedom to explore your interests, with modules ranging from earliest Greece, Rome and beyond to the impact of antiquity on the modern world. You can stretch your studies across a vast geographical area, from Roman Britain to the Black Sea, Persia, Egypt and North Africa, and cover other topics including literature, art, archaeology and philosophy alongside history. Your ancient history degree will start with a required module that covers the period from 1200 BC to AD 600. Designed to give you a solid background in ancient history, this module will introduce you to the subject and give you a taste of what you could research further during your course. During this required module, you will begin to study ancient history by looking across three continents, from the fall of Bronze Age empires to the formation of the classical Greek world, the rise of the Roman Empire and its influence after its fall. You will also acquaint yourself with the textual and material evidence on which this history is based and examine recent interpretations of the period. The rest of the first year of your degree will be decided by your optional modules. You’ll choose from introductory modules that will familiarise you with topics such as art and archaeology in Greece and Rome, Greek and Latin literature and thought, and the reception of the Greek world in later periods. You’ll also have the opportunity to study an ancient language as part of your Ancient History BA. It’s possible to start Ancient Greek or Latin as a total beginner or to continue your previous study in languages. If you don’t want to learn an ancient language, you’ll be able to study in translation. The second and third years of your Ancient History BA will be split in half. Each year, you’ll choose at least 50% of your modules from a list of ancient history subjects and the rest from a wider list of optional modules. During the second year, you could choose ancient history modules that specialise in ancient Greece and examine the early period from Troy to Marathon, democracy, empire, and war or Hellenistic art. You might prefer to centre your second-year studies on Rome, with modules touching on the fall of the Roman Republic, Pompeii, Roman Britain and the late Roman World. It’s also possible to develop a broader understanding of ancient history by mixing a range of modules with opportunities to study exciting topics beyond Greece and Rome, like the history of other ancient civilisations, including ancient Western Asia. In the third year of your Ancient History BA you will specialise further. Your varied history options might range from Persian kings and their territories during the Achaemenid Empire, Alexander the Great and the rise of Rome. You could investigate more closely the classical art of the body, Rome in the age of Cicero, the power and propaganda of Augustus or Pagans, Christians and Jews in the Roman Empire. The remainder of your second and third years will be spent on optional modules from all areas of classics. As well as being able to take further history modules, you can choose whether to take modules in archaeology, art history, philosophy, literature, and the influence of the ancient world on later cultures. It’s also possible to take optional modules from another department to complement your ancient history studies..
Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.
Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.
On this programme, you will have the opportunity to apply to study abroad, supported by the Study Abroad Tutor in your department and King’s Global Mobility Office. Together with partner organisations around the world, you will be supported in navigating your international, educational journey, developing new skills and competences and learning to apply different perspectives to your chosen discipline.
Students will be supported through innovative digital education tools to discover meaningful work experience for themselves, including internships, insight programmes, which you can undertake alongside your studies.
King's College London and Affiliates
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels.
Notes: If you are taking linear A-levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects. This is with the exception of private candidates who are unable to take the practical component. We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.
BBB Please note that A Level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A Levels. Notes: If you are taking linear A Levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects. This is with the exception of private candidates who are unable to take the practical endorsement. We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.
35 points overall or an aggregate score of 17 from three Higher Levels.
Note: The total point score of 35 includes TOK/EE.
32 points overall or an aggregate score of 15 from three Higher Levels. Note: The total point score of 32 includes TOK/EE.
Course specific subject requirements are indicated in subject requirements above
English language band: B
Please note that nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries (as defined by UKVI) who have successfully completed high school in the respective country, are not required to complete an English language test. For information on our English requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.
Contextual consideration
We make contextual offers for this programme, which can be found in the entry requirements. As part of the assessment process, we take into account contextual information to gain a more complete picture of each application. More information can be found on the Contextualised admissions website.
Deferrals
Applications can be submitted for deferred entry by choosing the appropriate year of entry on the UCAS application.
If your circumstances change and, therefore, you need to request a deferral after an offer has been made, then we can generally permit these for this programme. However, each deferral request will be considered on a case-by-case basis and we reserve the right to decline any post-offer deferral request. Requests should be submitted via a message on King’s Apply with an explanation of the reason for making the request.
Please note, second deferral requests will only be considered where the request is due to extreme unforeseen extenuating circumstances, for example, health reasons. We are unable to permit deferral requests that go beyond two years and you would need to apply again. This is with the exception of deferrals which are due to military/national service.
Foundation courses
Applicants studying Foundation Year programmes in the UK are welcome to apply for this programme. Foundation programmes from other universities and further education providers in the UK are considered on a case-by-case basis. Whether or not we can consider a particular foundation year as suitable for study at King's depends on the content of the syllabus and modules studied. In the past we have accepted foundation programmes from a number of other institutions.
We are unable to accept Foundation programmes that are integrated as part of a main degree at another institution. These may be called Year 0 or Integrated Foundations. We are also unable to accept non-UK Foundation courses.
Once you have submitted an application, the Admissions Office may contact you via King's Apply to ask for further details on your qualification, such as a list of modules and course specifications.
The King's International Foundation Programme has guaranteed pathways available for progression onto our King's undergraduate degree programmes, and information can be found on the website.
Graduates
Our general entry requirements are based on A-level or equivalent. However, where an applicant is completing/has completed a degree, we are able to consider the degree study as part of the assessment of the application.
Generally, we would consider a minimum of a UK Bachelor degree with a 2:1 grade profile (or overseas equivalent) as meeting the entry requirements for our undergraduate degrees. However, those who have achieved/are predicted a high 2:1 or a First may be considered more competitive.
Once you have submitted an application, the Admissions Office may contact you via King's Apply to ask for further details on your degree study.
Personal Statement
Your personal statement is one of the many factors in the overall assessment of your application, and is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the university and inform us of your commitment to the programme and how the programme fits into your career plans, as well as any work experience or extracurricular activities you have done.
Resits
We are able to consider applicants who have retaken or are retaking their qualifications.
Transfers
We are able to consider applications for transfer into Year 2 of this programme. Please see our Transferring to King’s website for more information.
If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, we can help with our Foundation year courses.
If you have an offer from King's, but English isn't your first language, we have courses to help you.
We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver the modules on the course. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study.
At King’s all students on a taught Programme are allocated a personal tutor who will play a key role in helping you get the most of your studies, providing support and encouragement for your time at university.
Personal tutors provide you with the opportunity periodically to take stock of your learning, academic progress and general wellbeing as you progress through your studies, offering guidance on how to seek further support if you need it, and how to access the range of opportunities available to you as a King’s student.
|
Year |
Percentage of time in scheduled learning and teaching activities |
Percentage of time in guided independent study |
Percentage of time on placements |
|
1 |
19% |
81% |
— |
|
2 |
13% |
87% |
— |
|
3 |
11% |
89% |
— |
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations. Forms of assessment may typically include coursework essays, written examinations and individual or group presentations. In your first year you will be assessed by coursework essays (and written examinations if you are taking an ancient language). The contribution of coursework and examinations to your final mark will depend on your choice of modules.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
Courses are divided into modules. Each year you will normally take modules totalling 120 credits.
This is a three-year degree course in which you will take a combination of required and optional modules to total 360 credits.
You are required to take the following modules:
In addition, you are required to take 90 credits, which may include 30 credits of Greek or Latin language acquisition, from a range of optional modules which may typically include:
With the approval of the course convenor, you may also choose to substitute one Classics module from any of the appropriate 15-credit Level 4 (Year 1) modules offered by the Faculty of Arts & Humanities and Global Institutes.
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.
Ancient History BA graduates go on to work in , including law, banking, the civil service, information technology, librarianship, education, heritage industries, the media, journalism, and the performing arts. Others choose to stay and pursue postgraduate qualifications at King’s.
The UK tuition fee for the 2025-26 academic year is currently £9,535 per year. This is based on the UK Government's cap.
The International tuition fee for the 2025-2026 academic year is £27,100 per year.
Please note that the International tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions.
All International applicants to Undergraduate programmes are required to pay a deposit of £2000 against their first year's tuition fee. This deposit is payable when you firmly accept an unconditional offer to study with us, and will be offset against your tuition fees when you join King's.
If you choose the study abroad option with one of King’s partner universities, you will not be charged tuition fees by the host university (although some partners do charge a small administration fee for applying). King’s will continue to invoice for a proportion of King's tuition fees. You should also budget to pay for the associated subsistence costs, such as travel, visas, accommodation and food as well as any vaccination/immunisations required by the country to which you are travelling. Please see the Study Abroad web pages for details of the relevant partner universities and detailed information on the fees that apply under the Course Essentials tab.
In addition to the costs above, you can also expect to pay for: · books if you choose to buy your own copies · clothing for optional course related events and competitions · library fees and fines · personal photocopies · printing course handouts · society membership fees · stationery · graduation costs · travel costs for travel around London and between campuses
To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.
Chat with current students and King's staff to find out about the courses we offer, life at King's and ask any questions you may have.
Take a look at our comfortable, safe residences to suit your budget, located close to King's teaching campuses.
Art, food, music, shopping – you'll never find yourself with nothing to do in the world's most vibrant city.
Information about living in London, including events, budgeting and expenses, travel and safety.
During your time at King's College London, a range of academic and personal support and guidance is available to you.
