Ancient, Classical and Medieval Studies
VV14Our Ancient, Classical and Medieval Studies degree takes you on a highly engaging and fascinating adventure through time. From the Bronze Age to the Crusades and beyond, it’s an absorbing three-year journey exploring the archaeology and history of the British Isles, continental Europe and the Mediterranean.
Course overview
The course has a multidisciplinary approach to the human past, and is led by expert staff from one of Winchester’s leading teaching and research units, the School of History, Archaeology and Philosophy. You can study subjects in Archaeology, Classical Studies and History that cover the Bronze Age to the medieval period, using stimulating and engaging teaching materials.
What you need to know
Course start date
September
Location
Winchester campus
Course length
- 3 years full-time
- 6 years part-time
Apply
VV14
Typical offer
104-120 points
Fees
From £9,250 pa
Course features
- Choose from a wide range of themes and periods
- Develop deep theoretical and cultural knowledge and develop skills in analysis and research methods, sought after by employers in many industries
- Combine historical and archaeological evidence in your studies to achieve a broad and fulfilling view of the past and explore the rich archaeological and historical heritage of Wessex
Course details
Placement
If you decide to complete an optional History Work/Volunteering Placement it may incur travel costs, which are dependent upon where you undertake the placement (if local it may be minimal, but costs go up when public transport is used to travel). You will have a say in where your placement is located.
Fieldtrips
You will have the option to participate in either a four day-long Archaeology or History field trip module in your second year of study. You can also take the Classical Studies summer school in either Greece or Rome between your second and third year (additional costs apply).
Study abroad
Our BA (Hons) Ancient, Classical and Medieval Studies course provides an opportunity for you to study abroad in the United States of America or Canada.
For more information see our Study Abroad section.
Learning and Teaching
Our aim is to shape 'confident learners' by enabling you to develop the skills needed to excel in your studies here and as well as onto further studies or the employment market.
You are taught primarily through a combination of lectures and seminars, allowing opportunities to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups.
In addition to the formally scheduled contact time such as lectures and seminars etc.), you are encouraged to access academic support from staff within the course team and the wide range of services available to you within the University.
Independent learning
Over the duration of your course, you will be expected to develop independent and critical learning, progressively building confidence and expertise through independent and collaborative research, problem-solving and analysis with the support of staff. You take responsibility for your own learning and are encouraged to make use of the wide range of available learning resources available.
Overall workload
Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning and assessment activity.
While your actual contact hours may depend on the optional modules you select, the following information gives an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities at each level of the course.
Year 1 (Level 4): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*
Teaching, learning and assessment: 216 hours
Independent learning: 984 hours
Year 2 (Level 5): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*
Teaching, learning and assessment: 228 hours
Independent learning: 972 hours
Year 3 (Level 6): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*
Teaching, learning and assessment: 192 hours
Independent learning: 1008 hours
*Please note these are indicative hours for the course.
Teaching hours
All class based teaching takes places between 9am – 6pm, Monday to Friday during term time. Wednesday afternoons are kept free from timetabled teaching for personal study time and for sports clubs and societies to train, meet and play matches. There may be some occasional learning opportunities (for example, an evening guest lecturer or performance) that take places outside of these hours for which you will be given forewarning.
The University library is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
Assessment
Our validated courses may adopt a range of means of assessing your learning. An indicative, and not necessarily comprehensive, list of assessment types you might encounter includes essays, portfolios, supervised independent work, presentations, written exams, or practical performances.
We ensure all students have an equal opportunity to achieve module learning outcomes. As such, where appropriate and necessary, students with recognised disabilities may have alternative assignments set that continue to test how successfully they have met the module's learning outcomes. Further details on assessment types used on the course you are interested in can be found on the course page, by attending an Open Day or Open Evening, or contacting our teaching staff.
Percentage of the course assessed by coursework
The assessment balance between examination and coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessed by different assessment modes is as follows:
Year 1 (Level 4)*:
58% coursework
38% written exams
4% practical assessment
Year 2 (Level 5)*:
55% coursework
40% written exams
5% practical assessment
Year 3 (Level 6)*:
47% coursework
40% written exams
13% practical assessment
*Please note these are indicative percentages and modes for the programme.
Feedback
We are committed to providing timely and appropriate feedback to you on your academic progress and achievement in order to enable you to reflect on your progress and plan your academic and skills development effectively. You are also encouraged to seek additional feedback from your course tutors.
Modules
Please note the modules listed are correct at the time of publishing. The University cannot guarantee the availability of all modules listed and modules may be subject to change. The University will notify applicants of any changes made to the core modules listed. For further information please refer to winchester.ac.uk/termsandconditions
Modules
An exploration of the archaeological evidence for ancient societies and civilisations from earliest prehistory through to the contemporary period.
The focus of this module is to introduce you to the distinctive character of archaeology as an academic discipline, both in terms of theory and practice. Topics examined include the development of the subject and its relationship with other cognate disciplines, relative and absolute chronology, different specialisms within archaeology, the relationship between data recovery techniques and the deduction of interpretations, and the importance of material culture.
This module introduces you to the core skills required to study history successfully at degree level, developing your skills as an independent researcher and building your confidence with both primary and secondary sources.
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to key concepts and developments in Medieval History.
Modules
A consideration of the application of research methods and theoretical approaches to the study of the past.
An exploration of the archaeology of Britain from prehistory to the modern period, illustrated with case studies and key sites and monuments.
Through the critical study of sources this modules explores the past through various chronological, geographical, cultural, political, economic and social contexts.
From Homer to Alexander: The Making of Classical & Hellenistic Greece
Through a combination of historical and archaeological material, this module looks at the development of Greece and its culture from the end of the Dark Ages to the coming of the Romans.
Themes in History
This module takes a thematic approach to study issues of continuity and change across a long period of time through a wide range chronological, geographical, cultural, political, economic and social contexts.
Optional
A consideration of the application of research methods and theoretical approaches to the study of the past.
An exploration of the archaeology of Britain from prehistory to the modern period, illustrated with case studies and key sites and monuments.
Through the critical study of sources this modules explores the past through various chronological, geographical, cultural, political, economic and social contexts.
From Homer to Alexander: The Making of Classical & Hellenistic Greece
Through a combination of historical and archaeological material, this module looks at the development of Greece and its culture from the end of the Dark Ages to the coming of the Romans.
Themes in History
This module takes a thematic approach to study issues of continuity and change across a long period of time through a wide range chronological, geographical, cultural, political, economic and social contexts.
Modules
10,000 word dissertation on a topic or theme.
Depth Study is the most detailed and exacting part of the taught programme. It is firmly grounded on a thorough understanding of the pertinent primary and secondary sources and thus represent the culmination of the taught course.
Themes in European Prehistory
This module discusses a series of major areas for debate in European prehistory, from the Palaeolithic to the Iron Age, such as the emergence of modern humans, the impact of climate change, the development of social elites, the appearance of states and civilisations, and periods of greater and lesser cultural similarity across the continent.
Rites, Religions and Ritual
This module examines the ranges of approaches, methods and themes relating to the study of religion, ritual and belief in past societies.
Comparative Studies in History
A Comparative Study examines an area of historical concern usually across more than one country and culture taking a variety of approaches including transnational, global and entanglement histories.
Popular Culture in the Classical World: Leisure, Culture and Entertainment
Students will reconsider the classical world from perspectives offered by non-elite culture, drawing on a range of sources related to topics such as humour and comedy, festivals and feasts, and games and spectacle.
Optional
10,000 word dissertation on a topic or theme.
Depth Study is the most detailed and exacting part of the taught programme. It is firmly grounded on a thorough understanding of the pertinent primary and secondary sources and thus represent the culmination of the taught course.
Themes in European Prehistory
This module discusses a series of major areas for debate in European prehistory, from the Palaeolithic to the Iron Age, such as the emergence of modern humans, the impact of climate change, the development of social elites, the appearance of states and civilisations, and periods of greater and lesser cultural similarity across the continent.
Rites, Religions and Ritual
This module examines the ranges of approaches, methods and themes relating to the study of religion, ritual and belief in past societies.
Comparative Studies in History
A Comparative Study examines an area of historical concern usually across more than one country and culture taking a variety of approaches including transnational, global and entanglement histories.
Popular Culture in the Classical World: Leisure, Culture and Entertainment
Students will reconsider the classical world from perspectives offered by non-elite culture, drawing on a range of sources related to topics such as humour and comedy, festivals and feasts, and games and spectacle.
Entry requirements
Our offers are typically made using UCAS tariff points to allow you to include a range of level 3 qualifications and as a guide, the requirements for this course are equivalent to:
- A-Levels: BCC-BBB from 3 A Levels or equivalent grade combinations (e.g. BBB is comparable to ABC in terms of tariff points)
- BTEC/CTEC: DMM from BTEC or Cambridge Technical (CTEC) qualifications
- International Baccalaureate: To include a minimum of 2 Higher Level certificates at grade H4
- T Level: Merit in a T Level
Additionally, we accept tariff points achieved for many other qualifications, such as the Access to Higher Education Diploma, Scottish Highers, UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma and WJEC Applied Certificate/Diploma, to name a few. We also accept tariff points from smaller level 3 qualifications, up to a maximum of 32, from qualifications like the Extended Project (EP/EPQ), music or dance qualifications. To find out more about UCAS tariff points, including what your qualifications are worth, please visit UCAS.
In addition to level 3 study, the following GCSE’s are required:
GCSE English Language at grade 4 or C, or higher. Functional Skills at level 2 is accepted as an alternative, however Key Skills qualifications are not. If you hold another qualification, please get in touch and we will advise further.
If you will be over the age of 21 years of age at the beginning of your undergraduate study, you will be considered as a mature student. This means our offer may be different and any work or life experiences you have will be considered together with any qualifications you hold. UCAS have further information about studying as a mature student on the UCAS website which may be of interest.
If English is not your first language, a formal English language test will most likely be required and you will need to achieve the following:
- IELTS Academic at 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all four components (for year 1 entry)
- We also accept other English language qualifications, such as IELTS Indicator, Pearson PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and TOEFL iBT.
If you are living outside of the UK or Europe, you can find out more about how to join this course by contacting our International Recruitment Team via our International Apply Pages.
2025 Course Tuition Fees
| UK / Channel Islands / Isle of Man / Republic of Ireland |
International |
|
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | £9,250 | £16,700 |
| Year 2 | £9,250 | £16,700 |
| Year 3 | £9,250 | £16,700 |
| Total | £27,750 | £50,100 |
| Optional Sandwich Year* | £1,850 | £3,340 |
| Total with Sandwich Year | £29,600 | £53,440 |
Additional tuition fee information
If you are a UK student starting your degree in September 2025, the first year will cost you £9,250**. Based on this fee level, the indicative fees for a three-year degree would be £27,750 for UK students.
Remember, you don’t have to pay any of this upfront if you are able to get a tuition fee loan from the UK Government to cover the full cost of your fees each year.
UK Part-Time fees are calculated on a pro rata basis of the full-time fee for a 120 credit course. The fee for a single credit is £77.08 and a 15 credit module is £1,156. Part-time students can take up to a maximum 90 credits per year, so the maximum fee in a given year will be the government permitted maximum fee of £6,935.
International part-time fees are calculated on a pro rata basis of the full-time fee for a 120 credit course. The fee for a single credit is £139.14 and a 15 credit module is £2,087.
* Please note that not all courses offer an optional sandwich year.
**The University of Winchester will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year.
Additional costs
As one of our students all of your teaching and assessments are included in your tuition fees, including, lectures/guest lectures and tutorials, seminars, laboratory sessions and specialist teaching facilities. You will also have access to a wide range of student support and IT services.
There might be additional costs you may encounter whilst studying. The following highlights the mandatory and optional costs for this course:
Mandatory
Books
Some modules require students to have access to books with an approximate cost of £100 if bought new over the course of a year (but texts can often be purchased at considerably reduced rates second hand). Mandatory modules might also require some core texts. Indicative cost: £150 per academic year.
Optional
Field trip
Students will have the option to participate in a three day-long residential archaeological field trip module in their second year of study. Indicative cost: £150. For the week-long History Fieldtrip in Year 2 - costs vary depending on location and number of students going on the trip. Indicative costs: £300-£700.
Dissertation work
Students working on dissertations in Year 3 may incur costs (mainly travel) of visiting archives, dependent upon the specific nature of the dissertation and availability of online resources for a specific subject. This would typically involve either travel to a local archive (e.g. Southampton, Portsmouth or further afield if the student chooses to study a locality away from Winchester) or a national archive, usually in London (the National Archive, the British Library, Women's Library). If the dissertation work is based in Winchester then costs will be far less.
Placement
If students decide to complete an optional History Work/Volunteering Placement, this may incur travel costs, which are dependent upon where the student undertakes the placement (if local it may be minimal, but costs go up when public transport is used to travel). Students will have a say in where their placement is located. Indicative costs: £0 - £300 dependent on location of placement and number of visits required.
SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES AND AWARDS
We have a variety of scholarship and bursaries available to support you financially with the cost of your course. To find out if you are eligible, see our Scholarships and Awards page.
CAREER PROSPECTS
Graduates have entered fulfilling historical and archaeological careers as teachers, in museums, heritage sites, archives and local authorities. However, the programme also provides a wide range of skills that are highly relevant to a number of other careers, such as conservation, education and the civil service. Our graduates are sought after by employers in all industries, who value their deep theoretical and cultural knowledge.
Pre-approved for a Masters
If you study a Bachelor Honours degree with us, you will be pre-approved to start a Masters degree at Winchester. To be eligible, you will need to apply by the end of March in the final year of your degree and meet the entry requirements of your chosen Masters degree.
OUR CAREERS SERVICE
"I really enjoyed history at school and was particularly passionate about the ancient and medieval aspects. There's such a wide choice of modules at Winchester and you're able to specialise in the periods that interest you the most."
