Bachelor of Arts (BA)
BA Ancient History and History
- Typical A-level offer: AAB including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: ABC including specific subjects
- UK refugee/care-experienced offer: ACC including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 35 points overall with 6,6,5 at HL including specific subjects
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Overview
Course overview
- Ranked top 10 in the UK for History, Philosophy and Theology (THE World University Rankings 2025).
- Combine the study of the Greek and Roman worlds with medieval and modern history.
- Discover medieval and contemporary history, stretching from Late Antiquity to modern day histories of globalisation.
- Learn from passionate and committed historians at the cutting edge of their subjects.
Open days
Join us on campus to learn more about your course, grab a chat with current students and academics, and explore our campus with its fantastic facilities.
It’s an invaluable opportunity to explore, discover, and enjoy some of the vibes that attract so many students to Manchester.
Find out more about our upcoming open days .
Not in the UK or can’t make it? Not a problem. Check out our virtual open day content .
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- School of Arts, Languages and Cultures
- Telephone
- +44 (0)161 509 2871
- ug-classics@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- https://www.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/cahae/
- School/Faculty overview
-
See: About us
Related courses
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
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Entry requirements
A-level
AAB, including A in History or Ancient History
Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken.
Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.
A-level contextual offer
ABC, including A in History or Ancient History.
Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken.
Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.
Contextual offers are available for applicants who:
- live in the UK and will be under the age of 21 on 1 September of the year they will start their course; and
- live in an area of disadvantage or with low progression into higher education; and
- have attended a UK school or college for their GCSEs or A-levels (or equivalent qualifications) that has performed below the national average over multiple years.
See our contextual admissions page for full details and to check your eligibility.
UK refugee/care-experienced offer
ACC including A in History or Ancient History.
Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offer you will receive.
Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.
UK refugee/care-experienced offers are available for applicants who:
- have been looked after in care for more than three months; or
- have been granted refugee status by the UK government or have been issued a UK visa under one of the Ukrainian schemes (Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family Scheme or Ukraine Extension Scheme).
See our contextual admissions page for full details and to check your eligibility.
International Baccalaureate
35 points overall. 6,6,5 in Higher Level subjects including History
Applicants studying the International Baccalaureate Career Related Programme (IBCP) should contact the admissions team prior to applying so that their academic profile can be considered.
GCSE/IGCSE
Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade 6 or B in GCSE/IGCSE English Language and Grade 4 or C in Mathematics. GCSE/IGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/IGCSE English Language.
Please note that if you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the admissions team in your academic School/Department for clarification.
Other entry requirements
Other entry requirements exist for this course. You may view these by selecting from the list below.
Country-specific entry requirements
English language requirements
All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either:
GCSE/IGCSE English Language grade B/6, or;
IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each sub-test, or;
An acceptable equivalent qualification.
Please note that if you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School for clarification.
If you need to improve your English language skills to meet the entry requirements for your academic course, the University Centre for Academic English (UCAE) summer pre-sessional courses can help. Check if your academic course offers the option of taking a pre-sessional course on the UCAE page .
The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student requiring a visa to study in the UK must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language (common European Framework (CEFR B2 level) to be granted a Student Route visa (previously known as a Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level.
In addition, our academic Schools/Departments may require applicants to demonstrate English proficiency above the B2 level. Further information about our English Language policy, including a list of some of the English Language qualifications we accept, can be found here .
English language test validity
Fees and funding
Fees
Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2026 will be £9,790 for the 2026/27 academic year (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £27,800 for the 2026/27 academic year. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.
In England and Wales, tuition fees for home undergraduate students are subject to the Government fee cap, which the Government has announced will be £9,790 for the 2026/27 academic year and £10,050 for the 2027/28 academic year (subject to Parliamentary approval).
The Government has also announced that the fee cap will then increase on an annual basis to reflect inflation (i.e. increasing costs), and the tuition fee you pay in subsequent academic years will reflect any increases in the Government fee cap (which we will communicate to you as soon as we can in advance of the relevant academic year).
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
We know that student finance can be complicated. The links below provide further information to help guide you.
Learn more about student finance options for UK students .
Learn more about f ees and finance for international students .
As an international student you may be eligible for our Global Futures Scholarships . This is open to students starting their studies in September 2026.
Application and selection
How to apply
Home-schooled applicants
Non-standard educational routes
Mature students are some of our most well-equipped learners, bringing skills and attributes gained from work, family and other life experiences. Students come from a whole array of backgrounds, study every kind of course, undertake full-time and part-time learning and are motivated by career intentions as well as personal interest. There is no such thing as a typical mature student at Manchester.
The application process is the same as for other prospective undergraduates. If you require further clarification about the acceptability of the qualifications you hold please contact the academic School(s) you plan to apply to. Further information for mature students can be found here ( http://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/mature-students/ )
How your application is considered
Interview requirements
Returning to education
Overseas (non-UK) applicants
Deferrals
We welcome applications for deferred entry and feel a gap year benefits many students.
We do ask applicants to let us know as early as possible if they are intending to defer. This helps us to adjust the number of offers we make, in order to achieve the required number of students in a given year.
Re-applications
Transfers
We will consider applications to transfer to Manchester from other universities and would normally ask for a letter explaining why a transfer was needed, relevant transcripts, a copy of the applicant's UCAS form and a confidential reference from one of the applicant's current university tutors.
We will consider applications to transfer from other degrees within the University of Manchester but applicants are required to have the A-level grades (or other qualifications) needed for entry to that degree programme.
Both of the above are subject to our having enough places to accommodate such applicants . Enquiries should be made to the admissions administrator for the subject (see contact details).
Course details
Course description
Our BA Ancient History and History joint honours course will enable you to combine the study of ancient, medieval and modern history.
Half of the course engages with the history and culture of the Greco-Roman civilisations of the Mediterranean and its hinterland, while the other half explores medieval and contemporary history, stretching from Late Antiquity to modern day histories of globalisation.
As well as offering breadth of perspective, this course will give you training on a large variety of historiographical techniques, including specialisms which are vital tools of historical research.
You will be equipped to move into a wide range of careers or further study options.
Special features
Placement year option
Apply your subject-specific knowledge in a real-world context through a placement year in your third year of study, enabling you to enhance your employment prospects, clarify your career goals and build your external networks.
Study abroad
You can apply to spend one semester studying abroad during Year 2, with exchange partners including those in Europe as well as the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Connect with like-minded students
Our students can take part in history-related activities outside of the course, including the Manchester Histories Festival and our student-led publication - The Manchester Historian .
Explore world-class collections
Enjoyunique opportunitiesto explore special archived material and carry out research in a wide range of archives, libraries, museums and other research institutions in Manchester and beyond.
Teaching and learning
Coursework and assessment
Course content for year 1
Course units for year 1
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAHE10011 | 20 | Mandatory | |
| CAHE10022 | 20 | Mandatory | |
| HIST10101 | 20 | Mandatory | |
| CAHE10101 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE10232 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE10281 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE10422 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE10651 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE20151 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE20162 | 20 | Optional | |
| Displaying 10 of 24 course units for year 1 | |||
| Display all course units for year 1 | |||
Course content for year 2
Course units for year 2
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAHE20052 | 20 | Mandatory | |
| CAHE20061 | 20 | Mandatory | |
| AMER20141 | 20 | Optional | |
| AMER21002 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE20042 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE20072 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE20091 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE20162 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE20332 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE20531 | 20 | Optional | |
| Displaying 10 of 36 course units for year 2 | |||
| Display all course units for year 2 | |||
Course content for year 3
Course units for year 3
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAHE20162 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE30000 | 40 | Optional | |
| CAHE30072 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE30091 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE30141 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE30332 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE30632 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE30721 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE30881 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE33361 | 20 | Optional | |
| Displaying 10 of 48 course units for year 3 | |||
| Display all course units for year 3 | |||
Facilities
The John Rylands Library
You will have access to internationally significant collections at The John Rylands Library , which include primary mediaeval andearly modernistprinted sources, including approximately 12,500 books printed between 1475 and 1640 (e.g.books by Caxton.
The library is also home to special collections including The Methodist Archives and Collection, The French Revolution Collection, The Women's Suffrage Movement Archive and The Labour Party Library Collections.
Manchester Museum
Manchester Museum is The University's own award-winning facility, home to important prehistoric, classical and ethnographic collections, which you'll draw from in yourlearning.
You'll go behind the scenes to handle, analyse and interpret rare artefacts, including one of the finest Egyptology collections in Britain.
Our ongoing collaboration between the museum and the global work of archaeology staff offers unique opportunities for students to get involved in the design of major exhibitions.
Find out more about our facilities
Disability support
Careers
Career opportunities
Build Skills Employers Value
All our courses help you develop strong transferable skills — encouraging you to think both logically and creatively when interpreting and analysing information and data.
A degree in Classics or Ancient History gives you the ability to communicate ideas clearly and understand different cultures and societies in depth. These are skills that can lead to careers in a wide range of industries.
You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to gain practical and professional experience during your studies. Employers value graduates who can apply knowledge across multiple fields.
Real-World Experience
Gain professional experience through a work placement year or broaden your horizons with a semester abroad. You can also take courses across the University through Interdisciplinary Learning, broadening your expertise and career options.
Career Advantage
The creative economy accounts for one in 11 jobs in the UK and employs 700,000 more people than the financial services industry (Creative Industries Federation).
The University of Manchester is the second most targeted university in the UK by top graduate employers (High Fliers Research, 2025).
Our award-winning Careers Service offers expert advice, tools, and development opportunities, plus dedicated support throughout your degree — and for two years after graduation.
Continue Your Journey
Our undergraduate degrees are designed to make it easy to progress into postgraduate study if you choose.
We offer a wide range of specialist master’s courses, with fast-tracked enrolment available for high-achieving undergraduate students.
You can also take part in our Stellify programme, developing leadership and professional skills while contributing to your community through volunteering.
Proven Graduate Outcomes
Our graduates go on to successful careers in a variety of fields, including roles with:
•BBC
•Google
•UK Government
•Museums
•Cultural institutions
•Law firms
Find out more onour Careers and Employability page.
Regulated by the Office for Students
The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website.
You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website.
