Department of History | BA Ancient, Medieval and Modern History (with Placement Year)

BA Ancient, Medieval & Modern History (with Placement Year) at Durham University

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Delve into the past with our BA in Ancient, Medieval & Modern History. Explore the societies and cultures of the past and consider how history is recorded and how we engage with and understand history today.

This joint degree enables you to combine modules from our Ancient History course with modules in Medieval & Modern History offered by the Department of History. The balance between the two Departments is broadly equal, but by the third year you can weight your choice of modules more to one side than the other, depending on your interests.

In your first year we will introduce you to the world of the Ancient Greeks and Early Imperial Rome, seen from a variety of perspectives (not just historical) and to different forms of evidence. This will prepare you for a wide range of more specific historical modules about Politics & Society in the Ancient World in your second and third years. This can also be enriched by the study of Ancient Literature, Language and Philosophy.

In the Department of History, you will study modules in Medieval, Early Modern and Late Modern History, with electives available in the study of cultures from around the globe.

You will bring all your knowledge and skills together in your dissertation. You will be able to concentrate your studies in an area that fascinates you and really blossom as an independent learner. Through this you will engage, at an advanced level, with creative research at the forefront of these historical disciplines.

You will be encouraged to attend an extensive programme of research-related activities in both Departments, including research seminars, public lectures from high-profile guest speakers and events organised by the student-run History Society and Classics Society.

History's aim is to make you better at thinking, speaking, and writing for yourself; and better at critically assessing the words that others speak and write. Thinking analytically, arguing clearly and concisely - these are fundamental skills in many jobs. Our graduates have gone on to find successful careers in a wide variety of fields. They work in teaching at schools and universities, in museums and galleries, in law, finance, banking and accountancy, the Civil Service, the charity sector, media, journalism, and the military and further study.

Our students acquire many skills which are readily transferable to a whole range of professions. You will learn to search for, gather and process information, to evaluate evidence and to express yourself clearly and succinctly, both verbally and in writing.

Classics graduates have progressed to careers as diverse as computing, the Civil Service, gold dealing, teaching, journalism, law, accountancy, public relations and the theatre. A significant number of our students progress onto higher level study following their degree. Some remain within their academic field of interest and pursue a Master’s degree, either at Durham or elsewhere. Others choose professional postgraduate programmes in subjects such as law, finance and teaching.

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A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other!