Course name
University name or location
Topic or category
Find a course
Search, shortlist and compare thousands of courses to find that perfect one.
Where to study
See what makes a university special and discover where you belong.
Find a university
Search by name or city.
Get Advice
Get tips, tricks and wise words from students and experts at each stage.
Browse advice
A-level choices
Accounting personal statement examples
Law degree
Revision help
Oxbridge applications
Ucas application
Student life
Student finance
Browse all advice
Popular right now
Can you speak lawyer?
What is a university lecture like?
Law degree or no law degree - should you go to law school?
What A-levels do you need to study law?
Six things you need to know before making your final A-level choices
What university is really like
Why it's worth joining societies at uni
What students wish they’d known about postgrad study
Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Ancient History and Archaeology
Durham University
Entry requirements
Here's what you will need to get a place on the Ancient History and Archaeology course at Durham University.
Select a qualification to see required grades
A level
A,A,B
Specific subjects excluded for entry: General Studies and Critical Thinking.
Tuition fees
| Location | Fees |
|---|---|
| England | £9,535 per year |
| Scotland | £9,535 per year |
| Wales | £9,535 per year |
| Northern Ireland | £9,535 per year |
| Channel Islands | £9,535 per year |
| Republic of Ireland | £9,535 per year |
| EU | £28,000 per year |
| International | £28,000 per year |
Course summary
What this course is about
UCAS code: VF14
Here's what Durham University says about its Ancient History and Archaeology course.
Course Summary This Joint Honours degree enables you to combine Ancient History modules from the Department of Classics and Ancient History with those offered by the Department of Archaeology. The balance is broadly equal, but as you progress through your course you will have several opportunities to follow your particular interests in one or both areas. Studying on this course will allow you to fully explore the connections between archaeological discovery and historical context.
Why Durham University? Gain an understanding of the present by unlocking the past. Combine academic theory with lab and fieldwork and the examination of historic objects when you study in this world-leading Department at the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Archaeology at Durham is an exciting and diverse discipline that delves into the past to inform our understanding of the modern world. Flexibility - We offer a range of single and joint honours BA and BSc degrees with flexible pathways to suit your interests and career goals, and most courses include the possibility of a work placement or year abroad.
Rankings Top 100 in the QS World University Rankings 2026 21 subjects in the World Top 100 (QS World University Rankings 2025) 5th in the UK Complete University Guide 2026 5th in the UK Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 6th in the Guardian University Guide 2025
Career Opportunities Archaeology Our close links with industry specialists coupled with in-house archaeological facilities give you a taste of the industry from the beginning of the course. This broad-based discipline can take you into many different careers. This experience helps develop a broad range of subject-specific skills from osteology, geochemistry and the conservation of archaeological objects, to survey and remote sensing techniques and applications for Geographic Information Systems. Our graduates work for organisations all over the world, from national and international heritage organisations, museums, environmental agencies, and commercial archaeological services to law and publishing, forensic science, teaching, tourism, and local and national government.
Classics and Ancient History 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.
Course details
Qualification
Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Department
Interdepartmental
Location
Durham City | Durham
Duration
3 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Subjects
• Archaeology
• Classical studies
Start date
September 29, 2025
Application deadline
January 29, 2025
The modules you will study
For current information please scroll to the bottom of the page for Provider Information and select Visit our Course Page under Course Contact Details.
How you will be assessed
On this course you will be assessed through your coursework, traditional skills and presentations, as well as through hands-on practical exercises,
In the final year you will write a dissertation, led by independent research and supported by one-on-one supervision, and this makes up one-third of your final-year marks.
In addition to the help provided by your subject lecturers, you can also access extensive support for your assessments through ASC, the Academic Skills Centre. See below for details: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/centres/academic-skills-centre/
Durham University reviews
Showing 106 reviews
Graduate
The SU building is uninviting. The SU didnu2019t seem to run many events or fun activities. It seemed to just exist.
1 year ago
Graduate
Itu2019s good if youu2019re able to participate in college life. But, it can be quite cliquey and as a non-British student it can be isolating.
1 year ago
Graduate
Accommodation is way too expensive for what and where it is. Durham is a small place with not much to do. Itu2019s beautiful and can be lovely, but rent prices are clearly inflated for student homes and the atmosphere and access to amenities does not warrant the prices.
1 year ago
Graduate
All around I think Durham does support rather well. Academic support especially - the process of getting extensions was smooth.
1 year ago
Graduate
The available facilities are great. But, there are very limited places to eat on campus and those available are often not very clean. All the ones I went to were also far more expensive than my friendsu2019 at other universities cafes and refectories.
1 year ago
Graduate
The teaching was good but I think it sacrificed giving space and time to learn the basics that would later be assessed in national exams like the new Solicitors Qualifying Exam in favour of delving deep into academic and theoretical aspects of law. For someone choosing to go into academia itu2019s t...
1 year ago
National Student Survey (NSS) scores
The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.
The Ancient History and Archaeology course at Durham University features content from more than one subject area. Using the options below, you can see ratings from students who took courses in each of these subject areas at this uni
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
94%
med
Teaching on my course
94%
med
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
93%
med
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
97%
med
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
91%
med
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
97%
med
Learning opportunities
87%
med
Learning opportunities
87%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
89%
med
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
89%
med
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
77%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
96%
high
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
83%
med
Assessment and feedback
77%
low
Assessment and feedback
77%
low
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
87%
med
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
89%
med
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
73%
med
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
68%
low
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
68%
low
Academic support
86%
low
Academic support
86%
low
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
87%
low
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
85%
low
Organisation and management
82%
med
Organisation and management
82%
med
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
80%
med
How well organised is your course?
83%
med
Learning resources
95%
high
Learning resources
95%
high
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
95%
high
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
97%
med
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
92%
high
Student voice
74%
med
Student voice
74%
med
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
52%
med
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
86%
med
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
88%
med
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
29%
low
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?
85%
med
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
70%
med
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
94%
med
Teaching on my course
94%
med
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
91%
med
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
98%
med
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
88%
med
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
97%
med
Learning opportunities
83%
med
Learning opportunities
83%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
90%
med
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
85%
med
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
68%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
89%
med
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
82%
med
Assessment and feedback
79%
med
Assessment and feedback
79%
med
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
86%
med
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
85%
med
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
77%
med
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
83%
med
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
64%
med
Academic support
91%
med
Academic support
91%
med
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
91%
low
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
90%
med
Organisation and management
78%
med
Organisation and management
78%
med
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
79%
med
How well organised is your course?
77%
low
Learning resources
95%
high
Learning resources
95%
high
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
92%
high
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
96%
med
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
96%
high
Student voice
74%
med
Student voice
74%
med
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
54%
med
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
86%
med
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
83%
med
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
42%
low
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?
86%
med
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
81%
med
Student information
The Ancient History and Archaeology course at Durham University features content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below to find out about the students taking courses in each of those subject areas at this uni.
| Most popular A-levels studied | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Grade | |||||
| History | A | |||||
| Latin | A* | |||||
| Classical Civilisation | A | |||||
| English Literature | A* | |||||
| Mathematics | A | |||||
| Most popular A-levels studied | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Grade | |||||
| History | A | |||||
| English Literature | A | |||||
| Classical Civilisation | A | |||||
| Mathematics | B | |||||
| Biology | A | |||||
Graduate prospects
What graduates do next
The Ancient History and Archaeology course includes content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below for information about Durham University graduates across each of those subject areas.
Graduate statistics
65%
In a job where degree was essential or beneficial
95%
In work, study or other activity
55%
Say it fits with future plans
40%
Are utilising studies
Top job areas
20%
Business and public service associate professionals
15%
Elementary occupations
10%
Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations
10%
Natural and social science professionals
Graduate statistics
65%
In a job where degree was essential or beneficial
80%
In work, study or other activity
75%
Say it fits with future plans
40%
Are utilising studies
Top job areas
15%
Business and public service associate professionals
15%
Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
15%
Elementary occupations
15%
Sales occupations
Graduate statistics percentages are determined 15 months after a student graduates
Earnings after graduation
Earnings from Durham University graduates who took Ancient History and Archaeology - or another course in the same subject area.
Earnings
£22.6k
First year after graduation
£29.6k
Third year after graduation
£40.2k
Fifth year after graduation
Shown here are the median earnings of graduates at one, three and five years after they completed a course related to Ancient History and Archaeology.
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree
Discussions
Discussions
Students are talking about Durham University on The Student Room.
Durham University open days
Are you thinking of applying to this university?
Before you do, it's a good idea to go to an open day. You can have a good look around campus, getting a better idea of what it's like to study there. You'll meet current students and staff and get the chance to ask them questions.
Universities will list upcoming open days on their websites. Most will also have virtual open days; these are a great alternative if you really can't get there in person. For tips on preparing for open days, check the advice section here on The Uni Guide.
