Egyptology and Ancient History with a Foundation Year

UCAS code: VV40

Here's what Swansea University says about its Egyptology and Ancient History with a Foundation Year course.

Egyptology and Ancient History with a Foundation Year covers the study of Ancient Egyptian language, literature, history and culture. Studying this four-year BA degree opens up a range of exciting career possibilities by helping you to develop transferable skills, which are highly valued by employers.

You will explore Egyptian art and architecture, ancient Egyptian history and civilisation, archaeology, religion, sex and gender, Ancient and Middle Egypt; Greek and Roman history and society; warfare and empire; and learn a Greek, Latin or Egyptian language.

The Foundation Year gives you an exciting introduction to Higher Education, setting you up with the skills, confidence, and knowledge that you’ll need to be successful on your undergraduate degree. It’s ideal if you need a little more support after Further Education or are returning to education after a gap.

The foundation year of this four-year course will introduce you to the key concepts and knowledge you need to progress to the BA in Egyptology and Ancient History. Following successful completion of the Foundation Year, you will progress onto Year 1 of the BA.

You will also have the option of spending a semester abroad during the second year in either the USA, Canada, China, Hong Kong or Singapore to enhance your student experience and career prospects.

We are based in our stunning Singleton Park campus, in parkland overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsula.

Ancient History at Swansea is ranked: • 2nd in the UK for Student Experience (Times Good University Guide 2025) • 2nd in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction (Guardian University Guide 2025) • 3rd in the UK for Teaching Quality (Times Good University Guide 2025) • Top 20 in the UK for Graduate Outcomes (Complete University Guide 2025) • Top 51-150 in the World (QS World Rankings by Subject 2025)

Swansea University is proud to be home to the Egypt Centre, which houses over 5,000 archaeological objects from the Welcome Collection of Egyptian antiquities.

You can gain teaching experience by leading workshops for the South West Wales Reaching Wider Partnership to enhance your student experience and career prospects or teach beginners Hieroglyphs to members of the local community during the summer.

Your first year will be spent on your Foundation, preparing you for Higher Education. Topics on this foundation including skills development and introductions to key themes on your degree, including Academic Writing and Skills Development, Critical Reflection and Problem Solving, and History, Memory and the Creation of Identity.

After successfully completing your Foundation, you’ll move on to your BA degree.

In Year 0, you will typically study areas including: Academic Writing and Skills Development, Introduction to Being Human, History, Memory and the Creation of Identity, Critical Reflection and Problem Solving.

In Year 1, you will typically study areas including: Introduction to Ancient Egyptian History, Society and Culture, Age of Empire: Ancient Egypt and her Neighbours, Greek History and Society, Rome from Village to Empire: An Introduction to Roman History.

In Year 2, you will typically study areas including: Introduction to Egyptian Archaeology, Language of the Pharaohs: An Introduction to Hieroglyphic Literacy, Egyptian Art and Architecture.

In Year 3, you will typically study areas including: Classics, Ancient History and you will also undertake a project: Egyptology Dissertation

Your degree with culminate in year 4, with a wide range of optional modules that can include The Archaeology of Ancient Nubia, advanced levels of Greek or Latin, Pompeii and the Cities of Vesuvius, and a compulsory Classics, Ancient History and Egyptology Dissertation.

We offer a variety of assessment methods within our programmes. In addition to traditional examinations and essays, examples of alternative assessment include: Essays; Presentations (individual & group); Source Analysis & Skill based assessment.

Throughout your undergraduate Egyptology and Ancient History degree, you will develop excellent research and analytical skills and learn to present your ideas effectively both verbally and in writing. For full breakdown of course structure and assessment please visit our course page: www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/culture-communication/classics-ancient-history-egyptology/ba-egyptology-ancient-history or get in touch with us at [email protected]