The cultures of Greece and Rome lie at the heart of Western civilisation and resonate throughout the world. Whether you already have some familiarity with the ancient world or not, Ancient History at Reading is a fascinating opportunity for you to develop an in-depth knowledge of Greece and Rome, two societies that have done much to shape our own. The main focus of the degree is Greek and Roman history, and as your degree progresses you will be able to explore these cultures – and some of their neighbours – in a wide variety of ways. Ancient History at Reading will especially appeal to you if you are eager to gain an all-encompassing view of the subject as our department is wide in its range, in terms of both time and place: here, you can cover the ancient world, its histories, its societies, its languages, its concepts, and its legacy in its entirety, from the Bronze Age to the 21st century.

A degree in Ancient History will provide you with a range of transferable skills. Historians have to analyse a wide variety of sources to produce reasoned conclusions, and this helps develop clear thinking, written and oral communication skills, time management, adaptability, independence, and the ability to understand different cultures. Our recent graduates have gone on to a wide variety of careers, including work in accountancy and banking, government and the civil service, law, heritage and museums, teaching, publishing, public sector management, libraries and archives, and media research and production. Recent employers include GCHQ, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Oxford University, the British Museum, the NHS, the Environment Agency, and Sotheby's.