History Ancient and Modern
The History Ancient and Modern degree at Oxford allows students to explore the history of Afroeurasia across thousands of years. The course covers topics ranging from the Bronze Age Mediterranean through the Greco-Roman world, late antiquity, the Middle Ages, the early modern period, and finally British, European, and global history in the modern era.
This broad scope encourages comparisons between very different societies and time periods, and students learn methods of study that shed light on both the History Ancient and Modern and modern worlds.
No prior knowledge of Latin or Greek is required. Students who wish to study these languages can learn them from the beginning while on the course.
Course overview
UCAS code: V118
Entrance requirements: AAA
Course duration: 3 years (BA)
Subject requirements
Required subjects: Not applicable
Recommended subjects: History
Other course requirements
Admissions tests: None in 2025
Written Work: One piece
Admissions statistics*
Interviewed: 72%
Successful: 23%
Intake: 24
*3-year average 2022-24
Breadth of Choice
One of the most remarkable features of this degree is the range of options available — over 90 different choices. These reflect the expertise and interests of Oxford’s tutors, many of whom are world-leading researchers. Lecturers often design new courses based on their cutting-edge research, ensuring that teaching is fresh, dynamic, and closely tied to current scholarship.
Libraries and Resources
Oxford offers exceptional support for History Ancient and Modern students with world-class libraries, including:
- The Bodleian Library
- The History Faculty Library
- The Bodleian Art, Archaeology and Ancient World Library
- The Weston Library’s special collections
- The Classics Centre, which is dedicated to classical studies
A Typical Week in History Ancient and Modern
In the first year, History Ancient and Modern students usually:
- Attend around four lectures per week
- Meet tutors regularly to discuss written work
- Carry out independent research
- Write at least one essay per week
In the second and third years, the variety of lecture courses expands enormously. Tutorials are still central to learning but are now supplemented with larger faculty classes. By the final year, students also complete a thesis, giving them the chance to conduct their own independent research on a topic of their choice.
Teaching style:
- Tutorials usually involve 2–4 students and a tutor.
- Classes typically have up to 12 students, depending on the subject.
- Most teaching is carried out by experienced tutors who are experts in their field, though some may also be delivered by advanced doctoral students.
Oxford’s academic year is structured in three terms. Students have a lot of control over their timetable and are expected to manage their own workload with independence and discipline.
Year 1
Students take four courses, chosen from:
- One period of Greek or Roman history
- One period of European or world history
- Either The World of Homer and Hesiod, Augustan Rome, or a History optional subject
- A text-based paper such as:
- Herodotus
- Sallust
- Approaches to History
- Historiography: Tacitus to Weber
- Or a Greek/Latin language paper
Assessment: First University Examinations (four written exams).
Years 2 and 3
Students take six courses, chosen from areas such as:
- A period of Greek or Roman history
- A period of European/world history or the history of the British Isles
- Further subjects (at least one must be ancient), including:
- Athenian democracy in the classical age
- Politics, society and culture from Nero to Hadrian
- Religions in the Greek and Roman world, 31 BC–AD 312
- Greeks and the Mediterranean world, 950–500 BC
- Art under the Roman Empire, AD 14–337
- Etruscan Italy
- The Hellenistic world, c. 300–100 BC
- The Achaemenid Empire, 550–330 BC
- Special subjects (again, at least one must be ancient), including:
- Alexander the Great and his early successors
- Cicero: politics and thought in the late Republic
- The Greek city in the Roman world, from Dio Chrysostom to John Chrysostom
- Disciplines of History
- Thesis (independent research project)
- Optional Greek/Latin language paper
Assessment: Final University Examinations, usually consisting of:
- Six written exams and a thesis
- Or five written exams, one extended essay, and a thesis
- (Optional additional language paper available)
Note: The content and format of the course may change in certain circumstances. For the latest information, students should consult the History Faculty and Classics Faculty websites.
To apply for the Ancient and Modern History course, you are expected to meet one of the following:
- A-levels: AAA
- Scottish Advanced Highers: AA or AAB
- International Baccalaureate (IB): 38 points overall (including core points), with 666 at Higher Level
- Other equivalent qualifications: Applicants with UK or international qualifications other than those listed should refer to Oxford’s guidance on accepted qualifications.
Oxford considers your academic performance in context – meaning your grades will be assessed in light of your personal circumstances and the school where you studied. For more details, see Oxford’s information on contextual data.
Subject Requirements
- Highly recommended: History to A-level, Advanced Higher, Higher Level IB, or an equivalent.
- Helpful but not essential: A classical language (Latin or Greek), Classical Civilisation, or Ancient History. These subjects may make parts of the course easier, but they are not required for admission.
- Science A-levels with practical components: If you are offering these as part of your qualifications, you must pass the practical element.
- English language: If English is not your first language, you may need to meet Oxford’s English language proficiency requirements.
Astrophoria Foundation Year
If your personal or educational background has made it unlikely that you will achieve the grades typically required, you may be eligible for the Astrophoria Foundation Year. This programme is designed to help talented students access Oxford who might otherwise be unable to.
For full details about eligibility and entry standards, see Oxford’s Foundation Year course pages.
Applying
All candidates must follow Oxford’s standard application procedure, outlined on the Applying to Oxford pages. Below are the specific requirements for this course.
Admissions Test
- No admissions test is required for applicants to Ancient and Modern History in the 2025 entry cycle.
Written Work
All applicants must submit a sample of written work:
- Type of work: An argument-driven essay on a historical topic, produced as part of your normal school or college studies.
- Not accepted: Source-based analyses or commentaries that require the assessor to read the original material.
- Length: Maximum 2,000 words. Extracts from longer essays are allowed if they can stand alone as a complete piece of work.
- Include: The original question or title the essay responds to.
Choose a piece of work you found stimulating and would be happy to discuss further. Even if your views on the topic have since changed, tutors value intellectual curiosity and ongoing engagement.
- Certification: The work must be accompanied by a signed statement from your school or college confirming the circumstances under which it was written.
- Deadline: 10 November 2025.
Further guidance and a downloadable cover sheet are available on Oxford’s website.
Careers
Graduates of Ancient and Modern History at Oxford develop strong analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills. This opens doors to a wide range of careers, such as:
- Law
- Teaching
- Investment banking and consultancy
- Advertising and marketing
- Accountancy
- Civil Service and public policy
- Publishing, journalism, and the media
- Global charity and non-profit work
- Museums, libraries, and archival research
Examples of Graduate Destinations
- Mary-Kate, now a Civil Servant, says:
“Through my joint course I developed the ability to work flexibly and under pressure, sharpened my analytical skills, and learnt to be independently minded. These skills have been invaluable in my role as a Fast Streamer for the Home Office.” - Heather, now a Lecturer in British History at the Humboldt University in Berlin, explains:
“The ability to work independently and under time pressure as an undergraduate was excellent preparation for academia. It gave me the confidence to teach at university level and to present my research to peers.”
History Ancient and Modern graduates have recently gone on to roles including civil servant, librarian, and charity campaign manager.
Fees and Living Costs
Course Fees
For full-time Home undergraduate students, Oxford follows the government-set tuition fee cap.
- For the 2025/26 academic year, the cap is £9,535.
- This figure is shown below as a guide for students starting in 2026, but the page will be updated once the government confirms the exact fee level.
- Fees normally increase annually – see Oxford’s guidance on likely annual increases for details.
Annual Course Fees (2026 entry):
- Home (UK/Irish/eligible students): £9,535
- Overseas: £43,600
To check your eligibility for Home or Overseas fee status, see Oxford’s Fee Status webpage.
Living Costs
Oxford aims to keep living costs reasonable by offering excellent college facilities and resources.
- For students starting in 2026, living costs are estimated at £1,405–£2,105 per month while in Oxford.
- The academic year consists of three eight-week terms, so students usually need to budget for just over six months in Oxford each year.
- However, most students choose to budget over nine months to cover costs during vacations.
More details are available on Oxford’s Living Costs webpage.
Financial Support
Home Students
- Tuition Fee Loan: Available from the UK government to cover tuition fees in full, so you do not need to pay upfront.
- Oxford Bursaries: In 2026, Oxford will offer one of the most generous bursary schemes in the UK.
- Support is available for students from households with an income of around £50,000 or less.
- Extra financial support is available for students from households with incomes of £32,500 or less.
- Living Costs Support: The UK government also provides maintenance loans or grants to eligible students with settled status who meet residence requirements.
EU, EEA, and Swiss Nationals with UK citizens’ rights (pre-settled/settled status, or Irish citizens covered by the Common Travel Area) may also qualify for government student finance. Eligibility depends on residency status.
Islands Students
Students from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man are entitled to different support arrangements. Please check with your funding agency:
- States of Jersey
- States of Guernsey
- Isle of Man Government
Overseas Students
Overseas students can explore funding opportunities via the Oxford Bursaries and Scholarships webpage (see “Other Scholarships” section).
conclusion
The History Ancient and Modern course at Oxford University offers a comprehensive, interdisciplinary study of human civilization spanning 3,000 years. By combining ancient, medieval, and modern perspectives, students gain a deep understanding of historical, social, and cultural developments. With its flexible curriculum, academic rigor, and rich college experience, the course prepares graduates for diverse careers in research, education, policy, and beyond, making it an ideal choice for those passionate about history and global perspectives.