BA (Hons)

Ancient, Classical and Medieval Studies

VV14

Our Ancient, Classical and Medieval Studies degree takes you on a highly engaging and fascinating adventure through time. From the Bronze Age to the Crusades and beyond, it’s an absorbing three-year journey exploring the archaeology and history of the British Isles, continental Europe and the Mediterranean.

Person in armour looking across to a group

Course overview

The course has a multidisciplinary approach to the human past, and is led by expert staff from one of Winchester’s leading teaching and research units, The School of History Archaeology and Philosophy. You can study subjects in Archaeology, Classical Studies and History that cover the Bronze Age to the medieval period, using the stimulating and engaging teaching materials.

Year 1 provides a sound foundation in the theory and practice of both history and archaeology and places the ancient and medieval worlds within the broad sweep of human history, along with study skills, fieldwork methods, sources of information, and material culture.
In Year 2, you focus on the history and archaeology of specific periods and/or places and address a range of themes. You will consider theory and the past and hone research skills in preparation for a dissertation. Year 2 periods covered may include late prehistoric Europe, the Greek world, Roman to Medieval Britain, classical Rome, the Vikings, Muslim Iberia, the Hundred Years War or the golden age of Spain; themes may include the anthropology and archaeology of death, the archaeology of religion, the Crusades, or slavery; there are also fieldtrip modules in both history and archaeology.
In Year 3, you will undertake a dissertation which may include both archaeological and historical evidence. Public Archaeology and Careers is concerned with the wider role of heritage and archaeology in the world and how graduates fit in to it. In Puzzling the Past you will consider archaeological debates. Other Year 3 modules may include the Celts, gladiators and the Roman games, Alfred the Great, battlefield archaeology, Viking England, and Minoans and Mycenaeans. Comparative studies may cover topics such as witchcraft, chivalry, computer games, medieval warfare, and the classical world on film.

 

What you need to know

Course start date

September

Location

Winchester campus

Course length

  • 3 years full-time
  • 6 years part-time

Apply

VV14

Typical offer

104-120 points

Fees

From £9,250 pa

Course features

  • Choose from a wide range of themes and periods
  • Develop deep theoretical and cultural knowledge sought after by employers in many industries
  • Combine historical and archaeological evidence in your studies to achieve a broad and fulfilling view of the past
  • Explore the rich archaeological and historical heritage of Wessex

Course details

Placement

If you decide to complete an optional History Work/Volunteering Placement it may incur travel costs, which are dependent upon where you undertake the placement (if local it may be zero, but costs go up when public transport is used to travel). You will have a say in where their placement is located.

Field Trips

You will have the option to participate in either a four day-long Archaeology or History field trip module in your second year of study. You can also take the Classical Studies summer school in either Greece or Rome between your second and third year (additional costs apply).

Study Abroad

Our BA (Hons) Ancient, Classical and Medieval Studies course provides an opportunity for you to study abroad in the United States of America (USA).

For more information see our Study Abroad section.

Learning and Teaching

Our aim is to shape 'confident learners' by enabling you to develop the skills needed to excel in your studies here and as well as onto further studies or the employment market.

You are taught primarily through a combination of lectures and seminars, allowing opportunities to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups.

In addition to the formally scheduled contact time such as lectures and seminars etc.), you are encouraged to access academic support from staff within the course team and the wide range of services available to you within the University.

Independent learning

Over the duration of your course, you will be expected to develop independent and critical learning, progressively building confidence and expertise through independent and collaborative research, problem-solving and analysis with the support of staff. You take responsibility for your own learning and are encouraged to make use of the wide range of available learning resources available.

Overall workload

Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning and assessment activity.

While your actual contact hours may depend on the optional modules you select, the following information gives an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities at each level of the course.

Year 1 (Level 4): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*

Teaching, learning and assessment: 216 hours

Independent learning: 984 hours

Year 2 (Level 5): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*

Teaching, learning and assessment: 228 hours

Independent learning: 972 hours

Year 3 (Level 6): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*

Teaching, learning and assessment: 192 hours

Independent learning: 1008 hours

*Please note these are indicative hours for the course.

Teaching hours

All class based teaching takes places between 9am – 6pm, Monday to Friday during term time. Wednesday afternoons are kept free from timetabled teaching for personal study time and for sports clubs and societies to train, meet and play matches. There may be some occasional learning opportunities (for example, an evening guest lecturer or performance) that take places outside of these hours for which you will be given forewarning.

The University library is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Assessment

Our validated courses may adopt a range of means of assessing your learning. An indicative, and not necessarily comprehensive, list of assessment types you might encounter includes essays, portfolios, supervised independent work, presentations, written exams, or practical performances.
We ensure all students have an equal opportunity to achieve module learning outcomes. As such, where appropriate and necessary, students with recognised disabilities may have alternative assignments set that continue to test how successfully they have met the module's learning outcomes. Further details on assessment types used on the course you are interested in can be found on the course page, by attending an Open Day or Open Evening, or contacting our teaching staff.

Percentage of the course assessed by coursework

The assessment balance between examination and coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessed by different assessment modes is as follows:

Year 1 (Level 4)*:

58% coursework
38% written exams
4% practical exams

Year 2 (Level 5)*:

76% coursework
19% written exams
5% practical exams

Year 3 (Level 6)*:

57% coursework
25% written exams
18% practical exams

*Please note these are indicative percentages and modes for the programme.

Feedback

We are committed to providing timely and appropriate feedback to you on your academic progress and achievement in order to enable you to reflect on your progress and plan your academic and skills development effectively. You are also encouraged to seek additional feedback from your course tutors.

Modules

Please note the modules listed are correct at the time of publishing. The University cannot guarantee the availability of all modules listed and modules may be subject to change. The University will notify applicants of any changes made to the core modules listed. For further information please refer to winchester.ac.uk/termsandconditions

Modules

Introduction to Archaeology

This module forms an introduction to the principles and methods upon which the study of archaeology is based and explores a history of the development of the discipline. No prior knowledge of the subject is assumed or expected. The philosophical distinctiveness of the subject is outlined, and the various sub-divisions within archaeology (e.g. environmental archaeology, experimental archaeology) are examined. This leads on to an assessment of the methods of establishing chronological sequences in archaeology, and an overview of the methods to be examined in more detail in later modules. These thematic lectures are buttressed by the use of sessions looking at case studies of recent research projects within the Department in order to help draw together and assist understanding of the key themes.

The Archaeology of the Historic Period

This module provides a brief conspectus of the historical period from the emergence of civilizations through to the present day. The world context is emphasised and the major developments in each period will be explored. The module is illustrated throughout by case studies through which students can appreciate how ideas about these cultures have developed from the beginnings of antiquarian archaeology to the application of modern theory. Key conceptual issues, such as exchange/trade, colonisation, political, religious and social developments, will be explained and discussed in relation to specific examples.

World Prehistory

This module provides an introduction to the development of humans from hominid origins to the writing. Therefore, although the module has a single chronological starting point (c 7.5 my BP), it has a variable end point depending upon the part of the world discussed. The module addresses the main stages of human evolution, starting with the separation of the Hominidae (the human family) from the Pongidae (the apes), then the transition from Australopithecines to Homo and eventually to modern humans. It then examines the origins and development of crucial human processes such as technology, social systems, art, farming and urbanisation, and the significance of their independent invention in different parts of the world. The student will gain a greater awareness of the main sequences of human development on a world scale, and understand how the prehistory of the British Isles is connected to both continental Europe and the wider world.

Introduction to Material Culture

Archaeologists deal with things. These things (material culture or artefacts) are a way of understanding the lives of the humans who made them. This course presents you with a detailed background to the main categories of material culture that you might encounter on any archaeological sites; these items include: stone tools, pottery, coins, metalwork etc. You will learn about the technology behind these artefacts, and crucially how things that we make do not just have a simple function, but also encode important symbolic information as well. As the majority of archaeological material seen by the public is displayed within museums, you will also consider how material culture is displayed and presented within museums, and the choices made by curators about this. By the end of this course you will look afresh at the way humans make and give meaning to even the most mundane and everyday items.

Case Studies 1: Sources and Approaches in History

This module introduces students to the core skills required to study history successfully at degree level. History makes sense of the past by analysing surviving evidence. Such evidence is either secondary, which requires in-depth critical reading, or primary or original, which demands critical contextualisation and analysis. All such evidence has uses to the historian, not necessarily obvious, and all contains partiality, which historians are trained to overcome. Working in small groups with one staff member per group, there will be a balance between developing awareness of these overarching core skills (such as conducting research and mastering referencing conventions) and a case study where students work on academic reading connected to a particular topic. This intensive small group environment will help students adjust to the university environment and provide a venue for delivering other transitional and transferrable skills.

Case Studies 2: Independent Study

This module builds upon Sources & Approaches in History, further developing students’ skills as independent researchers, and giving students an opportunity to do research of a critical nature, using both primary and secondary sources. Continuing to work in the same Case Study groups and topic as they did in Sources & Approaches, students undertake an individual research project, on a topic negotiated with a tutor. In addition, there will be an element of group work as students combine their individual findings, presenting on a subtopic of the module’s overarching theme. As this module concentrates upon developing skills there is an emphasis on training for future employment. Students will be expected to engage with careers service activities in semester 2 and to report their activities in a reflective journal.

Optional Modules
  • Introduction to the Classical Greek World - 15 Credits
  • Introduction to the Classical Roman World - 15 Credits
  • Early Medieval Britain - 15 Credits
  • Europe in the Central Middle Ages - 15 Credits
  • English History, 1272-1500 - 15 Credits
  • Europe 1500-1789 - 15 Credits

Optional

Introduction to Archaeology

This module forms an introduction to the principles and methods upon which the study of archaeology is based and explores a history of the development of the discipline. No prior knowledge of the subject is assumed or expected. The philosophical distinctiveness of the subject is outlined, and the various sub-divisions within archaeology (e.g. environmental archaeology, experimental archaeology) are examined. This leads on to an assessment of the methods of establishing chronological sequences in archaeology, and an overview of the methods to be examined in more detail in later modules. These thematic lectures are buttressed by the use of sessions looking at case studies of recent research projects within the Department in order to help draw together and assist understanding of the key themes.

The Archaeology of the Historic Period

This module provides a brief conspectus of the historical period from the emergence of civilizations through to the present day. The world context is emphasised and the major developments in each period will be explored. The module is illustrated throughout by case studies through which students can appreciate how ideas about these cultures have developed from the beginnings of antiquarian archaeology to the application of modern theory. Key conceptual issues, such as exchange/trade, colonisation, political, religious and social developments, will be explained and discussed in relation to specific examples.

World Prehistory

This module provides an introduction to the development of humans from hominid origins to the writing. Therefore, although the module has a single chronological starting point (c 7.5 my BP), it has a variable end point depending upon the part of the world discussed. The module addresses the main stages of human evolution, starting with the separation of the Hominidae (the human family) from the Pongidae (the apes), then the transition from Australopithecines to Homo and eventually to modern humans. It then examines the origins and development of crucial human processes such as technology, social systems, art, farming and urbanisation, and the significance of their independent invention in different parts of the world. The student will gain a greater awareness of the main sequences of human development on a world scale, and understand how the prehistory of the British Isles is connected to both continental Europe and the wider world.

Introduction to Material Culture

Archaeologists deal with things. These things (material culture or artefacts) are a way of understanding the lives of the humans who made them. This course presents you with a detailed background to the main categories of material culture that you might encounter on any archaeological sites; these items include: stone tools, pottery, coins, metalwork etc. You will learn about the technology behind these artefacts, and crucially how things that we make do not just have a simple function, but also encode important symbolic information as well. As the majority of archaeological material seen by the public is displayed within museums, you will also consider how material culture is displayed and presented within museums, and the choices made by curators about this. By the end of this course you will look afresh at the way humans make and give meaning to even the most mundane and everyday items.

Case Studies 1: Sources and Approaches in History

This module introduces students to the core skills required to study history successfully at degree level. History makes sense of the past by analysing surviving evidence. Such evidence is either secondary, which requires in-depth critical reading, or primary or original, which demands critical contextualisation and analysis. All such evidence has uses to the historian, not necessarily obvious, and all contains partiality, which historians are trained to overcome. Working in small groups with one staff member per group, there will be a balance between developing awareness of these overarching core skills (such as conducting research and mastering referencing conventions) and a case study where students work on academic reading connected to a particular topic. This intensive small group environment will help students adjust to the university environment and provide a venue for delivering other transitional and transferrable skills.

Case Studies 2: Independent Study

This module builds upon Sources & Approaches in History, further developing students’ skills as independent researchers, and giving students an opportunity to do research of a critical nature, using both primary and secondary sources. Continuing to work in the same Case Study groups and topic as they did in Sources & Approaches, students undertake an individual research project, on a topic negotiated with a tutor. In addition, there will be an element of group work as students combine their individual findings, presenting on a subtopic of the module’s overarching theme. As this module concentrates upon developing skills there is an emphasis on training for future employment. Students will be expected to engage with careers service activities in semester 2 and to report their activities in a reflective journal.

Optional Modules
  • Introduction to the Classical Greek World - 15 Credits
  • Introduction to the Classical Roman World - 15 Credits
  • Early Medieval Britain - 15 Credits
  • Europe in the Central Middle Ages - 15 Credits
  • English History, 1272-1500 - 15 Credits
  • Europe 1500-1789 - 15 Credits

Modules

History in Practice I

History in Practice I introduces students to some of the most influential and significant developments that have shaped the ways in which historians think and write about the past. It examines the changing meaning and construction of history from Herodotus to the twenty-first century, as well as how recent theoretical developments – such as post-modernity, gender studies, and post-colonialism – have challenged our understandings of the Ancient, Medieval and Modern periods. It provides students with an opportunity to think reflexively about the nature of the historical enterprise, encouraging them to draw on the content of their other second-year modules. In this, students will consider their own identity as a historian, and how this will inform their work through the rest of their degree.

Thinking Through Theory

All humanities subjects are grounded in theory. These bodies of theory may or may not be explicitly stated, but you use them, whether you are aware of them or not. It is easiest to think of theory as the set of tools that you can use to ‘fix’ or understand a problem. This module considers contemporary theory in archaeology, social anthropology and biological anthropology, drawing on areas of social and cultural theory that have been relevant to archaeologists and anthropologists. You will be encouraged to read and discuss a range of key historical texts and case studies will be used to demonstrate how the theories have been applied in recent archaeological or anthropological research. In this way, you will be able to understand the appropriateness of theories which may be relevant to your research interests and to gain a wider appreciation of how we think through problems and issues.

Optional Modules
  • Geographic Information Systems - 15 Credits
  • Geomatic and Remote sensing - 15 Credits
  • Human Bioarchaeology - 15 Credits
  • Early Prehistoric Europe - 15 Credits
  • Later Prehistoric Europe - 15 Credits
  • The Greek World - 15 Credits
  • Geoarchaeology - 15 Credits
  • Medieval Archaeology - 15 Credits
  • Archaeology and Anthropology of Death of Burial - 15 Credits
  • Archaeology Field Trip - 15 Credits
  • The Archaeology of Religion and Ritual - 15 Credits
  • Community Volunteer Placement - 15 Credits
  • The Glory of Athens and the Shadow of Sparta - 15 Credits
  • Rome: the Rise of the Eternal City - 15 Credits
  • The Symposium: Ancient Greek Drinking Culture - 15 Credits
  • Alexander the Great: in his Own Time - 15 Credits
  • Imperial Rome: Caesar and Augustus - 15 Credits
  • The Culture of Neoclassicism - 15 Credits
  • Food and Drink in Medieval and Early Modern England - 15 Credits
  • The Crusades - 15 Credits
  • The Age of the Vikings - 15 Credits
  • The Reign of King John - 15 Credits
  • The Investiture Contest - 15 Credits
  • Post-Carolingian Rulership - 15 Credits
  • The Renaissance Court - 15 Credits
  • Societies at War: England and France, 1189-1529 - 15 Credits
  • The First English Empire c.1100-c.1350 - 15 Credits
  • Period Study: An Introduction to the Archaeology of Roman and Medieval Britain - 15 Credits

Optional

History in Practice I

History in Practice I introduces students to some of the most influential and significant developments that have shaped the ways in which historians think and write about the past. It examines the changing meaning and construction of history from Herodotus to the twenty-first century, as well as how recent theoretical developments – such as post-modernity, gender studies, and post-colonialism – have challenged our understandings of the Ancient, Medieval and Modern periods. It provides students with an opportunity to think reflexively about the nature of the historical enterprise, encouraging them to draw on the content of their other second-year modules. In this, students will consider their own identity as a historian, and how this will inform their work through the rest of their degree.

Thinking Through Theory

All humanities subjects are grounded in theory. These bodies of theory may or may not be explicitly stated, but you use them, whether you are aware of them or not. It is easiest to think of theory as the set of tools that you can use to ‘fix’ or understand a problem. This module considers contemporary theory in archaeology, social anthropology and biological anthropology, drawing on areas of social and cultural theory that have been relevant to archaeologists and anthropologists. You will be encouraged to read and discuss a range of key historical texts and case studies will be used to demonstrate how the theories have been applied in recent archaeological or anthropological research. In this way, you will be able to understand the appropriateness of theories which may be relevant to your research interests and to gain a wider appreciation of how we think through problems and issues.

Optional Modules
  • Geographic Information Systems - 15 Credits
  • Geomatic and Remote sensing - 15 Credits
  • Human Bioarchaeology - 15 Credits
  • Early Prehistoric Europe - 15 Credits
  • Later Prehistoric Europe - 15 Credits
  • The Greek World - 15 Credits
  • Geoarchaeology - 15 Credits
  • Medieval Archaeology - 15 Credits
  • Archaeology and Anthropology of Death of Burial - 15 Credits
  • Archaeology Field Trip - 15 Credits
  • The Archaeology of Religion and Ritual - 15 Credits
  • Community Volunteer Placement - 15 Credits
  • The Glory of Athens and the Shadow of Sparta - 15 Credits
  • Rome: the Rise of the Eternal City - 15 Credits
  • The Symposium: Ancient Greek Drinking Culture - 15 Credits
  • Alexander the Great: in his Own Time - 15 Credits
  • Imperial Rome: Caesar and Augustus - 15 Credits
  • The Culture of Neoclassicism - 15 Credits
  • Food and Drink in Medieval and Early Modern England - 15 Credits
  • The Crusades - 15 Credits
  • The Age of the Vikings - 15 Credits
  • The Reign of King John - 15 Credits
  • The Investiture Contest - 15 Credits
  • Post-Carolingian Rulership - 15 Credits
  • The Renaissance Court - 15 Credits
  • Societies at War: England and France, 1189-1529 - 15 Credits
  • The First English Empire c.1100-c.1350 - 15 Credits
  • Period Study: An Introduction to the Archaeology of Roman and Medieval Britain - 15 Credits

Modules

Extended Independent Study in Ancient, Classical and Medieval Studies

This double module is a c. 10,000 word dissertation for students studying on the BA Ancient, Classical and Medieval Studies programme. It enables students to apply their knowledge of archaeological and historical theory and practice, in order to produce a piece of independent interdisciplinary research which shows clarity of expression, logical argument and creative thought. The dissertation content/subject matter must reflect their pathway. This is an Independent Study module.

Puzzling the Past

This module, together with the final year project, is the culmination of the Archaeology degree. It provides students the opportunity to consider the multiplicity of archaeological interpretation on the basis of differing lines of evidence and varied approaches of study. Therefore 3-5 archaeological controversies are discussed with the aim of examining how data can be interpreted in various ways, each one of which might be equally valid. Case studies will depend upon staff availability but might include the ‘Younger Fill’/human landscape degradation debate on the interpretation of Late Holocene sediments in the Mediterranean; diffusion models to explain the change from Mesolithic to Neolithic society in Europe; chronologies of colonisation (of for example the Americas and Australia, and of Europe by early forms of Homo and Homo sapiens); origins, causes and effects of diseases in the archaeological and historical record and dating the eruption of Thera and the end of the Minoan civilisation and mid-Holocene vegetation change.

Optional Modules
  • The Celts - 15 Credits
  • Roman Wessex - 15 Credits
  • Later Prehistoric Wessex - 15 Credits
  • The Archaeology of Winchester - 15 Credits
  • Caribbean Peoples and Cultures - 15 Credits
  • Archaeology of Buddhism - 15 Credits
  • The Archaeology of the Southern Caucasus - 15 Credits
  • Medieval Religion and Belief - 15 Credits
  • Battlefield Archaeology - 15 Credits
  • Minoans and Mycenaeans: the Greek Bronze Age - 15 Credits
  • Intangible Heritage - 15 Credits
  • Games and Gladiators - 15 Credits
  • Murder in the Ancient City - 15 Credits
  • Alfred the Great - 15 Credits
  • The Wars of the Roses - 15 Credits
  • Civil War and Revolution in the British Isles - 15 Credits
  • Supernatural and Witchcraft Beliefs - 15 Credits
  • The Monstrous Regiment: Gender and Authority in Early Modern Europe - 15 Credits
  • Chivalry - 15 Credits
  • Medieval Hostageships - 15 Credits
  • Warfare in the Medieval West - 15 Credits
  • The Middle Ages in Computer Games - 15 Credits
  • Public Archaeology and Careers - 15 credits
  • Puzzling the Past - 15 credits
  • Pax Romana: From the Julio-Claudians to the Severans, AD 14-235 - 30 credits

Optional

Extended Independent Study in Ancient, Classical and Medieval Studies

This double module is a c. 10,000 word dissertation for students studying on the BA Ancient, Classical and Medieval Studies programme. It enables students to apply their knowledge of archaeological and historical theory and practice, in order to produce a piece of independent interdisciplinary research which shows clarity of expression, logical argument and creative thought. The dissertation content/subject matter must reflect their pathway. This is an Independent Study module.

Puzzling the Past

This module, together with the final year project, is the culmination of the Archaeology degree. It provides students the opportunity to consider the multiplicity of archaeological interpretation on the basis of differing lines of evidence and varied approaches of study. Therefore 3-5 archaeological controversies are discussed with the aim of examining how data can be interpreted in various ways, each one of which might be equally valid. Case studies will depend upon staff availability but might include the ‘Younger Fill’/human landscape degradation debate on the interpretation of Late Holocene sediments in the Mediterranean; diffusion models to explain the change from Mesolithic to Neolithic society in Europe; chronologies of colonisation (of for example the Americas and Australia, and of Europe by early forms of Homo and Homo sapiens); origins, causes and effects of diseases in the archaeological and historical record and dating the eruption of Thera and the end of the Minoan civilisation and mid-Holocene vegetation change.

Optional Modules
  • The Celts - 15 Credits
  • Roman Wessex - 15 Credits
  • Later Prehistoric Wessex - 15 Credits
  • The Archaeology of Winchester - 15 Credits
  • Caribbean Peoples and Cultures - 15 Credits
  • Archaeology of Buddhism - 15 Credits
  • The Archaeology of the Southern Caucasus - 15 Credits
  • Medieval Religion and Belief - 15 Credits
  • Battlefield Archaeology - 15 Credits
  • Minoans and Mycenaeans: the Greek Bronze Age - 15 Credits
  • Intangible Heritage - 15 Credits
  • Games and Gladiators - 15 Credits
  • Murder in the Ancient City - 15 Credits
  • Alfred the Great - 15 Credits
  • The Wars of the Roses - 15 Credits
  • Civil War and Revolution in the British Isles - 15 Credits
  • Supernatural and Witchcraft Beliefs - 15 Credits
  • The Monstrous Regiment: Gender and Authority in Early Modern Europe - 15 Credits
  • Chivalry - 15 Credits
  • Medieval Hostageships - 15 Credits
  • Warfare in the Medieval West - 15 Credits
  • The Middle Ages in Computer Games - 15 Credits
  • Public Archaeology and Careers - 15 credits
  • Puzzling the Past - 15 credits
  • Pax Romana: From the Julio-Claudians to the Severans, AD 14-235 - 30 credits

Entry requirements

104-120 points

Our offers are typically made using UCAS tariff points to allow you to include a range of level 3 qualifications and as a guide, the requirements for this course are equivalent to:

  • A-Levels: BCC-BBB from 3 A Levels or equivalent grade combinations (e.g. BBB is comparable to ABC in terms of tariff points)
  • BTEC/CTEC: DMM from BTEC or Cambridge Technical (CTEC) qualifications
  • International Baccalaureate: To include a minimum of 2 Higher Level certificates at grade H4
  • T Level: Merit in a T Level

 

Additionally, we accept tariff points achieved for many other qualifications, such as the Access to Higher Education Diploma, Scottish Highers, UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma and WJEC Applied Certificate/Diploma, to name a few. We also accept tariff points from smaller level 3 qualifications, up to a maximum of 32, from qualifications like the Extended Project (EP/EPQ), music or dance qualifications. To find out more about UCAS tariff points, including what your qualifications are worth, please visit UCAS.

In addition to level 3 study, the following GCSE’s are required:

GCSE English Language at grade 4 or C, or higher. Functional Skills at level 2 is accepted as an alternative, however Key Skills qualifications are not. If you hold another qualification, please get in touch and we will advise further.

If you will be over the age of 21 years of age at the beginning of your undergraduate study, you will be considered as a mature student. This means our offer may be different and any work or life experiences you have will be considered together with any qualifications you hold. UCAS have further information about studying as a mature student on their website which may be of interest.

International points required

If English is not your first language, a formal English language test will most likely be required and you will need to achieve the following:

  • IELTS Academic at 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all four components (for year 1 entry)
  • We also accept other English language qualifications, such as IELTS Indicator, Pearson PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and TOEFL iBT.

If you are living outside of the UK or Europe, you can find out more about how to join this course by contacting our International Recruitment Team via our International Apply Pages.

2024 Course Tuition Fees

  UK / Channel Islands /
Isle of Man / Republic of Ireland 

International

Year 1 £9,250 £16,700
Year 2 £9,250 £16,700
Year 3 £9,250 £16,700
Total £27,750 £50,100
Optional Sandwich Year* £1,850 £3,340
Total with Sandwich Year £29,600 £53,440

Additional tuition fee information

If you are a UK student starting your degree in September 2024, the first year will cost you £9,250**. Based on this fee level, the indicative fees for a three-year degree would be £27,750 for UK students.

Remember, you don’t have to pay any of this upfront if you are able to get a tuition fee loan from the UK Government to cover the full cost of your fees each year.

UK Part-Time fees are calculated on a pro rata basis of the full-time fee for a 120 credit course. The fee for a single credit is £77.08 and a 15 credit module is £1,156. Part-time students can take up to a maximum 90 credits per year, so the maximum fee in a given year will be the government permitted maximum fee of £6,935.

International part-time fees are calculated on a pro rata basis of the full-time fee for a 120 credit course. The fee for a single credit is £139.14 and a 15 credit module is £2,087.

* Please note that not all courses offer an optional sandwich year.

**The University of Winchester will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year.

Additional costs

As one of our students all of your teaching and assessments are included in your tuition fees, including, lectures/guest lectures and tutorials, seminars, laboratory sessions and specialist teaching facilities. You will also have access to a wide range of student support and IT services.

There might be additional costs you may encounter whilst studying. The following highlights the mandatory and optional costs for this course:

Mandatory

Printing and Binding
The University is pleased to offer our students a printing allowance of £5 each academic year. This will print around 125 A4 (black and white) pages. If students wish to print more, printer credit can be topped up by the student. The University and Student Union are champions of sustainability and we ask all our students to consider the environmental impact before printing.

Books
Some modules require students to have access to books with an approximate cost of £100 if bought new over the course of a year (but texts can often be purchased at considerably reduced rates second hand). Mandatory modules might also require some core texts. Indicative cost: £150 per academic year.

Optional

Field trip
Students will have the option to participate in a three day-long residential archaeological field trip module in their second year of study. Indicative cost: £150. For the week-long History Fieldtrip in Year 2 - costs vary depending on location and number of students going on the trip. Indicative costs: £300-£700.

Dissertation work
Students working on dissertations in Year 3 may incur costs (mainly travel) of visiting archives, dependent upon the specific nature of the dissertation and availability of online resources for a specific subject. This would typically involve either travel to a local archive (e.g. Southampton, Portsmouth or further afield if the student chooses to study a locality away from Winchester) or a national archive, usually in London (TNA, British Library, Women's Library, etc.). If the dissertation work is based in Winchester then costs will be far less.

Placement
If students decide to complete an optional History Work/Volunteering Placement it may incur travel costs, which are dependent upon where the student undertakes the placement (if local it may be zero, but costs go up when public transport is used to travel). Students will have a say in where their placement is located. Indicative costs: £0 - £300 dependent on location of placement and number of visits required.

SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES AND AWARDS

We have a variety of scholarship and bursaries available to support you financially with the cost of your course. To see if you’re eligible, please see our Scholarships and Awards.

CAREER PROSPECTS

Graduates have entered fulfilling historical and archaeological careers as teachers, in museums, heritage sites, archives and local authorities. However, the programme also provides a wide range of skills that are highly relevant to a number of other careers, such as conservation, education and the civil service. Our graduates are highly sought after by employers in all industries, who value their deep theoretical and cultural knowledge.

The University of Winchester ranks in the top 10 in the UK for graduates in employment and further study according to the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021, HESA.

Pre-approved for a Masters

If you study a Bachelor Honours degree with us, you will be pre-approved to start a Masters degree at Winchester. To be eligible, you will need to apply by the end of March in the final year of your degree and meet the entry requirements of your chosen Masters degree.

OUR CAREERS SERVICE

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