Ancient History/History

[StColumbofNavron]

I know questions have been asked about these two before, however DS1 has slowly started scrolling through websites. He is 100% set on history and prefers antiquity and medieval but has a geographical bias in that he would like as many options as possible to study things like the Mongols, Mesopotamia, Persia etc. The few Ancient History courses that he has looked at so far seem focussed on Romans and Greeks and cover the sort of thing he is after in relation to them.

He is aware he will likely have to do some modern etc as core modules on most of the degrees but he would just like some guidance in terms of places that may have specialisms in this sort of area (he knows not everything runs every year).

He is actually only year 11 but came to me to ask as he hasn’t been able to find Ancient History A level offered anywhere so he is keen that he can focus that way a little at uni.

He is able and I think would probably try for Oxbridge.

I’m a modernist so rather out of my depth here.

Is he able to study Classical Civilisation to A level?
He may be able to choose to study modules from other courses when at university - so if he did choose Ancient History, there may be the option to study modules from other courses if they cover other topics he is interested in. That way he wouldn’t have to study modern history if it doesn’t interest him.

University of Southampton includes a wide range of options on the Ancient History degree: www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/ancient-history-degree-ba#main The maritime archaeology modules cover Mesopotamia, I think.

@Hagridsbeard25 yes, Classical Civilisation is on the list. He is really frustrated with the A level history available locally as he says almost all are repeating some part of GCSE or things he has covered elsewhere. I also remember A Level history covering some not so interesting and repetitive subjects, but it’s so much better at degree, but also so much choice.

DD did Class Civ, History and Eng Lit ALevels. Just note that Class Civ is 50% Greek & Roman classical literature, which may not be his thing.

DD struggled to decide between Ancient and Modern, or Straight History. They are one of those subjects that vary immensely between universities. Some and very narrow in focus/timespans, others span the entire spectrum, and some History courses actually give a wider range of options, including Ancient History, than some specific Ancient History courses.

Oxford or Cambridge are obviously great, but it is worth doing a good trawl of options at other universities to see which suit your DC's specific requirements.

Thanks @BigWoollyJumpers, I think 'trawl' is the optimum word.

Many moons ago I did Ancient History and Egyptology at UCL - focussed mainly in early Mesopotamia.

Was a BRILLIANT uni for Ancient History. Round the corner from the BM, the Petrie museum.

UCL is amazing but we live about 25 mins by bus away so he won’t get the chance to move away - though it’s possible he might consider the ability to really study what he wants more appealing.

If aiming for Oxford then he might consider CAAH (Classical Archaeology and Ancient History) - History and Class Civ A levels would be a good grounding for that. Has he looked at the course?

Alternatively there's AMH (Ancient and Modern History). With both, there are numerous compulsory papers in the first year but a much broader spread thereafter.

My DS2 is studying Medieval History at St Andrews, they have a very broad range of history degrees and modules available and is ranked highly for History.
DS2 has done modules in Ancient history, Middle Eastern History, Early Modern History, Medieval History and also Eng lit and Art History (four year degree gives a lot of scope for variety and joint degrees) . He's definitely covered Mesopotamia etc and Persia (they are big on Persia in St Andrews and you can study the Persian Language). His love is Byzantium.
He has enjoyed himself so far and hopes to stay on for a Masters.

My child has applied to do ancient history and classic civilisation at Circenester college for a levels

To summarise my post ; you can do a joint degree in Ancient and Middle Eastern History at St Andrews.

@Wbeezer I am trying to play down my love of St Andrew’s for fear of putting him off.

My son did Ancient History A level but I think more sixth forms offer classical civilisation. Definitely worth some research but it depends where you live. The reason my son went to the sixth form college he did was because of the history options - they offered three different periods/options - two history and the ancient history.

Your son may also find this interesting: www.theclassicslibrary.com/jsst-classical-civilisation-and-ancient-history-summer-school/

Sadly didn't happen for ds due to covid (I think they did a virtual version but he didn't want to do that)

Oh, I’ll pass that on

@StColumbofNavron that is a risk! Your DS would be daft not to consider it with his interests though.

Durham used to have a fantastic Classics and Ancient History department. Worth a look

@Wbeezer totally! I’ll be canny with my suggestion.

Cardiff have a great Ancient History and Archaeology department. Lots of different modules, some obvs are compulsory (I had to do something about Britain. It was a long time ago but I remember castles and learning about ancient Cardiff which was pretty cool) I did both subjects so got to go on a dig and work in the museum. I appreciate that doesn't sound like your DS's train of thought, but I just thought I'd mention it in case his focus changes. The digs ranged from all different time periods and countries, so something for everyone

Not just Cardiff but I think Swansea too. And ds applied to Glasgow and Exeter for ancient history (but opted for a different subject in the end). I don't think either course was just Romans/Greeks but I can't remember the details now.

Liverpool used to do some pretty esoteric stuff too about the Akkadians and suchlike and you could learn Akkadian.

Cardiff looks like his dream course to be honest and some of my arms length colleagues have suggested it along with UCL.

I tried to gently nudge DS2 to do archaeology modules but he was having none of it.
Cardiff is a good city to be a student I think, i have friends who live there and work in the uni.

Yes, he isn’t (yet) open to archaeology modules either. He is planning a competitive professional services type graduate big 4 career so he also rightly or wrongly needs to think about that with where he goes. Though I am hopeful that many law firms/consultants etc will be living their widening access schemes and looking wider that a small group of unis for their talent by the time he graduates.

My son has just graduated from St Andrews with a general history degree but started off with ancient history. He continued with a mix of ancient and modern modules as really enjoyed both. There was plenty of scope to mix and match. He secured a graduate position with a big 4 company it was his first day today.
Good luck to your ds there are so many exciting history courses out there I am sure he will find one that suits his needs.

@Alittlewornout I will do a dance around the house if he chooses to apply to St A 😀

Whatever he opts for, it’s entirely possible he might discover something else he likes. I planned my degree out and was going to specialise in one thing and then I discovered Russian history so who knows.