Ancient History Program Ranking

In the UK, several prestigious universities offer exceptional Classics and Ancient History programs, renowned for their academic rigor, research excellence, and historical expertise. According to the Guardian University Guide 2015, Cambridge, Oxford, and UCL are the leading institutions in this field, with other universities such as Durham, King's College London, Kent, and Exeter also earning top rankings.

University of Cambridge

Ranked 1st in the Guardian University Guide 2015 for Classics and Ancient History, the University of Cambridge is widely regarded as one of the best institutions globally for studying these disciplines. Cambridge’s Department of Classics is not only one of the oldest in the world but also one of the most distinguished, offering an extensive and rigorous approach to the study of the ancient world.

The department at Cambridge combines a broad range of study areas, including the languages of Ancient Greece and Rome, archaeology, philosophy, history, and ancient art and architecture. The strength of Cambridge’s Classics program lies in its unique combination of traditional scholarship and innovative approaches to the ancient world. Students at Cambridge are encouraged to engage with primary sources in their original languages, with Greek and Latin at the core of the curriculum. This allows for an immersive experience, where students develop both linguistic proficiency and analytical skills to interpret the ancient world in its original context.

The University’s research excellence is evident in the world-class faculty and the cutting-edge research projects being undertaken in the field of Classical Studies. Cambridge is renowned for producing groundbreaking work in various areas of Classics, from ancient philosophy to the archaeology of the Roman Empire. Moreover, the University’s rich resources, including the Cambridge Classics Faculty Library, one of the largest of its kind in the world, and the Fitzwilliam Museum, offer students invaluable access to primary texts and artifacts.

For students aspiring to engage in both academic study and cultural exploration, Cambridge provides an unparalleled environment to immerse themselves in the intellectual traditions of ancient societies. The department’s longstanding reputation for excellence ensures that its graduates are highly sought after, whether they pursue academic careers, work in museums, or engage in education, public policy, or the arts.

University of Oxford

Oxford University, ranked 2nd in the Guardian University Guide 2015, also stands at the pinnacle of Classics and Ancient History education. Like Cambridge, Oxford boasts a rich history of scholarship in these fields, with a curriculum that encompasses both the study of ancient languages and the examination of ancient civilizations through history, literature, philosophy, and art.

Oxford's Faculty of Classics is one of the largest and most diverse in the world, with a broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The faculty offers an intensive approach to the study of Greek and Latin, with a focus on not only the language but also the literature, philosophy, history, and culture of ancient Greece and Rome. Oxford’s distinctive teaching method, the tutorial system, ensures that students receive personalized attention from leading experts in the field. In these tutorials, students engage in one-on-one discussions with tutors, allowing for in-depth exploration of specific topics and fostering critical thinking and independent research.

Research at Oxford is cutting-edge, with faculty members involved in a range of pioneering projects, from the study of ancient manuscripts and papyri to archaeological digs and research in ancient philosophy and political thought. Oxford also offers students access to an impressive array of resources, including the Bodleian Library, one of the oldest and most extensive libraries in Europe, and the Ashmolean Museum, which houses one of the finest collections of ancient artifacts in the world.

Oxford’s longstanding tradition of excellence in Classics has consistently made it a leader in the field. The University provides a challenging yet supportive academic environment, offering students the tools they need to excel as researchers, teachers, and professionals in the world of Classical Studies.

University College London

Ranked 3rd in the Guardian University Guide 2015, University College London (UCL) is another institution that excels in the study of Classics and Ancient History. UCL’s Department of Greek and Latin has built a reputation for combining traditional Classical studies with modern, interdisciplinary approaches to the ancient world.

UCL stands out for its commitment to integrating a variety of academic disciplines into the study of Classics. For example, the department’s approach to the study of ancient societies includes not only the traditional areas of language and literature but also a significant focus on the reception of the classical world in later periods, the development of ancient historiography, and the interaction between ancient cultures and modern societies. UCL also offers a diverse range of postgraduate programs that allow students to specialize in various aspects of Classical studies, including ancient history, archaeology, and philology.

Research at UCL’s Classics department spans a wide array of topics, and the university is known for its interdisciplinary approach. The faculty at UCL is involved in cutting-edge research on ancient texts, art, archaeology, and the social and political structures of ancient civilizations. UCL’s proximity to London’s vast cultural resources, including the British Museum, the Institute of Classical Studies, and the UCL Institute of Archaeology, provides students with unparalleled access to research materials and opportunities to engage with the professional world of Classical scholarship.

UCL’s commitment to fostering a global and inclusive approach to the study of the ancient world makes it an attractive option for students interested in exploring Classics and Ancient History in a modern and dynamic context.

Durham University

Durham University, ranked 4th in both the Guardian University Guide 2015 and the 2014 Times Good University Guide, offers one of the most vibrant and comprehensive Classics programs in the UK. Durham’s Department of Classics and Ancient History is known for its interdisciplinary approach and its wide-ranging research interests, from the study of Greek and Latin literature to the history and archaeology of the ancient Mediterranean world.

Durham's strength lies in its diverse curriculum, which encourages students to explore a wide range of topics within Classics and Ancient History, including the political, social, and cultural dynamics of ancient societies. The university offers a strong focus on research-led teaching, allowing students to engage with the most current scholarship in the field. Durham’s Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 results further attest to the department’s strong academic performance, with a significant proportion of its research being classified as world-leading.

The department is also known for its excellent student support, with a strong emphasis on fostering intellectual curiosity and critical thinking. Students benefit from small class sizes, a close-knit academic community, and a range of resources, including access to Durham’s extensive library collections and research materials.

Durham’s reputation for excellence in Classics and Ancient History, combined with its vibrant academic environment, makes it a top choice for students wishing to pursue a deep and broad understanding of the ancient world.

King’s College London

Ranked 7th in the Guardian University Guide 2015, King’s College London has a long-standing tradition of excellence in teaching and research in the field of Classics and Ancient History. The Department of Classics at King’s College offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, covering everything from ancient languages and texts to the cultural and historical contexts of the ancient world.

King’s College is renowned for its research-led teaching, with faculty members who are internationally recognized for their expertise in various areas of Classical studies. The department has a strong emphasis on the interdisciplinary study of the ancient world, encouraging students to engage with both primary sources and modern theoretical approaches to ancient cultures. King’s College is particularly well known for its focus on ancient philosophy, the history of the Greek and Roman empires, and the impact of the classical world on later cultures.

The department also benefits from its location in London, which provides students with unparalleled access to major cultural and historical institutions, such as the British Museum, Tate Britain, and the London Institute of Classical Studies. These institutions offer rich resources for research and professional development.

University of Kent

Ranked 8th in the Guardian University Guide 2015, the University of Kent offers a strong and dynamic Classics and Ancient History program. The Department of Classical & Archaeological Studies at Kent has earned recognition for its emphasis on both academic rigor and practical application, offering students opportunities to engage with archaeological excavations, fieldwork, and museum collections.

Kent’s program is distinguished by its focus on the intersection of archaeology and Classics, with students being encouraged to engage with ancient material culture in addition to textual analysis. The department’s research strengths include the study of ancient Mediterranean societies, classical archaeology, and the history of ancient civilizations.

The university's commitment to providing students with hands-on learning opportunities, combined with its comprehensive academic curriculum, ensures that graduates of Kent’s Classics program are well-prepared for careers in academia, museums, cultural heritage, and other fields related to the ancient world.

University of Exeter

Exeter University, ranked 5th in the Guardian University Guide 2015, offers a competitive and respected program in Classics and Ancient History. The Department of Archaeology and Classics at Exeter is known for its research excellence and a wide range of study options in Classical languages, literature, history, and archaeology.

Exeter’s program is distinguished by its blend of rigorous academic instruction and practical fieldwork opportunities, particularly in archaeology and ancient history. The department's research strengths include Roman Britain, Greek and Roman art and architecture, and the history of the ancient Mediterranean world.

Exeter’s consistent strong performance in national rankings reflects the quality of its teaching and research, making it an attractive option for students who wish to study Classics and Ancient History in an academically rigorous and supportive environment.