To understand fully the modern world - its culture, language, political systems and people – you need to take a long perspective.

Studying Ancient and Medieval History goes back to the roots of modern civilisation in Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome and the Middle Ages. One aspect of study is social history: how people in the past lived, worked, traded and enjoyed their leisure. 

Times Higher Education ranked the Department of History 1st in the country for its performance in the latest Research Excellence Framework exercise. We are also ranked in the Top 100 for History in the QS World University Rankings 2018. The subject offers the opportunity to study many different forms of history. The chronological sweep is wide, from around 3000BC to 1500AD and you can study Europe, the Mediterranean and Asian civilisations. Studying such a diverse range of societies and cultures enables you to analyse and reflect on the complex relationship between the Ancient and Medieval worlds.