with the ba ancient history and history go on a journey through one's favourite historical periods, from ancient greece through medieval europe to cold war britain, with highly regarded and award-winning teaching staff. this course enables students to study the classical world alongside modern history. ancient history gives them an understanding of the cultures and societies of the greek and roman worlds, a period spanning from 2000 bc to around 600 ad, while modern history focuses on the era from the crusades to the 1960s.

students will be encouraged to gain direct experience of ancient sites through independent travel, for which they can apply for an annual travel bursary. they can also apply to study at the british school at athens and the british school at rome, which both offer summer school opportunities to university of reading students.

work placements are encouraged and both departments benefit from a dedicated placements officer to help with cv writing and letters of application. history's discovering archives and collections module is ideal if students are interested in a career in libraries or archives, while going public: presenting the past, planning the future provides an insight into heritage and museum work. the university's museums also provide a number of voluntary placements.