Ancient History/ English Literature

Ancient history and English literature are disciplines that share a deep concern with how the past speaks to the present through texts, and how the interpretation of those texts shapes understanding across time. Ancient history takes you into the political, social, and cultural worlds of Greece, Rome, and the wider Mediterranean between the eighth century BC and the fifth century AD, working from primary sources that include inscriptions, coins, and archaeological remains as well as literary texts. English literature extends that temporal reach, examining writing from the medieval period through to the contemporary, asking how literature reflects and shapes the societies that produce it.

At the University of Glasgow, this four-year full-time programme allows you to develop expertise in both disciplines while exploring the profound connections between them. Ancient historical study gives you access to the foundational texts and events that shaped Western culture, and English literature shows you how writers across the centuries have returned to those foundations, reimagining them in new contexts. You will have the opportunity to study Latin and ancient Greek if you wish, deepening your ability to read ancient sources in their original languages.

A year abroad is part of the programme, placing you in a different academic environment and, for many students, in direct contact with classical sites and collections that bring the ancient world into new focus.

Graduates pursue careers in journalism, publishing, law, education, the civil service, heritage and museums, and cultural organisations. The combination of historical research skills, literary critical ability, and deep familiarity with the Western cultural tradition is valued in any role where clear thinking and authoritative writing are required. Postgraduate study in classical studies, ancient history, English literature, and comparative literature is a common progression, and many graduates who intend to pursue research or academic careers continue to doctoral level.