Ancient History and Philosophy

Ancient history and philosophy is a combination that brings together the rigorous study of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds with the oldest and most fundamental of the intellectual disciplines. Ancient history asks what life was like in the civilisations that laid the foundations of Western culture, exploring periods from the emergence of Greek city-states in the eighth century BCE through the Roman empire to its collapse in the fifth century CE. Philosophy traces the origins of systematic inquiry into knowledge, reality, ethics and justice, much of it in the same ancient world you will be studying historically.

At the University of St Andrews you will engage with ancient history across a wide geographical canvas, from the Mediterranean and the Near East to the Persian Gulf and the edges of Rome's northern frontier. You will work with primary sources, including literary texts, inscriptions and archaeological evidence, developing the skills of critical historical analysis. The philosophy strand will introduce you to ancient philosophy in its own right, as well as to modern philosophical questions in metaphysics, epistemology, ethics and political philosophy.

The programme runs over four years full time and includes a year abroad, giving you international academic experience.

Graduates of ancient history and philosophy are valued across a wide range of careers. The analytical rigour, attention to evidence and ability to construct complex arguments developed across both disciplines are transferable to law, the civil service, journalism, finance, management consultancy, cultural heritage, education and academia. Postgraduate study in ancient history, classical studies, philosophy, archaeology, or the history of ideas is a natural further route for those who wish to develop specialist expertise.