Ancient History/ English Literature

Ancient history and English literature is a pairing that brings together two of the most enduring traditions of humanistic inquiry. Ancient history opens up the worlds of Greece, Rome, and the wider Mediterranean between roughly the eighth century before the common era and the fifth century of the common era, a period that produced the foundations of Western philosophy, political thought, law, and much of the literary tradition that followed. English literature, meanwhile, traces the development of writing in English from the medieval period to the present, attending to how language, form, and meaning intersect across centuries of human experience.

At the University of Glasgow, this part-time degree offers you flexibility in how you engage with both disciplines. In ancient history, you will study the history and culture of the ancient Mediterranean world, with the option to learn Latin and ancient Greek if you choose, giving you direct access to texts in their original languages. You will examine political and social history, religion, philosophy, and art across a broad chronological span.

In English literature, you will read closely across genres including poetry, prose fiction, and drama, developing interpretive skills and an understanding of the literary traditions that have shaped English-language writing. The degree includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to study in an international environment and to experience both disciplines as they are taught elsewhere.

You will develop close reading skills, the ability to evaluate evidence and construct sustained arguments, and a genuinely broad cultural perspective. These capabilities are valued across many professional contexts that require careful thinking and clear communication.

Graduates from this combination work in education, publishing, journalism, the civil service, heritage, law, the arts, and academic research. Postgraduate study in classics, ancient history, English literature, or related fields is a common path for those who wish to specialise or pursue academic careers.