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Bachelor
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Ancient Studies

Study programme

The Bachelor's programme in Ancient Studies investigates the Classical cultures that lie at the roots of our modern world. You will be given an overview of the most important works of art, literature, philosophy, history, and mythology of Antiquity. You can think of fascinating topics such as the pyramids, Greek tragedies, Cleopatra, the epics of Gilgamesh, and Hannibal’s conflict with Rome. You will develop a critical perspective on cultural contact and conflict: between the ancient Greeks, Romans, Persians, and Egyptians, but also between past and present. You will gain insight into the ancient origins of political systems and themes such as identity and migration, which remain relevant far beyond the time of the Persians, Athenians, and Romans. Can our present-day democracy draw any lessons from that of ancient Athens?

Programme composition

The programme kicks off with an overview of Antiquity’s cultural history and its influence through to the present time. You will learn to relate Classical languages, archaeology, and history to each other. In your second and third year, you will further deepen this interdisciplinary knowledge and choose a specialisation. You can specialise in Ancient history, archaeology, or Ancient Near Eastern Studies (which includes learning Akkadian). Dutch speaking students can also specialise in Latin or Greek.

  • The first academic year

    During the first year, you will gain a clear picture of the cultural history of Antiquity, including the continuation of elements from ancient cultures into later periods. Topics that will be discussed are, among others, contacts between the Greek-Roman world and the Near East, antique philosophy, and the question of what makes a certain work “classic” and how this is determined. You will also learn to investigate ancient material and textual sources. In the second semester, you will have the opportunity to get a feel for potential specialisations to pursue after your first year.

  • The second and third academic year

    In your second and third year, the programme will continue with interdisciplinary modules such as ‘Cultural Contact: Mediterranean Connections’, which concerns the interaction between the inhabitants of the Mediterranean region; ‘Religion in Antiquity’; and ‘Lieux de mémoire’, in which you study the way in which places gain importance because people connect stories to them. The second year will conclude with a trip to Sicily, together with students of Archaeology and Classics. Next to your regular courses, you will be able to specialise in Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Greek, Latin, archaeology or ancient history. You will conclude your Bachelor’s degree by writing a thesis in which you demonstrate that you can tackle a topic in an interdisciplinary manner.

Curriculum

Please note: This is the study schedule of the joint programme of the Bachelor's Ancient Studies. View the UvA Course Catalogue for the programmes of the specialisations.

COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • Objects in Context. An Interdisciplinary Perspective on the Ancient World
    6
  • The Classical Canon 1: The Heritage of Antiquity
    6
  • A Cultural History of the Ancient World 1: The Near East and the Greek World
    6
  • Cultural Contact: East and West
    6
  • Historical Sources
    6
  • A Cultural History of the Ancient World 2: The Hellenistic World, Italy and Rome
    6
  • Classics Beyond Antiquity
    6
  • Ancient Philosophy
    6
  • Restricted-choice electives: Orientation Courses
    12
COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • Cultural Contact: Mediterranean Connections
    6
  • Philosophy of the Humanities (ACASA)
    6
  • Religion in Antiquity
    6
  • Past and Present: Critical Approaches to Antiquity and Archaeological Heritage
    6
  • ACASA excursion
    6
  • The Classical Canon 2: The Sociology of Cultural Selection
    6
  • Classical Reception and Creative Writing
    6
COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • Lieux de mémoire
    6
  • Free-choice electives
    30
  • Bachelor Thesis Ancient Studies
    12
Compulsory course
Elective
UvA Course Catalogue: Ancient Studies
  • Minor and electives

    Next to your regular courses and your specialisation, you will also have 30 ECTS worth of space to fill by doing electives, a minor, an internship or by studying abroad.

    Electives

    In theory, any course can be taken as an elective, from courses offered by the Faculty of Humanities to those offered by other faculties or even other universities. Most programmes offer separate electives.

    More on curriculum and electives

    Minor

    A minor is a cohesive teaching programme that consists of 30 ECTS. Doing a minor is not mandatory. However, it may be a good way to prepare for a Master’s programme or for a certain profession.

    View all minors
  • Internship and studying abroad

    The programme allows for you to do an internship and/or to study abroad for a period of time.

    Internship

    You can enrich your study programme as well as your CV by doing an internship. This will allow you to gain experience at an organisation in the field of Ancient Studies and gives you an impression of the job opportunities they offer.

    Read more about doing an internship

    Studying abroad

    The UvA is closely involved with international programmes involved with cooperation and exchange within Europe, the United States and Canada. This gives you the opportunity to study abroad for a period of time. Moreover, this specific programme has exchange agreements with the University of Bologna and the University of Naples.

    Studying abroad
  • Double Bachelor's and Honours programme

    Would you like to be challenged even more? You can choose to do two Bachelor’s degrees or follow the Honours programme.

    Double Bachelor’s in Humanities

    The Faculty of Humanities offers the possibility to obtain a degree from two different Bachelor's programmes. By means of exemptions you can obtain two degrees with a reduced effective workload. The double Bachelor's is intended for motivated students who are looking for an extra challenge and/or a broader perspective during their studies.

    Read more about the Double Bachelor's

    Honours programme

    Highly-motivated students may qualify to take part in a selective Honours programme. This programme accounts for an additional 30 ECTS and will help familiarise you with various other aspects of academic research and prepare you for a subsequent Research Master's degree.

    Read more about the Honours programme
  • Learning and assessment

    Ancient Studies is a three-year Bachelor’s degree. One academic year accounts for 60 ECTS credits that are spread across two semesters, each comprising two 8-week blocks and a 4-week block. As a Bachelor’s student, you are expected to spend an average of 42 hours a week on your studies. Around 14 hours a week are spent attending lectures. The remaining time will be spent on self-study, preparing for lectures, seminars and exams, as well as completing coursework and assignments.

    • During lectures, the lecturer will discuss and explain the literature you read and studied beforehand.
    • In the seminars, you will work closely with your fellow students, collaborating on assignments, presentations and talks.
    • Assessment consists of written or oral exams, presentations, essays, reports and assignments.
‘The course I enjoy teaching the most is Classics Beyond Antiquity. Students make their own video essays and we invite a professional vlogger who explains how to record videos with your phone and how to edit them.’ Martijn Icks, coordinator & lecturer Ancient Studies Read the interview

Accreditation and academic title

The quality of this programme has been positively accredited by the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO). This means that after successful completion of the programme you will receive a recognised Bachelor’s degree in Ancient History (Oudheidwetenschappen) and the title Bachelor of Arts (BA).