Choosing a pathway
The extensive range of modules on offer in the Classics Department at Reading enables you to select your optional modules to pursue your interests as they develop. Our options can be combined flexibly, allowing you to choose your own pathway through our degrees if your interests lie in a particular area.
"One of the things I loved about Classics at Reading was the flexibility of the course and the wide range of modules on offer. At undergraduate, you can choose from a variety of Classics modules - such as ancient drama, literature, or history-based subjects - or modules from outside the Department."
In each year you will study a combination of core modules and optional modules. You will typically take 6-8 modules in a year, a total of 120 credits.
Here are some example pathways you could follow if you wish to tailor your studies to pursue your interests. These are not set pathways and in no way restrict you to these modular choices, but demonstrate how you can take advantage of our wide range of optional modules and flexible courses to focus your degree in a particular area should you choose to.
history of the Near East
| Year of degree | Core modules | Optional modules |
| First |
Greek History: War, Society, and Change in the Archaic Age Roman History: the Rise and Fall of the Republic |
Ancient Song (Classical Lyric Poetry) Text, Readers, and Writers Latin Ancient Greek |
| Second |
Greek History: Persian Wars to Alexander Roman History: From Republic to Empire Prospects for Classicists & Ancient Historians
|
Introduction to Late Antiquity Justinianic Plague Egypt & Greece Cleopatra |
| Third | Dissertation |
Late Antique Egypt Saints & Sinners Alexander to Cleopatra Egyptian Language & Hieroglyphics |
material culture
| Year of degree | Core modules | Optional modules |
| First |
Ancient Song (Classical Lyric Poetry) Text, Readers, and Writers |
Greek History: War, Society, and Change in the Archaic Age Roman History: the Rise and Fall of the Republic Latin Ancient Greek |
| Second |
Ancient Epic Ancient Drama Prospects for Classicists & Ancient Historians |
Greek Architecture Curatorship and Collections Management Ancient Sport Voices from the Roman Army |
| Third | Dissertation |
Digital Silchester Late Antique Egypt Greek Art and Drama Pioneers of Classical Archaeology |
Classics in the modern world
| Year of degree | Core modules | Optional modules |
| First |
Ancient Song (Classical Lyric Poetry) Text, Readers, and Writers |
Greek History: War, Society, and Change in the Archaic Age Roman History: the Rise and Fall of the Republic Latin Ancient Greek |
| Second |
Ancient Epic Ancient Drama Prospects for Classicists & Ancient Historians |
Cleopatras My Mother's Sin and Other Stories Ancient World on Television |
| Third | Dissertation |
Receptions of Homer Digital Silchester Transformations of Helen |
ancient language
| Year of degree | Core modules | Optional modules |
| First |
Latin Ancient Greek |
Greek History: War, Society, and Change in the Archaic Age Roman History: the Rise and Fall of the Republic Ancient Song (Classical Lyric Poetry) Text, Readers, and Writers |
| Second |
Latin Ancient Greek Prospects for Classicists & Ancient Historians |
Ancient Drama Ancient Epic Greek Religions Modern Greek |
| Third |
Latin Ancient Greek Dissertation |
Greek Prose Composition Ancient Egyptian Language and Hieroglyphs |
Modules in other departments
Across all pathways and degrees you can take 20 credits outside of the Classics Department if you wish (subject to space and eligibility). Popular choices include modern foreign languages, Archaeology, History, Philosophy, Politics and English Literature modules.
Contact the department
Find your path into the Classical world today.