Proven Student Satisfaction

Reading's Department of Classics cares about their students, their experience at University, and provides them with a supportive environment. All staff are dedicated and working hard to help our students to develop their full potential and to bring out the best in them. This is reflected in a long track record of proven student satisfaction with our department. In the National Student Survey, the Department has consistently achieved results above the sector average. In 2011 our students honoured us with an overall satisfaction rate of 100%, an achievement only paralleled by the University of Cambridge.

The student's voice

Please meet some of our most recent graduates and hear what they have to say about their time at Reading:

 

Here are some further voices of recent graduates:

• Clare Stephens (BA Classical Studies finalist 2010):

I came to the University as a mature student in 2007. I had been working since A-levels and gaining my place at Reading was a dream come true. I did not really know what to expect but the department really made me feel welcome. I had some ups and downs during my time at Reading but my personal tutor's door was always open. She listened to my problems that I was experiencing and really made me think about how I could improve. If it had not been for her support, I do believe I would not be on the verge of graduating and finishing the first thing in a long time.

Through my three years at Reading I really feel I have gained the confidence that I always wish I had, and can now look at my future career as a Wedding Planner with new found confidence. The course has really structured my life and I feel ready to embrace my new business with confidence and happiness and I will always look back on my time at Reading, with pride and joy.

I would recommend a degree in Classics to anyone considering it and can say with some confidence, once you make the decision you will never look back.

• Edward Lowe (BA Ancient History finalist 2009):

I studied for a BA in Ancient History at Reading between 2006-2009 and enjoyed almost every minute of my time at Reading; I say almost as no one enjoys writing essays, or occasional late night essay sessions before an impending deadline at 12:00 noon the next day. These aside, my time at Reading was highly enjoyable. From an academic perspective, the course at Reading had everything I could want offering a wide range of topics to study. Modules on offer, which allowed me to study areas such as the context to the Trojan War, Ancient Medicine, the History of the Jews and the Christians under Roman Rule as well as more basic areas such as Fifth Century Athens and Augustan Rome, meant I finished my degree with a sizeable knowledge of the Ancient World. This stands me in good stead for when I take up my MA course in 2010. (I enjoyed the course so much I even want to carry on my studies into the Ancient World!)

Module options aside, my time at Reading was made equally enjoyable by the friendly, yet professional atmosphere of the Classics Department. The staff are not only experts in their particular fields, but are also extremely friendly and always willing to help……Even the secretaries in the department office were far more friendly than any of the other secretaries I came across and have done since!

Although the Ancient History course was demanding, especially in the final year with the so called 'dreaded' dissertation (I actually really enjoyed my topic so much so I still find myself talking about it now), I still managed to find time to take advantage of the many extra curricula activities on offer writing for the student newspaper, hosting my own radio station, and representing the university's swimming club, all of which look promising on your C.V.

 

• Sanjay Sharma (BA Classics Finalist 2008):

I read a BA in Classics at Reading (2005-2008), and I now look back on this as the best life decision I ever made. The course itself is challenging, stimulating, and engaging, both to the complete beginner and to those coming with years of experience in Latin and/or Greek. But what makes Reading a great place to study the Classics, perhaps more than anything, is the staff. I found myself being taught by leading world scholars in their fields, whether it be in Philology, Drama, Religion, Ancient History, or Ancient Medicine, who go above and beyond the call of duty in their willingness to support the student. Their doors were always open to chat on a one-to-one basis about problems relating to specific aspects of the course, to give essay feedback, or to discuss life in general. I benefited from the array of conferences and guest lectures put on throughout the year. Despite the demands of a full course, I still found time during my degree to play hockey, act in a play and short film, and read the news at the student radio station! For the student looking for a classical degree that will challenge, but furnish fun and friendship along the way, look no further than Reading!