BA Classical and Medieval Studies
-
UCAS code
QV81 -
Typical offer
BBB -
Year of entry
2022/23 -
Course duration
Full Time: 3 Years
-
Year of entry
2022/23 -
Course duration
Full Time: 3 Years
COVID-19 update
Study BA Classical and Medieval Studies and discover the classical roots of European civilisation and investigate the Medieval period that followed.
Delve into the literature of Ancient Greece and Rome and the Middle Ages to develop an understanding of these fascinating cultures. You will explore different literary genres (taught in translation), and their wider context in history, art, and society.
This flexible course allows you to pursue your own interests and choose from a wide range of research-led subjects. The wide range of options offered by the Department of Classics includes periods of Roman and Greek history, the historical role of women, and the magic, cults and miracles of the Middle Ages.
You can deepen your knowledge of the ancient world through optional Latin and Greek language modules and gain an understanding of the Classical period through hands-on experience with artefacts from the Ure Museum. You can also discover Rome through our unique, award-winning digital model of the city.
Our teaching staff are actively involved in research and are award-winning educators. Their expertise covers a diverse range of places and periods, in both the ancient and the Medieval worlds.
We encourage you to gain direct experience of the places you study through independent travel, and you can apply for our annual travel bursary. You can also apply to study at the British School at Athens and the British School at Rome, which both offer summer school opportunities to University of Reading students.
Placement
All students are encouraged to undertake a work placement, and the Department benefits from a dedicated placements officer to help with CV writing and letters of application. Past placements have included work in a charity, a barristers' chambers and within a division of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport. Other students have enjoyed placements in the Netherlands and the Isle of Man. The University's own museums also provide a number of voluntary placements.
If you would like to experience life in another country, you can choose to study abroad as part of your degree. The Classics Department also has close links to overseas institutions and universities in Europe, Canada, the USA and Australia.
Overview
Study BA Classical and Medieval Studies and discover the classical roots of European civilisation and investigate the Medieval period that followed.
Delve into the literature of Ancient Greece and Rome and the Middle Ages to develop an understanding of these fascinating cultures. You will explore different literary genres (taught in translation), and their wider context in history, art, and society.
This flexible course allows you to pursue your own interests and choose from a wide range of research-led subjects. The wide range of options offered by the Department of Classics includes periods of Roman and Greek history, the historical role of women, and the magic, cults and miracles of the Middle Ages.
You can deepen your knowledge of the ancient world through optional Latin and Greek language modules and gain an understanding of the Classical period through hands-on experience with artefacts from the Ure Museum. You can also discover Rome through our unique, award-winning digital model of the city.
Our teaching staff are actively involved in research and are award-winning educators. Their expertise covers a diverse range of places and periods, in both the ancient and the Medieval worlds.
We encourage you to gain direct experience of the places you study through independent travel, and you can apply for our annual travel bursary. You can also apply to study at the British School at Athens and the British School at Rome, which both offer summer school opportunities to University of Reading students.
Placement
All students are encouraged to undertake a work placement, and the Department benefits from a dedicated placements officer to help with CV writing and letters of application. Past placements have included work in a charity, a barristers' chambers and within a division of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport. Other students have enjoyed placements in the Netherlands and the Isle of Man. The University's own museums also provide a number of voluntary placements.
If you would like to experience life in another country, you can choose to study abroad as part of your degree. The Classics Department also has close links to overseas institutions and universities in Europe, Canada, the USA and Australia.
Entry requirements A Level BBB
Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.
Typical offer
BBB
International Baccalaureate
30 points overall
Extended Project Qualification
In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.
BTEC Extended Diploma
DDM
English language requirements
IELTS 7.0, with no component below 6.0
For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.
Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students
For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.
International Foundation Programme
If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.
Pre-sessional English language programme
If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.
Structure
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
HS1JH1 | Journeys through History 1:Power and People | DR Daniel Renshaw |
HS1JH2 | Journeys through History 2: Culture and Concepts' | PROF Anne Lawrence |
HS1RSO | Research Skills and Opportunities in History | DR Ruth Salter |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
AP1SB1 | Introduction to Management | PROF Julian Park |
AR1EMP | Early Empires: Mesopotamia, Egypt & Rome | PROF Roger Matthews |
AR1EMP10 | Early Empires: Mesopotamia, Egypt & Rome [10 credits] | PROF Roger Matthews |
AR1FOR | Forensic Anthropology and the Archaeology of Death | DR Ceri Falys |
AR1FOR10 | Forensic Anthropology and the Archaeology of Death [10 credit] | DR Ceri Falys |
AR1REV | Revolutions in Human Behaviour: 4 Million Years BC to the Present | PROF Steve Mithen |
AR1REV10 | Revolutions in Human Behaviour: 4 Million Years BC to the Present [10 credits] | PROF Steve Mithen |
AR1SOC | Contemporary world cultures: an introduction to social anthropology | DR Alanna Cant |
AR1SOC10 | Contemporary world cultures: an introduction to social anthropology [10 credits] | DR Alanna Cant |
CL1G1 | Ancient Greek 1 | MRS Jackie Baines |
CL1GH | Greek History: war, society, and change in the Archaic Age | DR Emma Aston |
CL1L1 | Latin 1 (C) | MRS Jackie Baines |
CL1RH | Roman History: the rise and fall of the Republic | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
CL1SO | Ancient Song | PROF Ian Rutherford |
CL1TR | Texts, Readers, and Writers | PROF Eleanor Dickey |
EC110 | The Economics of Climate Change | DR Stefania Lovo |
FT1ATF | Approaches to Film | DR Adam O'Brien |
FT1ATP | Analysing Theatre and Performance | DR Matt McFrederick |
FT1CSS | Comedy on Stage and Screen | DR Simone Knox |
IL1GICC | Intercultural Competence and Communication | MS Joan McCormack |
LA1PK1 | IWLP Modern Greek 1 | PROF Timothy Duff |
MC1HPE | Museum History, Policy and Ethics | DR Rhi Smith |
MC1PP | Presenting the Past | DR Rhi Smith |
ML1IL | Introduction to Linguistics | MR Federico Faloppa |
MT1CC | The Science of Climate Change | PROF Nigel Arnell |
PO1INE | Inequality | DR Jonathan Golub |
PO1WAR | War and Warfare | |
PP1GJ | Global Justice | MISS Michela Bariselli |
PP1ML | The Meaning of Life | DR Luke Elson |
PP1RP | Radical Philosophy | DR George Mason |
TY1WTF | What the font? Making and using typefaces | DR Matthew Lickiss |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
HS2GPP | Going Public: Presenting the Past, Planning the Future | PROF Kate Williams |
HS2HAD | Historical Approaches and My Dissertation | MISS Liz Barnes |
HS2O12 | Belief and Unbelief in Europe: Religion, Science and the Supernatural c.1400-1800 | PROF Helen Parish |
HS2O3 | People, power and revolution: political culture in seventeenth-century England | DR Rachel Foxley |
HS2O56 | Medieval Medicine | MRS Katie Phillips |
HS2O57 | Encountering the Atlantic World, 1450-1850 | |
HS2O7 | Kingship and Crisis in England, c.1154–1330 | DR Elizabeth Matthew |
CL2AE | Ancient Epic | DR Christa Gray |
CL2AF | Ancient World on Film | DR Antony Keen |
CL2AGW | Ancient Greek Warfare | DR Emma Aston |
CL2APL | Academic Work Placement | DR Emma Aston |
CL2CGH | Greek History: Persian Wars to Alexander | PROF Timothy Duff |
CL2DR | Ancient Drama | PROF Barbara Goff |
CL2EGR | Egypt and the Greco-Roman World | PROF Ian Rutherford |
CL2G2 | Ancient Greek 2 (I) | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
CL2G3 | Ancient Greek 3 (I) | PROF Barbara Goff |
CL2L2 | Latin 2 (I) | MRS Jackie Baines |
CL2L3 | Latin 3 (I) | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
CL2LAN | Literature and Society in Late Antiquity | DR Susan Griffith |
CL2PR | Prospects for Classicists and Ancient Historians | DR Hana Navratilova |
CL2RME | Rome's Mediterranean Empire; A World of Cities | DR Andrew Souter |
CL2RO | Roman History: From Republic to Empire | PROF Annalisa Marzano |
CL2SI | My Mother's Sin and other Stories | DR Dimitra Tzanidaki-Kreps |
ED2TS1 | Development of transferable skills through a school placement 1 | DR Caroline Foulkes |
MC2CCM | Curatorship and Collections Management | DR Rhi Smith |
MC2LE | Museum Learning and Engagement | DR Rhi Smith |
MM2101 | Founder Dilemmas | DR Norbert Morawetz |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
HS3DAC | Discovering Archives and Collections | DR Jacqui Turner |
HS3HED | History Education | DR Elizabeth Matthew |
HS3HLD | Dissertation in History | DR Heike Schmidt |
HS3SHP | Heretics and Popes: Heresy and Persecution in the Medieval World | PROF Rebecca Rist |
HS3T101 | Pirates of the Caribbean: Empire, Slavery, and Society, 1550-1750 | |
HS3T102 | Melancholy Medicine: Healing the Body and Mind in Early Modern England, 1570-1730 | |
HS3T25 | Medieval Magic and the Origins of the Witch-Craze | PROF Anne Lawrence |
HS3T84 | Ireland in the seventeenth century: colonization, conflict and identity | DR Rachel Foxley |
AR3HCP | The Anthropology of Heritage and Cultural Property | DR Alanna Cant |
AR3R9 | Archaeology of the City of Rome | DR Andrew Souter |
CL3AA | Anatolia and the Aegean in the Late Bronze Age. The Context for the Trojan War | PROF Ian Rutherford |
CL3AB | Ancient Biography | PROF Timothy Duff |
CL3AP | Greek & Roman Painting | PROF Amy Smith |
CL3BSR | British School at Rome Undergraduate Summer School | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
CL3DN | Dissertation in Classics | DR Emma Aston |
CL3DP | Preparation for Dissertation in Classics | DR Emma Aston |
CL3G4 | Ancient Greek 4 (H) | MRS Jackie Baines |
CL3G5 | Ancient Greek 5 (H) | PROF Timothy Duff |
CL3INP | Independent Third Year Project | DR Emma Aston |
CL3L3 | Latin 3 (I) | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
CL3L4 | Latin 4 (H) | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
CL3L5 | Latin 5 (H) | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
CL3LAE | Late Antique Egypt | DR Arietta Papaconstantinou |
CL3MT | Modern Tragedy |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Fees
New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250*
New international students: £19,500
*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes
UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.
EU student fees
With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.
Additional costs
Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.
Financial support for your studies
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
Flexible courses (price per 10 credit module)
UK/Republic of Ireland students: £750
International students: £1275
Careers
Comparing different types of evidence for these very diverse periods and cultures will develop your ability to collect, sift through and analyse complex information. Both disciplines will also provide you with a range of transferable skills, including critical thinking, written and oral communication, time-management, adaptability and independence.
Our previous graduates have gone on to a wide variety of careers, including work in accountancy and banking, government and the civil service, law, heritage and museums, teaching, publishing, public sector management, libraries and archives, and media research and production. Employers of past graduates include GCHQ, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Oxford University, the British Museum, the NHS, the Environment Agency, and Sotheby's.
You may also wish to consider postgraduate study; many of our students stay on for research with our Early Modern Research Centre and Graduate Centre for Medieval Studies.