Skip to main content

University of Reading Cookie Policy

We use cookies on reading.ac.uk to improve your experience. Find out more about our cookie policy. By continuing to use our site you accept these terms, and are happy for us to use cookies to improve your browsing experience.

Continue using the University of Reading website

  • Schools and departments
  • Henley Business School
  • University of Reading Malaysia
  • Applicants
  • Student
  • Staff
  • Alumni
Show/Hide navigation
University of Reading University of Reading
Mobile search categories
  • Study and life
  • Research
  • About us
  • View courses
  • Home
  • Study and life
    • Study
    • Student life
    • Accommodation
    • Open Days and visiting
    • International students
  • Research
    • Themes
    • Impact
    • Innovation and partnerships
    • Research environment
    • Get involved
  • About us
    • Our global community
    • Business
    • Local community
    • Visit us
    • Strategy
    • Governance
    • Contact us
  • Applicants
  • Student
  • Staff
  • Alumni
  • Schools and departments
  • Henley Business School
  • University of Reading Malaysia
  • View courses
mask
CHOOSE A SUBJECT
2022/23
2023/24
Undergraduates
Postgraduates
Undergraduates
Postgraduates

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • Pharmacy
  • Physician Associate

Subjects A-B

  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Bioveterinary Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Criminology
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Finance
  • Food
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre & Performance

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise
  • Creative Writing

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teacher training
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

BA Classics

  • UCAS code
    Q800
  • Typical offer
    BBB
  • Year of entry
    2023/24
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  3 Years
  • Year of entry
    2023/24
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  3 Years

With BA Classics explore the cultures of ancient Greece and Rome through the study of their languages, Greek and Latin. Read ancient texts in the original and learn how languages – ancient and modern – develop and function.

Whether you have any experience of studying ancient languages or not you can develop an advanced knowledge of Latin and Greek, learning to read the words written by ancient authors. We offer core modules in both languages at all levels, from absolute beginner through to advanced, in all three years of the degree. Each week you will receive an impressive three to four hours of language teaching in small class groups, working on grammar, vocabulary and translation.

In addition to your core language learning, this course allows you to study the ancient world from a range of perspectives, including political, social and cultural. The wide range of expertise within the Department of Classics also gives you the option of studying other cultures such as ancient Egypt; we can even teach you hieroglyphics. In the Department of Classics, we achieved a 91% satisfaction score for the teaching on our courses (National Student Survey, 2022) 

As with all our degrees, we offer you the flexibility to choose modules from other departments such as Archaeology, English Literature, and Philosophy. You can also choose to take a modern foreign language – Classics students often find this complements their study of Latin and Greek.

You can apply to study abroad on all our degrees, with bursaries for independent travel available, as well as popular departmental trips. The British School at Athens and the British School at Rome both offer summer school opportunities. We also have close links to overseas institutions in Europe, Canada, the USA and Australia. You can apply to spend one term or one academic year abroad as part of your degree.

Placement

We encourage you to undertake placements as part of your course. You will receive professional training to help you secure a top-quality placement and prepare you for the experience. Placements provide the chance to put your newly acquired knowledge and skills into practice and to gain valuable real-world experience. Students can transfer to a four-year degree in order to benefit from a Professional Placement Year, or you can apply to spend a full academic year studying abroad.

Students in previous years have gained work experience in charities, barristers' chambers, the government's Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, in foreign countries, and in commercial units such as Oxford Archaeology. The University's museums, including the Department's own Ure Museum, also provide a number of voluntary work placements, ranging from helping with school visits to preparing displays and exhibitions.

Overview

With BA Classics explore the cultures of ancient Greece and Rome through the study of their languages, Greek and Latin. Read ancient texts in the original and learn how languages – ancient and modern – develop and function.

Whether you have any experience of studying ancient languages or not you can develop an advanced knowledge of Latin and Greek, learning to read the words written by ancient authors. We offer core modules in both languages at all levels, from absolute beginner through to advanced, in all three years of the degree. Each week you will receive an impressive three to four hours of language teaching in small class groups, working on grammar, vocabulary and translation.

In addition to your core language learning, this course allows you to study the ancient world from a range of perspectives, including political, social and cultural. The wide range of expertise within the Department of Classics also gives you the option of studying other cultures such as ancient Egypt; we can even teach you hieroglyphics. In the Department of Classics, we achieved a 91% satisfaction score for the teaching on our courses (National Student Survey, 2022) 

As with all our degrees, we offer you the flexibility to choose modules from other departments such as Archaeology, English Literature, and Philosophy. You can also choose to take a modern foreign language – Classics students often find this complements their study of Latin and Greek.

You can apply to study abroad on all our degrees, with bursaries for independent travel available, as well as popular departmental trips. The British School at Athens and the British School at Rome both offer summer school opportunities. We also have close links to overseas institutions in Europe, Canada, the USA and Australia. You can apply to spend one term or one academic year abroad as part of your degree.

Placement

We encourage you to undertake placements as part of your course. You will receive professional training to help you secure a top-quality placement and prepare you for the experience. Placements provide the chance to put your newly acquired knowledge and skills into practice and to gain valuable real-world experience. Students can transfer to a four-year degree in order to benefit from a Professional Placement Year, or you can apply to spend a full academic year studying abroad.

Students in previous years have gained work experience in charities, barristers' chambers, the government's Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, in foreign countries, and in commercial units such as Oxford Archaeology. The University's museums, including the Department's own Ure Museum, also provide a number of voluntary work placements, ranging from helping with school visits to preparing displays and exhibitions.

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.

  • Learn more about our International Foundation programme

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.

  • Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Structure

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Core modules include:

  • Ancient Latin at an appropriate level, from beginner to expert
  • Ancient Greek at an appropriate level, from beginner to expert

Optional modules include:

  • Greek History: War Society and Change in the Archaic Age
  • Roman History: the Rise and Fall of the Republic
  • Ancient Song
  • Texts, Readers, and Writers
  • One or more modules from another department

Please note that all modules are subject to change. 

Core modules include:

  • Ancient Latin at an appropriate level, from beginner to expert
  • Ancient Greek at an appropriate level, from beginner to expert

Optional modules include:

  • Ancient Epic
  • Ancient Drama
  • Ancient Egyptian Language and Hieroglyphs
  • Academic Work Placement
  • Greek History: Persian Wars to Alexander
  • Cleopatras
  • Egypt and the Greco-Roman World
  • Early Macedon
  • Greek Religions
  • Greek Sculpture
  • Introduction to Late Antiquity
  • Work Placement for Classicists and Ancient Historians
  • Prospects for Classicists and Ancient Historians
  • Rome's Mediterranean Empire: A World of Cities
  • Roman History: From Republic to Empire
  • Sexuality and Gender in the Ancient World
  • My Mother's Sin and other Stories
  • One or more modules from another department

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core modules include:

  • Ancient Latin at an appropriate level, from beginner to expert
  • Ancient Greek at an appropriate level, from beginner to expert
  • Preparation for Dissertation in Classics

Optional modules include:

  • Anatolia and the Aegean in the Late Bronze Age. The Context for the Trojan War
  • Ancient Biography
  • History and Culture of New Kingdom Egypt
  • From Classroom to Courtroom: Mastering the Art of Persuasion in the Ancient World
  • Pioneers of Classical Archaeology
  • City of Rome
  • Seneca: The Consul, The Philosopher, The Tragedian
  • Ancient Sparta
  • Technology in the Ancient World
  • Urban Life: The Archaeology and Anthropology of Roman Cities
  • One of more modules from another department

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250*

New international students: £20,300

*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

A degree in Classics will provide you with a range of transferable skills, including critical thinking, researching, written and oral communication, adaptability, and the ability to understand different cultures. Studying Latin and Greek also demonstrates linguistic flair and provides a firm foundation for learning other languages. Our degrees incorporate specific careers and employability training.

Overall, 93% of graduates from Classics are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation. [1] They have gone on to a wide variety of careers, including work in accountancy and banking, the government and the civil service, law, heritage and museums, teaching, publishing, public sector management, libraries and archives, and media research and production. Recent employers include Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, University of Oxford, the British Museum, the BBC, the Museum of London Archaeology and the Natural History Museum.

The skills you'll develop through studying for a degree in Classics are highly transferable and will prepare you well for whatever career path you choose to pursue.

[1] Based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2022, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20; includes first degree Classics responders.

BA Classics

The enthusiasm of Reading’s staff and students creates a unique atmosphere conducive to challenging and varied study. Looking back it is remarkable how studying Classics contributed to both my personal and academic development. It teaches you to value not only individual thought, but also the thought of communities and cultures. It taught me how to love a song, a poem, a language. These are the greatest gifts I’ve ever known, and I’ve used them every day.

Alex Heavens
BA Classics graduate

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

Take the next step


How to apply for 2023 entry

Come to an Open Day

Get a prospectus

Ask us a question

Chat to our students

Related Subjects


  • Classics and Classical Studies

Ready for more?

How to apply
Visit an Open Day
Get a prospectus
View courses
  • Charitable Status
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies
  • Terms of use
  • Sitemap

© University of Reading