Classics - Subject Guide

Single Honours 

• Classics 

• Classical Studies 

Joint Honours 

• Classics and Philosophy 

• Classical Studies and English 

• Classics and Modern Languages 

• Classics and History 

SOURCE: COMMON DEGREE TITLES FROM WHATUNI

Alternative options 

• Foundation years: Typically lasting for a year, a foundation course in classics offers an introduction to the fundamentals of the subject, preparing students for undergraduate study, and gives an opportunity to improve English language skills if needed. 

• Sandwich degrees: A ‘sandwich’ year is an extra year of study, usually taken between Year 2 and Year 3 of your undergraduate degree. You can broaden your horizons with a year studying abroad, or gain valuable work experience before graduation, giving you a competitive advantage in applying for jobs. 

• Integrated Master’s: Pursuing an integrated Master's degree in classics allows you to deepen your understanding of classical languages and literature by taking an extra year of study so that you’ll emerge with a postgraduate degree instead of an undergraduate. 

• Degree apprenticeships: Usually lasting between three and six years, a degree apprenticeship allows you to combine academic study with practical training. You’ll earn a wage throughout the course, and your employers cover your tuition fees while providing mentorship and guidance. 

FIND OUT MORE: Different types of undergraduate degree

SOURCE: WHATUNI

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No specific subjects are needed to study classics but some universities will ask for an A-level (or equivalent) in Latin or Greek. If not, it may be useful to have studied history or a modern language. 

FIND OUT MORE: How to choose your A-level subjects

Classics covers several centuries of history and the many cultures and sub-cultures within it. From literature and philosophy of ancient Mediterranean cultures to their archaeology and art history, you’ll be able to take specific an area of interest and develop it to the point where it becomes the foundation for a career specialism. Specific areas of study can include: 

• Greek and Latin literature: Both Greek and Latin literature have a rich tradition of epic poems, dramas, and philosophical treatises from ancient Greece and Rome. Themes of heroism, love, tragedy, and morality are explored, and many stories from this time are recast and reimagined by contemporary authors even today. 

• Ancient religions: The ancient world supported a diverse array of belief systems and practices from revolving around deities, rituals, myths, and origin stories. They offer perspectives on cosmology, morality, and the human experience in antiquity, and how it all connects to the way we understand religion today. 

• Ancient philosophy and ethics: Ancient philosophy explores foundational questions about existence, knowledge, and the nature of reality, as expressed by thinkers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. This specialism considers ethical systems and philosophical schools that shaped Western thought and continue to influence contemporary discourse. 

• Classical mythology: Classical mythology looks into the vast body of stories, legends, and myths from ancient Greece and Rome. Featuring gods, heroes, and mythical creatures, they explore themes of creation, heroism, love, and divine intervention, and serve as cultural touchstones in Western literature, and art even today. 

• Epigraphy and palaeography: Epigraphy is the study of inscriptions on ancient coins and artefacts, and these writings provide valuable historical and linguistic information about classical societies. Palaeography examines ancient writing systems deciphering texts and manuscripts to uncover more about living in these ancient worlds. 

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• Greek literature  

• Latin literature  

• Ancient sport 

• Classical mythology 

• Greek drama 

• Classical art and architecture 

• Philosophy of ancient Greece and Rome 

• Epigraphy and inscriptions 

• Classics in modern culture 

In many ways, classics is the study of the cultures which shaped the modern Western world, and studying classics at university allows you to contextualise the languages, literature, history, and culture of ancient Greece and Rome within your own understanding of the world today.  

You’ll learn fascinating insights through a blend of lectures, seminars, and independent research projects, developing your linguistic skills and engaging with current debates and approaches in classical scholarship. You’ll better understand the legacy of antiquity and its impact on literature, art, politics, and philosophy, and this will give you fresh perspectives on contemporary culture. 

You’ll also pick up transferable skills that will serve you well in a variety of professional workplaces. These can include: 

• Text analysis  

• Verbal communication 

• Writing skills 

• Contextualisation 

• Linguistic skills 

Classics programs are not usually accredited, however if you are doing a combined honours degree then your degree may be accredited by a relevant professional body, for example the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists if you’re studying classical archaeology. 

If the study of ancient Greece and Rome interests you, but there are other elements of history, language, or philosophy which you feel would be more suited to your academic and career ambitions, then it can be worth exploring these alternative degree options: 

• Archaeology 

• History 

• Philosophy 

• Linguistics 

• Religious studies 

After studying classics at university, you can head into postgraduate academia, or follow career pathways in museum curation, education, and archaeology. A deep understanding of classical civilisations gives you an advantage as an educator or researcher. Skills in critical thinking and research are highly transferable, opening doors to job opportunities in organisations which require strong communication skills such as law, publishing and journalism.  

Potential career pathways include: 

• Classics professor 

• Museum curator 

• Archaeological fieldworker 

• Research librarian 

• Cultural heritage manager 

• Academic publisher 

• Tour guide 

• Archivist 

• Translator 

These are just a few of the most common job roles. You'll find plenty of other options available to you, and you can also continue your studies by completing a postgraduate degree in classics or a related subject. 

FIND OUT MORE: Career guides