The MA (Hons) in Classics is a four-year course run by the School of Classics. You can take this degree whether or not you have studied Latin or Greek before. There are beginners’ courses in both Greek and Latin for those who have not studied the languages before or who have only studied them a little. These courses quickly build a solid foundation in each language so that you will rapidly become confident in analysing literature. If you have already studied one or both languages at a higher level, you will undertake more advanced study in your first year in both language and literature, in modules that integrate analysis of literary texts with linguistic and translation exercises. If you are starting one or both languages at beginners’ level, you will spend your first year intensively studying the language to build your confidence and ability to read original texts.In the second year, all students are brought together to take modules that extend and refine their knowledge of Latin and Greek literature and its background, covering both prose and poetry from the archaic period right through to late antiquity, while continuing to incorporate progressive work on Greek and Latin language skills in preparation for Honours-level study. If you have not studied either language before and will be starting both languages as a beginner, you may defer the start of your studies in one of the languages to your second year. Students who take this option go on to take specially-adapted modules in their third year. These allow them to complete their linguistic training while studying literature at Honours-level.