Program Overview

• Get out of the library on organised field trips to Fishbourne Roman Palace and the British Museum, and placements in art galleries and museums
• Work with experts in the fields of Roman and Greek history, Classical literature and drama, and Roman and Greek art and archaeology
• Cover a range of exciting topics from the Minoans and the Bronze Age to Murder in the Classical City, and from Roman Sport and Leisure through to the Classical inheritance of the early medieval world and beyond
• Hone your ability to understand and work in multicultural environments — highly valued by employers

The ancient Greek and Roman worlds have given us an extraordinarily rich heritage of culture, literature, politics, philosophy, art, architecture and archaeology as well as paving the way for democracy, modern day sewers, underfloor heating and the calendar. Whatever you aspire to become – and Classical Studies students have conquered most fields – an understanding of the classical past gives you a keen lens through which to view the modern world.

Our BA in Classical Studies takes an innovative, multidisciplinary dive into this fascinating cultural and intellectual history. You gain a critical yet empathetic appreciation of different worldviews on a course that blends study of history, literature, drama, philosophy, archaeology, art and architecture. Knowledge of Classical languages is not required, but opportunities to learn and develop your language skills may be on offer.

Study begins by establishing a framework of Classical history, both chronologically and geographically. You are introduced to Classical archaeology, art and architecture (for example, temples, sculpture and inscriptions); Classical drama (comedy and tragedy), and literature (epics and lyrics).

Next, in Year 2, you explore the nature of history as a discipline and its changing assumptions, methods and definitions. You choose from a range of modules covering civilisation, archaeology and history including the high point of Athenian democracy and the Classical Greek world, death and ritual in the ancient world and the world of Alexander the Great. In Year 2, you may also undertake a volunteer placement in a museum or art gallery, go on a week-long field trip to sites relevant to the Classical world, or take part in our Study Abroad exchange with a university in America or Bulgaria.

In the final year, you hone your research methods, write a dissertation and undertake more specialised modules that focus on the Pax Romana, the archaeology of Roman Italy, Minoan art and architecture, or Greek and Roman comedy.

After three years you’ll have a grounding in the political, cultural, and economic basics of the Greek and Roman worlds that lends itself to understanding how we continue to interact with the Classical world in our modern society. The skills you cultivate on your modules – time management, critical reading and writing skills, independent thinking and public speaking – transfer readily to today’s workplace.