Classical Civilisation BA

Classics focuses on the study of the Greek and Roman worlds, ranging from the earliest Greek literature to the fall of the Roman Empire. You’ll also look at how ancient culture has been received and interpreted ever since.

This degree is the broadest approach to this interdisciplinary field, incorporating the study of history, literature, language, art, philosophy, archaeology and other areas.

You’ll explore foundational texts and events in Greek and Roman culture through our core modules and choose from optional modules on a wide range of different topics.

You could study Greek philosophy, Roman comedy, the ruins of Pompeii, or how classical religion and myth have been used in 21st century video games, film, and fiction.

Specialist resources

Leeds has plenty of useful resources for Classics students.

Aside from a huge array of scholarly material on the subject, the world-class Brotherton Library holds a wide variety of manuscripts, archive and early printed material, coins and other materials from the ancient world in its Special Collections. You’ll be able to get hands-on experience of using some of these materials in several of your modules.

The University Library offers a comprehensive training programme to help you make the most of Library resources and some of our modules involve trips to local museums (eg Leeds City Museum) too.

Take a look around our libraries:

Brotherton Library
Laidlaw Library
Edward Boyle Library

In your first year, you’ll be introduced to the key issues and themes in Classics, with core modules on the literature and history of Greek and Roman societies. You’ll also be able to choose from options in areas such as ancient languages, classical archaeology, ancient biography and life writing, or to explore your own interests.

You’ll have a broader range of choice in years two and three on topics from Augustus and his legacy to Dante’s engagement with the Classics.

Core modules in Year 2 will introduce you to some of the foundational texts of Western culture, the Iliad and Aeneid, give you the opportunity to explore the empires of the ancient world, and cover practical skills in coin and manuscript handling sessions.

In your final year, you’ll focus on your interests with optional modules covering areas such as Ovid’s innovative works, ancient Greek cultural values, and the role of Classics in modern literature. You’ll also apply the research, critical, and analytical skills you’ve developed throughout your degree to your Final Year Research project.

Classical texts are taught in translation, so you don’t need to have studied an ancient language before you start your degree. However, we do offer optional modules to learn Ancient Greek or Latin in every year of the degree.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Classical Civilisation BA in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Discovery modules

Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.

This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

We use a number of different teaching and learning styles to help you benefit from our tutors’ expertise. They include lectures, seminars and tutorials, but workshops may be included in some modules.

Independent study is also an integral part of the degree, allowing you to read widely and build your research and critical skills. The University offers a variety of tailored support for classicists; the University Library runs free classes and workshops so you can learn how to use them.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

We use various types of assessment.

Exams and essays are a significant part of this, however, some modules will include group work, seminars and online discussion forums, surveys, reports, or presentations. This is to help you develop a wide range of skills, not only in your chosen subjects but for your future career.

We offer support in these areas as well – for example, we run extra classes on skills such as public speaking, structuring essays and exam techniques that you’ll be able to attend throughout your time at Leeds.

Entry requirements

A-level: ABB-AAB

Other course specific tests:

When an applicant is taking the EPQ in a relevant subject this might be considered alongside other Level 3 qualifications and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A Levels, this would be BBB at A Level and grade A in the EPQ.

We consider applications on an individual basis, and if you receive an offer the requirements will depend on the information given on your UCAS form.

• Access to HE Diploma

  Pass diploma with 60 credits overall, including at least 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. An interview and a piece of written work may be required.

• BTEC

  DDM-DDD.

• Cambridge Pre-U

  M1, M1, M1 to D3, M1, M2

• International Baccalaureate

  34 - 35 points overall including 16 at Higher Level.

• Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)

  H2, H2, H2, H3, H3, H3 to H2, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3

• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

  BB in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers or B in Advanced Highers and AAABB in Highers, to AB in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers or A in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers, or AABBB to AAAABB in Highers.

• Welsh Baccalaureate

  The Welsh Baccalaureate is not typically included in the academic conditions of an offer made to you for this course. If you choose to undertake the Welsh Baccalaureate we would strongly encourage you to draw upon these experiences within your personal statement, as your qualification will then be taken into account both when your application is initially considered by the selection panel and again when reviewed by the admissions tutor at the time your A-level results are passed to us.

• Other Qualifications

  European Baccalaureate: 75% - 80%

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds offer: BBC at A Level and pass Access to Leeds.

Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year

If you would like to study arts, humanities, and cultures at university, but don't currently meet the typical entry requirements for direct entry to a degree, you might be eligible to apply for the Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year course.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

Read our guidance about applying.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2023

Fees

UK: £9,250

International: £22,250 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2022/23
For UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2022/23 the fee will be £9,250. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by the government and may vary if policy changes.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2023/24
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students for 2023/24 have been agreed by the UK Government and will remain at the current fee level of £9,250. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by the government and may vary if policy changes.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2023/24
Tuition fees for international students for 2023/24 should be available on individual course pages from September 2022.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.

Financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

A degree in Classical Civilisation covers many different disciplines and provides opportunities to develop transferable skills in a range of areas.

You’ll be a problem-solver and critical thinker who can analyse information, draw your own conclusions, and persuasively communicate your findings. You’ll be able to build sound arguments, manage your time effectively, and conduct independent research.

All of this is valued by employers, and classics graduates have gone into varied careers as a result.

Our graduates work in law (some having completed a law conversion course), journalism, publishing, museum and heritage work, education, accountancy and finance, administration, management consultancy, PR, business, recruitment, the armed forces, and local government.

Many also go on to postgraduate study at Leeds or another university.

We are committed to helping you achieve your career ambitions. The School of Languages, Cultures and Societies careers and employability support includes promoting internships, providing opportunities to work for the School and employer-led workshops and events.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

Study abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America. 

Find out more at the Study Abroad website.

Classics at Leeds has exchange links with Verona University (Italy) and modern language classes are available before you go to prepare you for the experience. There are also opportunities at our partner universities across the world where courses are taught in English.

Work placements

Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.

Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.

A work placement year is a popular choice with Classics students as it provides an opportunity to gain invaluable work experience as part of your degree. As with study abroad, you don't have to decide whether to pursue this before coming to Leeds.

You'll apply for the work placement year when you are already here and settled into your degree. If you are successful, you'll work in a graduate-level role and return to Leeds to complete your final year.

Hannah spent a year working for an integrated marketing group.