Classical Literature and Philosophy BA
Year of entry 2023
2024 course information- UCAS code
- QV8M
- Start date
- September 2023
- Delivery type
- On campus
- Duration
- 3 years full time
- Work placement
- Optional
- Study abroad
- Optional
- Typical A-level offer
- ABB
- Typical Access to Leeds offer
- BBC at A Level and pass Access to Leeds
Full entry requirements - Contact
- artsadmissions@leeds.ac.uk
Course overview
Classical Literature gives you the chance to explore some of the most important texts in western literature. You’ll combine core and optional modules to appreciate works by writers such as Homer, Virgil, Aeschylus, Apuleius, Aristotle and Ovid, all read in English translation, offering a window into Ancient Greek and Roman culture and history. You'll explore poetry, prose, comedy, and tragedy plays in the ancient theatre and discover how later writers from the ancient world to the present day have been inspired by the classics.
With Philosophy at Leeds, you'll explore fundamental questions about how we understand the world: what’s the difference between belief and knowledge? Why are we here? How do we know what we know – and can we ever know anything at all? You’ll learn how to construct arguments and study key topics such as ethics and logic, as well as specialist knowledge in topics from ancient and moral philosophy to the ethics of life and death, philosophy of language or aesthetics.
Explore our libraries
Leeds has plenty of useful resources for Classical Literature and Philosophy students. The world-class Brotherton Library holds a wide variety of manuscript, archive and early printed material in its Special Collections. Our other library resources are also excellent, and the University Library offers a full training programme to help you make the most of them.
Take a look around our libraries:
Course details
A joint honours degree allows you to study the same core topics as students on each single honours course, but you’ll take fewer optional and discovery modules so you can fit in both subjects. You’ll also undertake a major research project in either subject in your final year.
Your first year will introduce you to topics such as ethics and logic and teach you to construct arguments. You’ll study core modules that introduce you to ancient Greek and Roman literature, as well as starting to develop the skills required to analyse them.
This will lay the foundation for the next two years, where you’ll continue to take a broad approach to philosophy by choosing modules from areas such as logic and language, philosophy of science, mind and knowledge or history of philosophy. You’ll develop those skills by exploring in-depth Homer’s Iliad and/or Virgil’s Aeneid, and choosing from optional modules in Classics in 20th and 21st-century literature or Greek and Roman Drama.
By your final year, you will also have highly developed research and analytical skills and continue building your diverse literary portfolio. You’ll also have the chance to begin or continue with Latin or Ancient Greek throughout. You can also take optional discovery modules in other areas of Classics such as ancient history, philosophy and archaeology.
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.
Year 1 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Greek Poets | 20 |
| Roman Poets | 20 |
| How to Think Clearly and Argue Well | 20 |
Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Ancient Lives | 20 |
| Intermediate Ancient Greek (Level 1) | 20 |
| Intermediate Latin (Level 1) | 20 |
| Beginners Ancient Greek (Level 1) | 20 |
| Beginners Latin | 20 |
| Magic, Science and Religion | 10 |
| History of Psychology | 10 |
| Introduction to the History of Science | 10 |
| Darwin, Germs and the Bomb | 10 |
| The Mind | 10 |
| Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion | 10 |
| The Good, the Bad, the Right, the Wrong | 20 |
| Knowledge, Self and Reality | 20 |
| How Science Works | 10 |
| Great Philosophical Thinkers | 20 |
Year 2 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Evidence and Enquiry in Classics | 20 |
Year 2 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| The Rise of Rome: Myth and History | 20 |
| Virgil's Aeneid | 20 |
| Homer's Iliad | 20 |
| Ancient Empires: Power and Control | 20 |
| Ovid the Innovator | 20 |
| Intermediate Ancient Greek (Level 2) | 20 |
| Intermediate Latin (Level 2) | 20 |
| Beginners Ancient Greek (Level 2) | 20 |
| Beginners Latin (Level 2) | 20 |
| Traversing Time: The Voyage of Argo | 20 |
| The Athenian Empire | 20 |
| Herodotus and the Beginning of History | 20 |
| Invisible Greeks and Romans | 20 |
| Augustus and his Legacy | 20 |
| Plato on Love | 20 |
| Greek Tragedy | 20 |
| The City in the Roman World | 20 |
| Beginners Latin (Level 2) | 20 |
| Introduction to Dante's Comedy (in Translation) | 20 |
| Introduction to the Philosophy of Language | 20 |
| Formal Logic | 20 |
| History of Modern Philosophy: Leibniz and Hume | 20 |
| Introduction to Metaphysics | 20 |
| Philosophical Issues in Biology | 20 |
| How Biology Works | 10 |
| Philosophy Students into Schools | 20 |
| Thinking About Race | 10 |
| Black Europe | 20 |
Year 3 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Traversing Time: The Voyage of Argo | 20 |
| Major Research Project | 40 |
| Intermediate Ancient Greek (Level 3) | 20 |
| The Athenian Empire | 20 |
| Intermediate Latin (Level 3) | 20 |
| Herodotus and the Beginning of History | 20 |
| Ovid the Innovator | 20 |
| The Rise of Rome: Myth and History | 20 |
| Augustus and his Legacy | 20 |
| The Ancient Greek Novel | 20 |
| Heroines: Representations of Mythological Women from Antiquity to the Present | 20 |
| Beginners Ancient Greek (Level 3) | 20 |
| Beginners Latin (Level 3) | 20 |
| Introduction to Dante's Comedy (in Translation) | 20 |
| Adventures of the Imagination: Crime and the Fantastic Across Continents | 20 |
| Kant | 20 |
| Philosophy of Logic and Mathematics | 20 |
| Metaethics | 20 |
| Philosophy of Modern Physics | 20 |
| Philosophical Issues in Technology | 20 |
| Philosophy of the Social Sciences | 20 |
| Independent Research Project in Philosophy, Religion or History of Science | 40 |
| Integrated Research Project in Philosophy, Religion or History of Science | 40 |
| Existentialism and Phenomenology | 20 |
| External Placement: Beyond the University | 40 |
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
Our tutors are experts in their fields, and their own cutting-edge research informs their teaching.
We use various teaching methods to help you benefit from their expertise, including lectures, seminars, tutorials or occasionally workshops. However, independent study is also central to this degree since it allows you to develop your skills in research and analysis. You will be able to apply your skills and knowledge in a Final Year Research Project on a topic of your own choice.
The University offers a variety of tailored support for classicists and philosophers; 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
While we usually use a mixture of exams and essays, you may also be assessed on oral presentations or group work in some modules. We work hard at Leeds to make other innovative and inclusive assessment options available too. Our aim is to make sure you develop skills not only in your chosen subjects, but also ones which you can take into your future career.
Support will be on hand throughout your time at Leeds – 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
Other course specific tests:
Alternative qualification
Access to HE Diploma
BTEC
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: DDM. Other BTEC qualifications are also considered. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.
Cambridge Pre-U
M1, M1, M1
International Baccalaureate
34 points overall including 16 at Higher Level
Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)
H2, H2, H2, H3, H3, H3
Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
Welsh Baccalaureate
Other Qualifications
European Baccalaureate: 77%.
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: BBC at A Level and pass Access to Leeds.
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.
Fees
UK: £9,250 (per year)
International: £22,250 (per year)
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will remain capped at £9,250 for 2023/24 and 2024/25. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.
Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for international students for 2023/24 and 2024/25 are available on individual course pages.
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.
Scholarships and 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.
Applying
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 2024
This course is taught by
School of Languages, Cultures and Societies
School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science
Contact us
School of Languages, Cultures and Societies Undergraduate Admissions
Email: artsadmissions@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:
Career opportunities
A degree as demanding and broad as Classical Literature and Philosophy equips you with a wide range of transferable skills that are highly valuable to employers.
You’ll have advanced communication skills, which allow you to present and defend your ideas confidently and clearly. You’ll also have strong independent research skills and be able to think critically about the information you find. You’ll also have the teamwork and organisational skills needed to handle two different subjects.
This means our graduates are in a great position to succeed in diverse careers. They’ve gone into publishing, law, journalism, education, advertising and marketing, business and finance, the charity sector, and the civil service. Many have also continued to postgraduate study.
You can read more about the range of careers our Classical Literature and Philosophy graduates progress into, as well as the support we offer you throughout your degree.
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 about Careers support.
Study abroad and work placements
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 our 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.