Classical Civilisation BA

Course overview

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 immersive and engaging 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, selecting optional modules on a wide range of different topics.

You could study Greek philosophy, Roman comedy, the reign of Alexander, or how classical religion and myth have been used in 21st-century video games, film, and fiction. You’ll have the opportunity to study great historical figures, as well as the lives of ordinary people in the ancient world, including under-represented and subordinate groups.

Explore our libraries

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 working with ancient manuscripts, coins and other artefacts, including one of the longest surviving inscriptions from ancient Britain.

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 such as Leeds City Museum.

Take a look around our libraries:

• Brotherton Library
• Laidlaw Library
• Edward Boyle Library

Course details

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 explore your own interests.

You’ll have a broader range of choice in the second and third year, with topics ranging from Augustus and his legacy to Dante’s engagement with the Classics.

Core modules in Year 2 will introduce you to various foundational texts such as the Iliad and Aeneid, giving you the opportunity to explore the empires of the ancient world and engage with 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 in every year of the degree to learn Ancient Greek or Latin from Beginners to Advanced level.

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

Year 1

Compulsory Modules (20 credits each)

• The Greek World: an Introduction - This module provides a historical survey of events in the Greek world from the eighth to the fourth centuries BC, followed by a more detailed study of the social and cultural life of fifth- and fourth-century BC Athens.

• The Roman World: an Introduction - The module is intended as a foundation for further study in all aspects of Roman civilisation. It will start with an introduction to the major periods in Roman history and the surviving ancient evidence which allows us to study them.

• Greek Poets - This module provides an introduction for students to two Ancient Greek poets, Homer and Aeschylus, through detailed study of Homer's Odyssey, a seminal work in the Western literary tradition, and Aeschylus’ Oresteia, the earliest acknowledged masterpiece of European drama. The poems will be read in English translation.

• Roman Poets - This module provides an introduction for students to two Roman poets, Catullus and Ovid, through detailed study of the lyric poetry of Catullus, whose treatment of themes such as love and friendship was a major influence on later love poets, and of Ovid’s epic poem, Metamorphoses, which in its presentation of famous classical myths remains a significant influence in European literature and art.The poems will be read in English translation.

Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below, 20 credits each)

• Ancient Lives

• Introduction to Classical Archaeology

• Beginners Ancient Greek (Level 1)

• Beginners Latin

• Intermediate Ancient Greek (Level 1)

• Intermediate Latin (Level 1)

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Evidence and Enquiry in Classics (20 credits) - This module is designed to build on and enhance the skills which you have developed at level 1, and to prepare you to pursue independent research at level 3 with the help and guidance of an academic supervisor. It offers a survey of Classics today, of classes of evidence, and of the various areas of classical research. The module encourages a holistic view of Classics as a discipline, which is essential for conducting effective research.

Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below, 20 credits each)

• Intermediate Ancient Greek (Level 2)

• Intermediate Latin (Level 2)

• Beginners Ancient Greek (Level 2)

• Beginners Latin (Level 2)

• Traversing Time: The Voyage of Argo

• The Athenian Empire

• Herodotus and the Beginning of History

• The Rise of Rome: Myth and History

• Invisible Greeks and Romans

• Roman Comedy

• Augustus and his Legacy

• The Ancient Greek Novel

• Screening Antiquity

• Subversive Desires: Roman Love Elegy

• Heroines: Representations of Mythological Women from Antiquity to the Present

• Virgil’s Aeneid

• The Image of Sparta

• Greek Art and Society

• Homer’s Iliad

• Plato on Love

Year 3

Compulsory modules

• Major Research Project (40 credits) - The major dissertation requires the student to design their own 12,000-word project on any topic, subject to approval from a potential supervisor and the module coordinator.

Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below, 20 credits each)

• Intermediate Ancient Greek (Level 3)

• Intermediate Latin (Level 3)

• Beginners Ancient Greek (Level 3)

• Advanced Ancient Greek

• Beginners Latin (Level 3)

• Advanced Latin

• Traversing Time: the Voyage of Argo

• The Athenian Empire

• Herodotus and the Beginning of History

• The Athenian Empire

• Ovid the Innovator

• The Rise of Rome: Myth and History

• Augustus and his Legacy

• The Ancient Greek Novel

• Screening Antiquity

• Subversive Desires: Roman Love Elegy

• Heroines: Representations of Mythological Women from Antiquity to the Present

• The Image of Sparta

• Greek Art and Society

• Plato on Love

• Greek Religion

• Greek Tragedy

• The City in the Roman World

Learning and teaching

We use a number of different teaching and learning styles to help you benefit from our tutors’ expertise, including lectures, seminars and tutorials, as well as workshops, practical sessions working with manuscripts and coins, and field trips.

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 diverse types of assessment designed to deliver key skills essential for the world of work: to think clearly and critically, to speak well, and to write persuasively.

We work hard at Leeds to make innovative and inclusive assessment options available. These include exams and essays, poster presentations, reflective commentaries and narrated slideshow presentations. Some modules will include group work, seminars and online discussion forums. This is to help you develop a wide range of skills, not only in your chosen subjects but for your future career.

We offer additional support in relevant areas – 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:

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.

Alternative qualification

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 a contextual 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 contextual admissions.

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

Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year

This course is designed for students whose backgrounds mean they are less likely to attend university (also known as widening participation backgrounds) and who do not currently meet admissions criteria for direct entry to a degree.

The course will give you the opportunity to be taught by academic staff and provides intensive support to enable your development of academic skills and knowledge. On successful completion of your foundation year, you will progress to your chosen degree course. Find out more about 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.

Fees

UK: To be confirmed

International: £26,000 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will be £9,250 for students starting in 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 UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. When the fee is available we will update individual course pages.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 and 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2024/25 are available on individual course pages. Fees for students starting in 2025/26 will be available from September 2024.

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 on our living costs and budgeting page.

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 Admissions Policy 2025

This course is taught by

School of Languages, Cultures and Societies

Contact us

School of Languages, Cultures and Societies Undergraduate Admissions

Email: artsadmissions@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Career opportunities

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 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.

Classical Civilisations 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.