Classical Civilisation and Philosophy BA

Course overview

This wide-ranging joint honours degree allows you to study the full range of ideas, thinkers and approaches in philosophy, while gaining an understanding of the classical societies that laid the foundations of Western philosophical thought.

You’ll explore the literature, culture, politics and history of ancient Greek and Roman societies through core modules, as well as discovering the key issues, concepts and ways of thinking in philosophy. You’ll explore fundamental concepts such as argument construction, moral and political philosophy, the history of modern philosophy, the nature of knowledge and reality, as well as applied philosophy in topics including bioethics, race, gender, and war. Because our research interests are so diverse, we can also offer a wide range of optional modules to focus on the topics and methods that interest you.

From Plato and Socrates to the Latin novel, philosophy of science to aesthetics, Greek art and society to logic, this degree is a fantastic opportunity to study across disciplines, cultures and eras – all while gaining an impressively broad range of skills. There’s even the option to learn from scratch or continue with Ancient Greek or Latin throughout your degree.

Explore our libraries

Leeds has plenty of useful resources for Classical Civilisation and Philosophy students. The world-class Brotherton Library holds a wide variety of manuscript, archive and early printed material 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. 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:

• Brotherton Library
• Laidlaw Library
• Edward Boyle Library

Course details

A joint honours degree allows you to study the same core topics as students on each single honours course, but take fewer options and discovery modules so you can fit in both subjects.

Core modules in your first year will introduce you to key principles, ideas and texts in both subjects, such as how to construct and analyse philosophical arguments, the history of Western Philosophy, and Greek and Roman literature or culture. You’ll also be able to choose from optional modules, such as philosophy of religion or science, or take discovery modules from across the University.

From this foundation, you’ll build and expand your knowledge over the remaining two years. You’ll have a choice of core modules on Homer’s Iliad, Virgil’s Aeneid, Ancient Empires and Invisible Greeks and Romans, and you'll be expected to maintain a balance over a few key areas of philosophy such as value philosophy, the history of philosophy, or theoretical philosophy (such as theories of knowledge and being).

You’ll also be able to specialise in topics that interest you through optional modules, such as feminist philosophy, ancient philosophy, philosophy of science and technology, continental philosophy, philosophy of language or Dante’s engagement with classical material. You’ll also be able to showcase the critical and research skills you’ve gained when you undertake an independent dissertation on a topic of your choice in your final year in either of the two disciplines.

Classical texts are taught in translation, so you don’t need to have studied an ancient language. However, we do offer optional modules in every year of the degree to learn Ancient Greek or Latin from Beginners to Advanced level. Philosophy modules are undergoing revision, but the list below will give a flavour of what is likely to be available.

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

• How to do Philosophy (20 credits) - This introductory module offers you a foundation in some of the formal and informal reasoning skills used in philosophy.

• Introduction to the History of Western Philosophy (20 credits) - This introductory module aims to provide you with an understanding of how western philosophy has developed as a distinct approach to philosophical enquiry by examining a selection of thinkers who influenced its development, potentially going back as far as the Ancient Greeks and extending to the 18th century.

Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

• Ancient Lives

• The Greek World: An Introduction

• The Roman World: an Introduction

• Introduction to Classical Archaeology

• After Troy: Homecoming in Greek Epic and Tragedy

• Latin Literature: Republic and Empire

• Intermediate Ancient Greek (Level 1)

• Intermediate Latin (Level 1)

• Beginners Ancient Greek (Level 1)

• Beginners Latin

• The Mind

• Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Evidence and Enquiry in Classics - 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.

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

• Invisible Greeks and Romans

• Virgil’s Aeneid

• Homer’s Iliad

• Ancient Empires: Power and Control

• Black Europe

• Intermediate Ancient Greek (Level 2)

• Beginners Latin (Level 2)

• Intermediate Latin (Level 2)

• Beginners Ancient Greek (Level 2)

• Traversing Time: The Voyage of Argo

• The Athenian Empire

• Herodotus and the Beginning of History

• The Rise of Rome: Myth and History

• Roman Comedy

• Augustus and his Legacy

• The Ancient Greek Novel

• Plato on Love

• Greek Tragedy

• The City in the Roman World

• Introduction to Dante’s Comedy (in Translation)

• Introduction to Epistemology

• Philosophy of Religion

• Introduction to Metaphysics

• Moral Philosophy

• Political Philosophy

Year 3

Compulsory modules

• Final Year Project in either Philosophy or Classical Civilisation (40 credits) - You'll design your own 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)

• Traversing Time: The Voyage of Argo

• Major Research Project

• The Athenian Empire

• Herodotus and the Beginning of History

• Ovid the Innovator

• Satyrs and Donkeys: The Latin Novel

• The Rise of Rome: Myth and History

• Augustus and his Legacy

• Intermediate Ancient Greek (Level 3)

• Intermediate Latin (Level 3)

• Beginners Ancient Greek (Level 3)

• Beginners Latin (Level 3)

• Introduction to Dante’s Comedy (in Translation)

• Material Cultures and Cultures of Consumption

• Adventures of the Imagination: Crime and the Fantastic Across Continents

• Decolonial Approaches

• Social Movements Across Cultures

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.

However, we attach a lot of importance to building your research and critical skills, so independent study is also a crucial part of the degree. 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

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. Exams and essays are a part of this, but we also use poster presentations, reflective commentaries and narrated slideshow presentations. Some modules are also assessed through seminar participation or online quizzes, while group work and oral presentations may also be treated as set components.

We aim to make sure you develop skills not only in your chosen subjects, but also ones which you can take into 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 welcome applications from mature students with Access qualifications, and from students with a wide range of qualifications.

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.

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: £24,500 (per year)

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
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 joint honours degree in Classical Civilisation and Philosophy crosses disciplines and equips you with a wide range of skills, all of which 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 – enabling you to think critically about the information you find – alongside the teamwork and organisational skills needed to handle two different subjects.

Graduates in each subject have gone on to find success in diverse careers as a result, including journalism, museum and heritage work, education, business and finance, administration, PR, recruitment, management and the civil service. Many others progress to postgraduate study.

You can read more about the range of careers our Classical Civilisation 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.

Classical Civilisation and Philosophy 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.