(Full time) 2023 start
Classical Civilisation and Philosophy BA
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. 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 Greek art and society, Augustus’ legacy 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. 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 content
A joint honours degree allows you to study the same core topics as students on each single honours course, but you’ll 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 logic, ethics 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. Core modules will allow you to discover major texts such as the Iliad or Aeneid (both cornerstones of western literature) or to explore a wide range of Ancient Empires, and you'll be expected to maintain a balance over a few key areas of philosophy such as value philosophy, logic and language or mind and knowledge.
But you’ll also be able to specialise in topics that interest you through optional modules such as feminist philosophy, Plato’s Republic, philosophy of science and technology, 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.
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.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- How to Think Clearly and Argue Well 20 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Ancient Lives 20 credits
- The Greek World: an Introduction 20 credits
- The Roman World: An Introduction 20 credits
- Introduction to Classical Archaeology 20 credits
- After Troy: Homecoming in Greek Epic and Tragedy 20 credits
- Latin Literature: Republic and Empire 20 credits
- Intermediate Ancient Greek (Level 1) 20 credits
- Intermediate Latin (Level 1) 20 credits
- Beginners Ancient Greek (Level 1) 20 credits
- Beginners Latin 20 credits
- Magic, Science and Religion 10 credits
- History of Psychology 10 credits
- Introduction to the History of Science 10 credits
- Darwin, Germs and the Bomb 10 credits
- The Mind 10 credits
- Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion 10 credits
- The Good, the Bad, the Right, the Wrong 20 credits
- Knowledge, Self and Reality 20 credits
- How Science Works 10 credits
- Great Philosophical Thinkers 20 credits
Year 2
Compulsory modules
- Evidence and Enquiry in Classics 20 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Invisible Greeks and Romans 20 credits
- Virgil's Aeneid 20 credits
- Homer's Iliad 20 credits
- Ancient Empires: Power and Control 20 credits
- Black Europe 20 credits
- Intermediate Ancient Greek (Level 2) 20 credits
- Intermediate Latin (Level 2) 20 credits
- Beginners Ancient Greek (Level 2) 20 credits
- Beginners Latin (Level 2) 20 credits
- Traversing Time: The Voyage of Argo 20 credits
- The Athenian Empire 20 credits
- Herodotus and the Beginning of History 20 credits
- The Rise of Rome: Myth and History 20 credits
- Roman Comedy 20 credits
- Augustus and his Legacy 20 credits
- The Ancient Greek Novel 20 credits
- Plato on Love 20 credits
- Greek Tragedy 20 credits
- The City in the Roman World 20 credits
- Introduction to Dante's Comedy (in Translation) 20 credits
- Introduction to Epistemology 20 credits
- Philosophy of Religion 20 credits
- Introduction to Metaphysics 20 credits
- Philosophical Issues in Biology 20 credits
- How Biology Works 10 credits
- Philosophy Students into Schools 20 credits
- Thinking About Race 10 credits
Year 3
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Traversing Time: The Voyage of Argo 20 credits
- Major Research Project 40 credits
- The Athenian Empire 20 credits
- Herodotus and the Beginning of History 20 credits
- Ovid the Innovator 20 credits
- Satyrs and Donkeys: The Latin Novel 20 credits
- The Rise of Rome: Myth and History 20 credits
- Augustus and his Legacy 20 credits
- Intermediate Ancient Greek (Level 3) 20 credits
- Intermediate Latin (Level 3) 20 credits
- Beginners Ancient Greek (Level 3) 20 credits
- Beginners Latin (Level 3) 20 credits
- Introduction to Dante's Comedy (in Translation) 20 credits
- Material Cultures and Cultures of Consumption 20 credits
- Adventures of the Imagination: Crime and the Fantastic Across Continents 20 credits
- Decolonial Approaches 20 credits
- Social Movements across Cultures 20 credits
- Kant 20 credits
- War, Terror and Justice 20 credits
- Introduction to Philosophy of Modern Physics 10 credits
- Philosophy of Modern Physics 20 credits
- Philosophical Issues in Technology 20 credits
- Philosophy of the Social Sciences 20 credits
- Independent Research Project in Philosophy, Religion or History of Science 40 credits
- Integrated Research Project in Philosophy, Religion or History of Science 40 credits
- Existentialism and Phenomenology 20 credits
- External Placement: Beyond the University 40 credits
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 all experts in their fields. Their teaching is informed by their ongoing research, and we use different teaching and learning methods to help you benefit from their expertise. These will normally include lectures, seminars and tutorials. 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 different types of assessment, which often include exams, essays and assignments. 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. Support will be on hand – throughout your time at Leeds you’ll be able to attend extra classes on topics like exam technique and structuring an essay.
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: ABB
Other course specific tests:Where 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 welcome applications from mature students with Access qualifications, and from students with a wide range of qualifications.
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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 also be required.
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BTEC
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: DDM. Other BTEC qualifications are also considered. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.
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Cambridge Pre-U
M1, M1, M1
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International Baccalaureate
34 points overall including 16 at Higher Level.
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Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)
H2, H2, H2, H3, H3, H3
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Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
BB in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers, or B in Advanced Highers and AAABB in Highers, or AABBBB in Highers.
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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.
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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 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.
How to apply
Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. 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 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.
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 be a confident communicator who can construct a clear and compelling argument and then present and defend it either verbally or in writing. You’ll also have good research skills and work well independently or in a team. You’ll be able to think analytically and solve problems – and because you’ve managed two subjects, you’ll also have good organisational skills.
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 at the Careers website.
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.