(Full time) 2021 start
Classical Civilisation and History BA
Overview
Classical Civilisation allows you to take a varied and interdisciplinary approach to understanding the Ancient Greek and Roman worlds. You’ll study classical literature, philosophy and history alongside material culture to gain a deeper understanding of these societies, and of how their customs, ideas, and art have shaped the modern world. You’ll combine core and optional modules to develop a broad base of subject knowledge, and then develop deeper interests in diverse topics as you progress.
With History, you have the chance to explore all aspects of human activity across cultures and over time. Core modules will introduce you to historiography and working with primary sources, developing your skills and knowledge. You’ll then choose from a wide range of optional modules to pursue topics that interest you, from the fall of Rome to the 20th century and the US to India. You’ll also gain a wide range of transferable skills that are very attractive to employers.
Explore our libraries
Leeds has plenty of useful resources for Classical Civilisation and History 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 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 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.
In your first year you’ll study core modules that introduce you to concepts such as historiography, and develop historical skills like working with primary sources. You’ll also choose from core modules on the history and literature of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds.
In the following year, you’ll study the methods and approaches involved in Classics to build your research skills, and choose from optional modules such as Ovid the Innovator and Plato on Love. You’ll also study in-depth Homer’s Iliad and/or Virgil’s Aeneid - both powerhouses of western literature - and/or Ancient Empires. You’ll also be able to choose from a wide range of optional modules, keeping a balance between earlier and later periods. You could study the Crusades, Imperial Germany or Mao Zedong and China since 1949.
In your final year, you'll carry out your own major research project or dissertation in either Classics or History on a subject of your choice. You'll also continue to choose from optional modules on diverse topics from around the classical world, including the image of Sparta or representations of mythological women from antiquity to the present.
Classical texts are taught in translation, so you don’t need to have studied an ancient language. However, we offer Ancient Greek and Latin in every year of the degree if you want to learn or continue with either.
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
- Historiography and Historical Skills 20 credits
- Primary Sources for the Historian: An Introduction to Documentary study 20 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Ancient Lives 20 credits
- Intermediate Ancient Greek (Level 1) 20 credits
- Intermediate Latin (Level 1) 20 credits
- The Greek World: an Introduction 20 credits
- The Roman World: An Introduction 20 credits
- After Troy: Homecoming in Greek Epic and Tragedy 20 credits
- Beginners Ancient Greek (Level 1) 20 credits
- Beginners Latin 20 credits
Year 2
Compulsory modules
- Evidence and Enquiry in Classics 20 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Traversing Time: The Voyage of Argo 20 credits
- Intermediate Ancient Greek (Level 2) 20 credits
- Intermediate Latin (Level 2) 20 credits
- Herodotus and the Beginning of History 20 credits
- Virgil's Aeneid 20 credits
- Homer's Iliad 20 credits
- Rule and Reform under Charlemagne and his Successors, 768-987 20 credits
- Small Change and Big Changes: Money and Power in Europe, 284-1000 20 credits
- Britain and the Atlantic World 20 credits
- Britain and Decolonisation - from the Western Front to the Present Day 20 credits
- Russia under the Romanovs, 1812-1917 20 credits
- Nationalism, Colonialism and 'Religious Violence' in India, 1857-1947 20 credits
- Black Politics from Emancipation to Obama 20 credits
- History in the Media 20 credits
- Brazil and Cuba from Colonies to Republics 20 credits
- Global Business History 20 credits
- Black Europe 20 credits
Year 3
Compulsory modules
You are required to study ONE of the following Final Year Project modules in either Classics or History.
- Major Research Project 40 credits
- Dissertation 40 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Advanced Ancient Language 20 credits
- Traversing Time: The Voyage of Argo 20 credits
- Intermediate Ancient Greek (Level 3) 20 credits
- Intermediate Latin (Level 3) 20 credits
- Pompeii - Past, Present and Future 20 credits
- The Art of Persuasion 20 credits
- Plato on Love 20 credits
- The City in the Roman World 20 credits
- Making Athens Laugh: Aristophanes & Comedy 20 credits
- Conquest, Convivencia and Conflict: Christian and Muslim Spain, 711-1212 40 credits
- Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement 40 credits
- Dividing India: The Road to Democracy in South Asia, 1939-1952 40 credits
- The Third Reich, 1933-1945 40 credits
- Caribbean Mobilities: Travel, Culture and Politics, 1838-1939 40 credits
- Gendering the Raj: Women, Imperialism and Nationalism in Colonial and Postcolonial India 40 credits
- De Tocqueville and the Democratic Regime 40 credits
- The Troubles: The Northern Ireland Conflict, 1968-Present 40 credits
- The Later Elizabethan Age: Politics and Empire 40 credits
- Secret Service: The World of British Intelligence 40 credits
- War on Tribe or War on Terror? Historicizing Afghanistan and Pakistan 40 credits
- Europe on the Move: Refugees and Resettlement, 1919-59 40 credits
- The Soviet Union in World Politics, 1917-1991 20 credits
- Decolonial Approaches 20 credits
Broadening your academic horizons
At Leeds we want you to benefit from the depth and breadth of the University's expertise, to prepare you for success in an ever-changing and challenging world. This course gives you the opportunity to broaden your learning by studying discovery modules. Find out more on the Broadening webpages.
Learning and teaching
Our tutors are experts in their fields, and their teaching is informed by their own cutting-edge research.
We use a range of 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.
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, you’ll be able to attend extra classes on exam technique, structuring an essay and public speaking.
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: AAB including A in History.
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 ABB at A Level including A in History and grade A in the EPQ.
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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. This course has additional subject specific requirements for History. Please contact the Admissions Office for further information. An interview and a piece of written work may also be required.
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BTEC
We will consider this qualification in combination with other qualifications. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.
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Cambridge Pre-U
D3, M1, M1 including D3 in History
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International Baccalaureate
35 points overall with 16 at Higher Level including 6 points in History at Higher Level
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Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)
H2, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3 including H2 in History
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Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
AB in Advanced Highers including A in History and AABBB in Highers, or A in History in Advanced Highers and AABBB 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: 80% including 85% in History.
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: BBB at A Level including History 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.
International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK/EU 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
Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures Undergraduate Admissions Policy 2021
Fees
UK/EU: To be confirmed
International: To be confirmed
Undergraduate tuition fees for 2020 entry
For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2020, the fee for 2020/21 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 and non-UK EU undergraduate students are decided by Government and may vary if policy changes.
The UK government has confirmed that non-UK EU students starting in the 2020/21 academic year will have home fee status and be eligible for UK government student loans for the duration of their course. The UK government has not confirmed the situation for future years, so keep checking our website for updates.
UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2021 entry
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2021/22 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. In other years, the government has confirmed fee levels in summer. When the fee is confirmed, we will publish an update on this website.
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.
Brexit
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.
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 degree as demanding and broad as Classical Civilisation and History 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 teamwork skills, and the 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 Civilisation and History graduates progress into, as well as the support we offer you throughout your degree.
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 specific exchange links with:
- University of Göttingen (Germany)
- Verona University (Italy)
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece).
You could apply to spend a year studying at any one of our three exchange institutions and modern language classes will be available before you go to prepare you for the experience.
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 you come 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.