Classical Civilisation and History BA

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.

History gives you 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.

This information is for our course starting in September 2020. If you have applied to study with us for 2019 entry, you can see full details of your course here.

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.

Classical Civilisation 

You’ll choose from core modules on the history and literature of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds in your first year. 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. In your final year you’ll continue to choose from optional modules on diverse topics from around the classical world including Latin or Ancient Greek.  

History 

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. In the following year, you’ll 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 focus on a specific theme or topic in your special subject and develop your research and critical skills.

Course structure

Details of typical modules/components for this course will be published on May 1st. These may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

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

Assessment

We also use different types of assessment. Usually we use a mixture of exams and essays, but you may also be assessed on oral presentations or group work in some modules. 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 if you need them.

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.

• 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.

• BTEC

  We will consider this qualification in combination with other qualifications. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.

• Cambridge Pre-U

  D3, M1, M1 including D3 in History

• International Baccalaureate

  35 points overall with 16 at Higher Level including 6 points in History at Higher Level

• Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)

  H2, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3 including H2 in History

• 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

• 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.

• 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. For more information contact the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies Undergraduate Admissions team.

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 2019

Fees

UK/EU: To be confirmed

International: To be confirmed

Tuition fees for 2019 entry 
For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2019, the fee for 2019/20 will be £9,250. 

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. For example, the increase of 2.8% in 2017/18 was based on the government’s forecast for the RPI-X measure of inflation.

The UK government has confirmed that non-UK EU students starting in the 2019/20 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.

Tuition fees for 2020 entry 
For all full-time students starting in 2020, our fees for 2020/21 have not yet been confirmed and we expect to publish an update later in 2019.

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.

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.

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.

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

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:

• 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 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 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.