Venues

Gilmorehill Campus

Content

Year 1: You do not require a knowledge of the Greek and Latin languages. In first year you will study classical civilisation, covering the history, literature and culture of archaic Greece and republican Rome. You will read the Odyssey and the Aeneid alongside the histories of Herodotus and Sallust and the plays of Plautus.

You will also study two other subjects in year 1 according to your interests: see Degrees in Arts, Science and Social Sciences.

Year 2: The second year covers the literature, culture, history and politics of democratic Athens and of the Roman empire at its height. The set books include plays by Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes; a dialogue by Plato; the histories of Thucydides and Tacitus; the satirical writings of Juvenal; and Petronius’ extraordinary novel.

You will also study one or two other subjects in year 2 according to your interests: see Degrees in Arts, Science and Social Sciences.

Years 3 and 4: If you successfully complete the courses in first and second year, you may progress to Honours (years three and four). You may take Honours either as a Single Honours student specialising entirely in Classics or as a Joint Honours student, taking Classics in combination with another subject. Whichever you choose, the Honours programme involves two years of study (Junior and Senior Honours).

At Honours, you will choose options from a wide range that reflects the research interests of members of staff. If you take Single Honours you will take ten papers and write a dissertation on a topic of your choosing. As a Joint Honours student, you will take either six papers or four papers and a dissertation.

Courses may include: Interpreting Greek tragedy; The Augustan age; Roman afterlives; Gender and sexuality in ancient Rome; Greeks and Romans: identity and representation.

There is also the opportunity with the Honours programme to start or continue study of Latin and/or Greek.

Entry Requirements

2025 entry requirements

Standard entry: 5 Highers at AAAAA (by end S6 with min BBBB after S5) including English and a humanities subject.

Entry to year 2 may be possible with 3 Advanced Highers at AAA plus above Highers.

Widening access entry: 4 Highers at AABB or BBBB (by end S6) including English and a humanities subject. Completion of pre-entry programme is necessary.

Grades and subjects may vary depending on combinations taken.