In this course, you will explore the timeline from the arrival of Greek speakers in mainland Greece around the beginning of the second millennium BC to the end of the western Roman Empire in the fifth century AD. Classics provides a comprehensive study of the ancient civilizations, focusing on art, literature, religion, and traditions, while ancient history delves into their politics, economy, society, and culture.
You can choose to focus solely on one area, or combine them together. Alternatively, you can opt for a combined course that includes archaeology. A vital part of fully appreciating this subject is immersing yourself in it. This means learning the language and visiting heritage sites. Some universities require Greek or Latin modules, while others offer them as optional or additional courses. A few courses may also include a year abroad.
As a classics student, you will receive roughly 10 hours of contact time with tutors, which is less than other courses. This demands you to stay focused and disciplined to take the initiative in your learning. You will undergo evaluation through written exams and coursework, with a significant dissertation at the end of three years.
To make your application for classics courses stronger, it is preferable to have A-levels in Latin, ancient Greek, history, English literature, or classical civilization. Moreover, having a language A-level (or its equivalent) might be necessary.
Although classics does not provide you with a specific job, it can provide you with a set of skills. Classics graduates can seek careers in law, medicine, education, science, business, journalism, heritage, and the civil and diplomatic services. Soft skills such as leadership, communication, and teamwork will be honed in this course and can be invaluable assets in any endeavour. J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, studied classics at Exeter, and her works were inspired by classical mythology.
