BA Degree Structures (valid up to 2023 entry)

The Department of Greek and Latin offers two major BA programmes (BA Classics and BA Ancient World) and contributes to a range of joint honours degree programmes.

Degree Structures

 Recommended modules outside the Department of Greek and Latin

General Degree Rules

1. Classics modules with a numerical code beginning 000 (e.g. CLAS0002) are only available to first-year students.

2. Latin and Greek modules GREK0002, GREK0039, LATN0034 and LATN0003 are beginners level modules which are available to first-year and second-year students. These modules are available to final-year students with the permission of the relevant degree tutor.

3. Classics modules CLAS0011, CLAS0017, CLAS0047, CLAS0020, CLAS0138, CLAS0045 and CLAS0025 are available to second-year and final-year students.

4. Latin and Greek modules LATN0008, LATN0009, LATN0010, LATN0011, LATN0032, LATN0013, LATN0021, LATN0037, GREK0010, GREK0013, GREK0036, GREK0022 and GREK0001 are primarily intended for second-year and final-year students. Some are available to first-year students with A Level (or equivalent) in the relevant language (see below).

5. Modules CLAS0032, CLAS0043 / LATN0012 / GREK0012 are only available to final-year students.

6. First-year students with a GCSE (or equivalent) in the relevant language should take Intermediate Latin and/or Intermediate Greek (GREK0005 / GREK0040 and/or LATN0004 / LATN0035 ).

7. First-year students with an A Level (or equivalent) in the relevant language should take Advanced Greek A & B or Advanced Latin A & B (GREK0008 and/or LATN0005). They may also take the following language modules in addition to Advanced Greek A & B or Advanced Latin A & B:

GREK0010 Greek Translation

LATN0008 Latin Translation

LATN0010 Late and Medieval Latin

LATN0011 Latin Palaeography

LATN0032 History of the Latin Language

8. The following language modules are only available to second and final-year students (who meet the prerequisites). They may not be taken by first-year students:

GREK0022 Greek Papyrology

GREK0036 Homer

LATN0009 Latin Prose Composition

LATN0019 Latin Poetry and its Translations

9. Modules in translation are open to any second-year or final-year students within or outside the Department of Greek and Latin.

E.g. CLAS0138 Greek Authors: Homer

BA Ancient World

BA Ancient World and BA Ancient World with sample options

Candidates must normally pass at least 45 credits of either Greek or Latin during Years 1 and 2 (together). A candidate who fails to pass any of the modules taken towards the 45 credit language requirement will have to retake the failed modules in the following year (except in Year 3).

Candidates who take a Beginners Level module in either language in Year 1 will normally proceed to an Intermediate module in Year 2.

Exceptionally, candidates who pass 30 credits of Greek or Latin in Year 1 at Intermediate Level or above may satisfy the language requirement by passing a further 45 credits of another language (such as Egyptian or classical Hebrew) with the Ancient World field of study.

YEAR 1

• COMPULSORY

  CLAS0004 Approaches to the Ancient World (15 credits)
  GREK* or LATN* modules at the appropriate level (30 credits) e.g. Beginners Latin/Greek A and B
  At least 15 credits from the modules offered by the History Department for Year 1 students within the Ancient World* field of study.
  At least 15 credits from the modules offered by the Institute of Archaeology for Year 1 students within the Ancient World* field of study.

• OPTIONAL
  45 credits of modules either within the Ancient World* field of study or outside of it¹

YEAR 2

• COMPULSORY
  GREK* or LATN* modules to the value of at least 15 credits
• OPTIONAL
  up to 105 credits of modules (for a total of 120 credits for the programme for the year) either within the Ancient World* field of study or outside of it²

YEAR 3/4

• COMPULSORY

  CLAS0043 Extended Essay (15 credits) OR a 30 credit dissertation module from the History Department (as part of the Special Subject Group 3 modules worth 60 credits) OR ARCL0047 'A Detailed Study of a Selected Topic (Dissertation)' in Archaeology (worth 30 credits), taken by special permission of the Ancient World Degree Tutor, OR an Extended Essay in Greek (GREK0012) OR in Latin (LATN0012), given the requisite skills in Greek or Latin, and by special permission of the Ancient World Degree Tutor.

  It is not normally permitted to write two dissertations, but that this may be allowed on a discretionary basis with the permission of the Ancient World Degree Tutor.

• OPTIONAL
  up to 105 credits of modules (for a total of 120 credits for the programme for the year) either within the Ancient World* field of study or outside of it

The Ancient World field of study is defined at UCL as including all modules that relate to any aspect of the ancient Mediterranean world and its cultures, including connections to cultures outside the Mediterranean, from the Bronze Age down to late Antiquity (c. 3000 BC - 600 AD). Geographically, it naturally covers the entire territory of the Roman Empire, but extends to those more distant cultures that engaged in dialogue and exchange with the cultures of the ancient Mediterranean. Taken thematically, the field focuses first of all on the literatures, cultures, religions, history, and archaeology of Graeco-Roman antiquity and its precursors and successors, including ancient Italy and Anatolia as well as Northern Europe and North Africa, but it also covers the Ancient Near East, Ancient Egypt, Persia, and so on. The literature and culture of early Christianity is included. Languages that can be studied within the Ancient World field include the ancient languages of the Mediterranean and other relevant Indo-European and Semitic languages as well (languages recognized thus include Latin and Greek, Sanskrit, Sumerian and Akkadian, Hittite, Persian, Egyptian, Hebrew, Aramaic and Classical Arabic). It also includes ancient philosophy and related disciplines, and studies that focus on the reception and cultural impact of ancient Mediterranean civilisations in later times, up to and including our own. All courses given by the Department of Greek and Latin naturally qualify. The above list is not intended as exhaustive: please consult the Ancient World Tutor if you wish to discuss whether or not a given course offering or research topic will satisfy the Ancient World area requirement.

1. In Year 1, candidates may take up to 30 credits of modules entirely outside the Ancient World field of study.

2. In Year 2 and Year 3 together, candidates may take up to 30 credits (in total, not per year) of modules entirely outside the Ancient World field of study.

BA Classics

BA Classics and BA Classics with sample options

Candidates must normally pass at least 30 credits of Greek (GREK-) and 30 credits of Latin (LATN) each year. A candidate who fails to pass any of the modules taken towards the language requirement will have to retake the failed modules in the following year (except in Year 3/4).

Beginners Language may be taken in the final year by permission of the Classics Degree Tutor.

In order to progress to Year 2, candidates must normally have passed at least 15 credits of Greek and 15 credits of Latin. In order to progress to Year 3, candidates must normally have passed at least 45 credits of Greek and 45 credits of Latin (across both years).

YEAR 1

• COMPULSORY

  CLAS0005 Interpreting Greek Literature (15 credits)
  CLAS0006 Interpreting Latin Literature (15 credits)
  30 credits of Latin (LATN*) modules
  30 credits of Greek (GREK*) modules

• OPTIONAL
  30 credits of modules either within the Classics† field of study or outside of it

YEAR 2

• COMPULSORY

  CLAS0020 Classics and Literary Theory (15 credits)
  30 credits of Latin (LATN*) modules
  30 credits of Greek (GREK*) modules

• OPTIONAL
  45 credits of modules either within the Classics† field of study or outside of it¹

YEAR 3/4

• COMPULSORY

  30 credits of Latin (LATN*) modules
  30 credits of Greek (GREK*) modules

• OPTIONAL
  60 credits of modules either within the Classics† field of study or outside of it

†The Classics field of study is defined as including all modules that relate to any aspect of Graeco-Roman antiquity, the Ancient Near East, Ancient Egypt, the ancient languages of this area, and other Indo-European languages.

1. In Year 2 and Year 3 together, candidates may take up to 30 credits (in total, not per year) of modules entirely outside the Classics field of study.

BA Greek with Latin / BA Latin with Greek

BA Greek with Latin | BA Latin with Greek

Candidates taking a Greek with Latin degree must normally pass at least 30 credits of Greek (GREK-) and at least 30 credit of Latin (LATN-) at the appropriate level in Year 1. Candidates may then drop Latin in Year 2, but must normally pass at least 45 credits of Greek in Year 2 and at least 60 credits of Greek in Year 3.

The rules for the Latin with Greek degree are the same, substituting Latin for Greek.

Greek with Latin

YEAR 1

• COMPULSORY

  CLAS0005 Interpreting Greek Literature (15 credits)
  CLAS0006 Interpreting Latin Literature (15 credits)
  GREK0008 Advanced Greek A & B (30 credits)
  30 credits of Latin (LATN*) modules

• OPTIONAL
  30 credits of modules either within the Classics* field of study or outside of it

YEAR 2

• COMPULSORY

  CLAS0020 Classics and Literary Theory (15 credits)
  45 credits of Greek (GREK*) modules

• OPTIONAL
  60 credits of modules either within the Classics* field of study or outside of it¹

YEAR 3/4

• COMPULSORY
  At least 60 credits of Greek (GREK*) modules

• OPTIONAL
  60 credits of modules either within the Classics* field of study or outside of it¹

Latin with Greek

YEAR 1

• COMPULSORY

  CLAS0005 Interpreting Greek Literature (15 credits)
  CLAS0006 Interpreting Latin Literature (15 credits)
  LATN0005 Advanced Latin A & B (30 credits)
  30 credits of Greek (GREK*) modules

• OPTIONAL
  30 credits of modules either within the Classics* field of study or outside of it

YEAR 2

• COMPULSORY

  CLAS0020 Classics and Literary Theory (15 credits)
  45 credits of Latin (LATN*) modules

• OPTIONAL
  60 credits of modules either within the Classics* field of study or outside of it¹

YEAR 3/4

• COMPULSORY
  At least 60 credits of Latin (LATN*) modules
• OPTIONAL
  60 credits of modules either within the Classics* field of study or outside of it¹

 *The Classics field of study is defined as including all courses that relate to any aspect of Graeco-Roman antiquity, the Ancient Near East, Ancient Egypt, the ancient languages of this area, and other Indo-European languages.

1. In Year 2 and Year 3 together, candidates may take up to 30 credits (in total, not per year) of modules entirely outside the Classics field of study.

Study/Year Abroad Rules

a) These degrees have the same rules as three-year Classics and Ancient World degrees (respectively) in Year 1, Year 2 and Year 4 (where the rules for Year 3 of three-year degrees apply), except that, in Years 1 and 2, candidates must study at the appropriate level the language of the country they intend to visit in Year 3.

b) Progression to Year 3 Study/Year Abroad is subject to satisfactory performance in Years 1 and 2, especially in relevant modern language courses. Students must be of good academic standing, and requirements for progression must be met. Additionally, students must have completed the 'Preparation for Study Abroad Programme' in the spring of Year 2.

c) Students must take 2 'shell-course units' in Year 3, CLAS0144 and CLAS0145. For these candidates, progression to Year 4 is conditional on the completion of CLAS0144 and CLAS0145.

d) Assessment of the degree as a whole is as for the 3-Year Classics and Ancient World Degrees.

e) Candidates who have not previously studied the modern language of the country they intend to visit must complete at least 45 credits of this language during Years 1 and 2 (i.e. 45 credits across the two years, not 45 credits each year) or provide satisfactory documentation of an equivalent engagement with this language outside of the UCL course units at the end of each academic year (e.g. via external language classes or tutoring). Where the Year/Study Abroad placement is taught in English, the equivalent number of units must be completed in the language and/or culture of the country offering that placement.

f) Candidates who have a GCSE or A-Level in the modern language of the country they intend to visit must complete at least 30 credites of this language during Years 1 and 2 (with at least 15 credits in Year 2) or provide satisfactory documentation of an equivalent engagement with this language outside of the UCL course units at the end of each academic year (e.g. via external language classes or tutoring). Exceptionally, by the permission of the Year Abroad Tutor this requirement can be reduced to 15 credits course units in Year 2 (or equivalent) for those who have an A-Level (or equivalent).

g) Subject to the approval of their Degree Tutor, candidates may be permitted to take 30 credits of the language (or literature taught in the original language) of their Year 3 Host country at an appropriate level in Year 4 (in addition to selection of modules outside the Classics/Ancient World field of study permitted under the degree rules).

Joint Degree: Ancient Languages

BA Ancient Languages

• Ancient World: all modules
• These rules refer to the Greek/Latin side of your degree:

YEAR 1

• COMPULSORY

  CLAS0009 Introduction to the Study of Language (15 credits)
  30 credits of Latin (LATN-) or Greek (GREK-) modules

• OPTIONAL
  up to 45 credits of modules from Greek and Latin (GREK-, LATN-, CLAS- and approved modules from History, Archaeology or Philosophy)

YEAR 2

• COMPULSORY
  30 credits of Latin (LATN-) or Greek (GREK-) modules
• OPTIONAL

  30 credits of Latin (LATN-) or Greek (GREK-) modules TAKEN AS A THIRD LANGUAGE
  up to 30 credits of modules from Greek and Latin (GREK-, LATN-, CLAS- and approved modules from History, Archaeology or Philosophy)

YEAR 3/4

• COMPULSORY
  30 credits of Latin (LATN-) or Greek (GREK-) modules
• OPTIONAL
  up to 60 credits of modules from Greek and Latin (GREK-, LATN-, CLAS- and approved modules from History, Archaeology or Philosophy

 

Joint degree: SELCS language (French/German/Italian etc.) and Latin

French and Latin | Italian and Latin | Spanish and Latin | German and Latin | Dutch and Latin | Scandinavian Studies and Latin

These rules refer to the LATIN side of your degree:

YEAR 1

• COMPULSORY
  CLAS0006 Interpreting Latin Literature (15 credits)
  30 credits of Latin (LATN-) modules
  15 credits of modules from Greek and Latin (GREK-, LATN-, CLAS- and approved modules from History, Archaeology or Philosophy) - this may be substituted with a 15 credit ELCS module (in which case a further ELCS elective can only be taken from the modern language side of your degree in Year 2)

YEAR 2

• COMPULSORY

  CLAS0020 Classics and Literary Theory (15 credits)
  30 credits of Latin (LATN-) modules
  15 credits of modules from Greek and Latin (GREK-, LATN-, CLAS- and approved modules from History, Archaeology or Philosophy) - this may be substituted with a 15 credit ELCS module (only if you did not take an ELCS elective from the Latin side of your degree in Year 1)

YEAR 3

• COMPULSORY

  30 credits of Latin (LATN-) modules
  30 credits of modules from Greek and Latin (GREK-, LATN-, CLAS- and approved modules from History, Archaeology or Philosophy)

BA Languages and Culture

BA Languages and Culture

• Ancient World: all modules
• These rules refer to the Greek/Latin side of your degree:

YEAR 1

• COMPULSORY

  30 credits of Latin (LATN-) or Greek (GREK-) modules
  Plus, if Latin/Greek is your main language
  15 credits of modules from Greek and Latin (GREK-, LATN-, CLAS- and approved modules from History, Archaeology or Philosophy)

YEAR 2

• COMPULSORY

  30 credits of Latin (LATN-) or Greek (GREK-) modules
  15 credits of modules from Greek and Latin (GREK-, LATN-, CLAS- and approved modules from History, Archaeology or Philosophy) (this is optional if Latin/Greek is your second language.)

YEAR 4

• COMPULSORY (only if Latin/Greek is your main language)

  30 credits of Latin (LATN-) or Greek (GREK-) modules
  15 credits of modules from Greek and Latin (GREK-, LATN-, CLAS- and approved modules from History, Archaeology or Philosophy)

• If Latin/Greek is your second language, you may take up to 60 credits of modules from the relevant language (LATN- or GREK-

BA Latin or Greek and English

BA Latin and English | BA Greek and English

These three-year degree programmes offer students the opportunity to study Latin or Greek and English in parallel, and to gain knowledge of two diverse bodies of language, literature and culture, and the relations between them. The programmes allow students to develop their skills in criticism and expression, cultural self-awareness and comparison. The degree is administered by the Department of Greek and Latin, with teaching shared equally between Greek and Latin and the English Department.

YEAR 1

• COMPULSORY

  30 credits of Latin or Greek at a level appropriate to your experience (LATN**** / GREK****);
  CLAS0005 Interpreting Greek Literature or CLAS0006 Interpreting Latin Literature; 15 credits from Greek and Latin courses at the appropriate level, either in the original or in translation ENGL0047 Narrative Texts and ENGL0052 Intellectual and Cultural Sources

YEAR 2

• COMPULSORY

  30 credits of Latin or Greek at a level appropriate to your experience (LATN**** / GREK****); CLAS0020 Classics and Literary Theory (15 credits).
  60 credits at level 5 or above from the wide range of second- and third-year modules available in UCL English (excluding Critical Commentary and Analysis) OR 30 credits from English and CLAS0147 Classical Poetry and its Reception in English Literature (if running). Students on this degree programme may not take elective modules in other departments.

• OPTIONAL
  15 credits from all Greek and Latin modules, either in the original or in translation; 60 credits of modules from the wide range of second- and third-year courses available in UCL English (excluding Critical Commentary and Analysis). Students on this degree programme may not take elective modules in other departments.

YEAR 3

• COMPULSORY

  30 credits of Latin or Greek at a level appropriate to your experience (LATN**** / GREK****); 15 credits Latin or Greek and English extended essay (GREK0012/LATN0012). 
  CLAS0147 Classical Poetry and its Reception in English Literature (30 credits) may also be taken as part of the 30 classics credits, in cases where students’ extended essay (GREK0012 or LATN0012) has a significant element of analysis of Greek or Latin texts in the original language, and therefore is deemed to fulfil the requirement for 15 of the 30 compulsory GREK****/LATN*** credits

• OPTIONAL
  15 credits from all Greek and Latin modules, either in the original or in translation, at level 5 or above; 60 credits at level 5 or above from the wide range of second- and third-year modules available in UCL English (excluding Critical Commentary and Analysis) OR 30 credits from English and CLAS0147 Classical Poetry and its Reception in English Literature (if running). Students on this degree programme may not take elective modules in other departments.

Recommended modules outside of Department of Greek and Latin

• All modules offered in the Department of Greek and Latin qualify as belonging to the Ancient World or Classics subject areas.
• Modules in affiliated Departments in the Ancient World or Classics subject areas are listed at Ancient World: All Modules (and see the indicative list below with explanations).
• Modules in other departments which are outside the Ancient World or Classics subject areas must be taken as elective options.

Please note:

• Students may also take appropriate modules at King's College London with the permission of their programme director (modules which are outside the Ancient World or Classics subject areas must be taken as elective options).
• The below list is indicative and not all modules run every year. Please use the UCL module catalogue where you can search for the wide range of available modules by Department, level, term and keyword.