Classics and the Ancient World BA
London, Bloomsbury
Classics and the Ancient World BA (2024)
This flexible degree programme with three different routes offers the opportunity to develop expertise in one or more ancient languages, from Ancient Greek, Latin, Sanskrit, Hittite, Akkadian or Sumerian.
In addition, the programme provides an opportunity to study the ancient world in a broad sense, alongside an in-depth study of aspects of ancient literature, philosophy, history and archaeology.
Study mode
Duration
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
Programme starts
September 2025Application deadline
29 Jan 2025UCAS course code
Entry requirements
- Grades
- AAB
- Subjects
- Language and Literature route: Ancient/Classical Greek or Latin at grade A required; Literature, History, Archaeology route: no subject requirements; Ancient Middle Eastern Studies route: no subject requirements.
- GCSEs
- English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 4.
Contextual offer information
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Contextual offers are typically one to two grades lower than the standard offer. Grade and subject requirements for contextual offers for this programme will be published in Summer 2024.
- Points
- 36
- Subjects
- A total of 17 points in three higher level subjects with no higher level score below 5. Language and Literature route: Ancient/Classical Greek or Latin at higher level grade 6 required; Literature, History, Archaeology route: No subject requirements; Ancient Middle Eastern Studies route: No subject requirements.
Contextual offer
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Contextual offers are typically one to two grade boundaries (equivalent to A levels) lower than the standard offer. IB Diploma grade and subject requirements for contextual offers for this programme will be published in Summer 2024.
UK applicants qualifications
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
Equivalent qualification
Pass in Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 30 credits at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit, all from Level 3 units. Please note, where subject specific requirements are stipulated at A level we may review your Access to HE syllabus to ensure you meet the subject specific requirements prior to a final decision being communicated.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
D3,D3,M1 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects, including Latin or Greek at D3
A,A,B at Advanced Highers (or A,A at Advanced Higher and B,B,B at Higher), including Latin or Greek at grade A at Advanced Higher.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades AAB, including Latin or Greek.
International applications
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
Access and widening participation
UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates
The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.
Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.
For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.
English language requirements
The English language level for this programme is: Level 3
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Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.
A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
Course overview
The main focus of this programme is the study of ancient languages and literature in the context of all aspects of the ancient world in its full chronological, geographical and methodological range.
Students will be able to develop a sophisticated approach to the ancient world, expressing their own ideas in essays for individual modules and a final-year dissertation.
The compulsory modules ensure a broad understanding of the ancient world and familiarity with at least one ancient language, and some involve research skills training.
The wide range of optional modules includes ancient language and literature, philosophy and science, ancient history and the various branches of archaeology.
The programme also allows you to take modules from outside the area of Classics and the Ancient World, for example in medieval or modern history, history of science or computing. In Years two and three, candidates may take up to 30 credits (in total) of modules entirely outside the Classics field of study.
What this course will give you
UCL is ranked in the top seven universities in the UK for Classics by the Guardian University Guide 2024.
You will have access to an unparalleled range of options, from Roman Love Poetry to Greek Palaeography, from Ancient Greek Religion to Roman Epic, from Hittite to Egyptian Archaeology.
UCL has excellent library facilities, and is ideally situated close to world-renowned resources such as the British Museum, the British Library and the Institute of Classical Studies.
The lively student-run Classics Society organises an annual Classical play (a Greek or Latin drama in translation), which is shown at the Bloomsbury Theatre, as well as other events.
Teaching and learning
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded a BA (Hons) in Classics and the Ancient World.
Modules
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.
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In the first year, all students on this degree programme will take the compulsory module ‘Approaches to Studying Classics and the Ancient World’, which will introduce you to all the sub-disciplines of study of the Ancient World: the term ‘Classics’ and its definition, the history or scholarship, methods and approaches in each subfield, key reference works and databases as well as research skills.
Across all years of study, you will take a certain number of modules in the areas of language and literature. In the final year, supported by a tutor, you will write a final-year dissertation on a topic of your choice and in line with the specialism of your programme route.
There are three specialist routes of entry for this programme:
Route 1: Language and LiteratureThis route is for those who have already studied ancient Greek and/or Latin and would like to further their knowledge of ancient languages and literatures. This route focuses on the study of ancient Greek and Latin as well as of the great literature in these languages. This study takes place in the context of a broad survey of all aspects of the ancient world in its full chronological, geographical and methodological range. A wide variety of options enables specialisation on the
various aspects of the subject.
Route 2: Literature, History, ArchaeologyThis route is for you if you are new to the study of ancient languages, but are keen to explore the history, culture and archaeology of the ancient world, alongside learning at least one ancient language. This route gives the freedom to range around the ancient world, taking options on the better-known ancient civilisations in Greece and Rome as well as the lesser-known but equally impressive ancient Middle Eastern cultures. These civilisations will be studied from multiple angles, through the lenses of literature, history, archaeology and cultural studies. After a broad introduction in the first year, it is possible to specialise in one of these scholarly areas.
Route 3: Middle Eastern Studies
This route provides an in-depth study of the Ancient Middle East, covering the languages, history and archaeology of the area, within the context of a general study of the ancient world. This focus enables the exploration of a different part of the ancient world in comparison with the more standard focus on ancient Greece and Rome, and offers a unique combination in terms of breadth and particular specialisation. Within the context of Ancient Middle Eastern studies, it is possible for you to concentrate on particular languages and cultures.
Please see the Greek and Latin departmental page for specific details about the compulsory modules for each route.
Optional modules
Compulsory modules
Your learning
You will be taught through lectures, seminars and small-group work. Some modules involve direct study of artefacts including access to the collections of the British Museum.
Approximately 33% of your time will be spent in lectures and seminars and the remainder in independent study.
Assessment
Most modules combine both in-course continuous assessment and end-of-year written examinations. Some modules are assessed solely by one of these methods.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team.
The foundation of your career
The BA Classics and the Ancient World is a rigorous and broad-ranging degree which qualifies you for a remarkably wide variety of jobs. The Department and the Classics Society host regular talks from former students, which may help guide you in your future career choices.
Career destinations in recent years have included: graduate study, teaching, law, computing, accountancy, marketing, banking, music (classical and popular), acting, the media, business, the voluntary sector, local government and politics.
Employability
Knowledge of ancient languages allows you to develop mental agility and versatility, equipping you with the ability to learn modern languages with comparative ease, opening up a wide range of careers for the future.
Fees and funding
Fees for this course
| Fee description | Full-time |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees (2024/25) | £9,250 |
| Tuition fees (2024/25) | £28,100 |
The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2024/25 academic year. The UK fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2024/25 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.
Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.
Additional costs
The department strives to keep additional costs low. There may be site visits within central London, incurring travel and entry costs. Some modules may require the purchase of specific books. Module descriptions and recommended texts are outlined each year on the Greek and Latin website, normally from February of the preceding academic year.
A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).
Funding your studies
Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.
Scholarships
The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.
Next steps
Your application
We seek to select candidates who, in addition to academic achievement, have the motivation and passion for language learning, for close textual analysis, for inter-cultural inquiry, and who have a deep commitment to developing and finessing their language proficiency to an advanced level.
How to apply
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
Selection
For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.
Each application is carefully assessed. Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants will be asked to specify their preferred route on receipt of application. Offer holders will be invited to an open day, which will include a Q&A with staff and current students where applicants can discuss the degree programme, studying at UCL, living in London, and take a tour of the campus.
Got questions? Get in touch
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