Skip to main content

Classical Studies BA Honours

  • UCAS code: Q810
  • Full time
  • 3 years

Explore the rich heritage and diverse cultures of ancient Greece and Rome – from literature and art to religion and science – and discover their impact on the modern world.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year: 2024-25


Next start date:

  • September 2024

Fees (per year)

  • Home: £9250
  • International: £21000

Entry requirements and offers

  • A-Level: ABB
  • IB: 32 points

UCAS Institution name and code:

  • NEWC / N21

Course overview

Immerse yourself in the study of the Greek and Roman world on this three-year Classical Studies BA Honours degree. You'll focus on developing your knowledge of how ancient societies thought about and presented their world through culture.

Exploring everything from literature, history and art, to science, architecture and religion, you'll learn about the impact Classical tradition has had on Western civilisation. You'll also learn about the range of approaches available to study it.

Alongside core modules in Greek and Roman literature, you'll explore a variety of topics, including Greek and Roman religion, slavery in Greco-Roman Antiquity, the life and afterlife of Alexander the Great, and the ‘reception’ of the Greek and Roman past in modern cinema. 

You will have the opportunity to study ancient Greek and Latin language, from beginners’ to advanced level. You will also choose to specialise in subject areas of interest to you, preparing you for a broad range of employment opportunities in a wide variety of fields.

READ MORE

Students working over a laptop and books

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

We lay the foundation for thinking about and approaching the Greek and Roman past, through two compulsory modules introducing you to broad aspects of Greek and Latin literature, with a focus on key texts from Classical Athens and the Roman Republic.

For your four optional modules you can choose from:

  • Greek and Latin language
  • ancient philosophy
  • Greek and Roman history
  • classical art and archaeology

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
The World of Latin Literature 20
Tragedy, Comedy, History: The World of Greek Literature 20
Optional Modules Credits
The Archaeology of Britain from the Romans to the 20th Century 20
Greek and Roman Art and Archaeology 20
How Should I Live? An Introduction to Ancient Philosophy 20
Beginners' Greek in Action 1 20
Beginners' Greek in Action 2 20
Intermediate Greek Language and Literature 1 20
Intermediate Greek Language and Literature 2 20
West meets East: Greek History and Society 20
The Roman World from Romulus to Trajan 20
Beginners' Latin in Action 1 20
Beginners' Latin in Action 2 20
Intermediate Latin Language and Literature 1 20
Intermediate Latin Language and Literature 2 20
Slavery 20
Stuff: living in a material world 20
Global Ancient Histories 20

You will undertake a dedicated research training module, ‘Researching the Classics’, which places emphasis on helping you to develop your abilities to pursue independent research, in preparation for Stage 3.

The rest of your modules can be chosen from a wide selection of topics relating to Greek and Latin literature, Greek and Roman history or archaeology, including options to learn Greek and Latin language.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Researching the Classics 20
Optional Modules Credits
Aegean Prehistory 20
Archaeologies of the Roman Empire: The Roman World from Augustus to Justinian 20
History, Literature and Truth: the case of the ancient historians 20
Epic Journeys: The Odyssey and Homeric Epic (stage 2) 20
Approaches to Greek Mythology 20
Dreams and Dreaming in the Ancient World 20
Body and Medicine in the Graeco-Roman World 20
Level 2 Greek: Interpretation of Texts 20
Level 2 Greek: Special Study 20
Hellenistic Empires from Alexander to Cleopatra 20
The Roman World from Hadrian to Heraclius 20
Greek and Roman Religions 20
Slavery in Greco-Roman antiquity 20
Level 2 Latin: Interpretation of Texts 20
Level 2 Latin: Special Study 20
Greece from ancient times to the 21st century: Interdisciplinary approaches to the study of the past 20
Communication in the Medieval World, from Europe to Asia: Prayer, Poetry, Pictures, and Travel 20
Diversities of Sexuality and Gender in History 20
The Mediterranean: a connected past 20
HaSS Study Abroad Semester 1 60 Credits 60
HaSS Study Abroad Semester 2 60 credits 60
Career Development for second year students 20
You only take one of the following modules if you undertake the Study Abroad exchange programme:

You'll undertake a major research project – a dissertation on a topic of your choosing – for which you'll be guided and supervised by an expert member of the academic staff.

You'll choose four further optional modules from a diverse range of topics such as:

  • human dissection in antiquity
  • dining
  • dreaming
  • epic
  • rhetoric
  • Herodotus
  • Classical Athens
  • Roman Egypt
  • the Fall of the Roman Republic, plus an ancient language (Greek or Latin)

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Dissertation 40
Optional Modules Credits
Archaeologies of the Middle Sea: An Armchair Voyage Across the Prehistoric Mediterranean 20
Regionality and the Fall of Rome 20
Sex, bodies and identities in Classical Greece 20
History, Literature and Truth: the case of the ancient historians: Stage 3 20
Epic Journeys: The Odyssey and Homeric Epic (stage 3) 20
Approaches to Greek Mythology 20
Dreams and Dreaming in the Ancient World 20
Body and Medicine in the Graeco-Roman World 20
Level 2 Greek: Interpretation of Texts 20
Level 2 Greek: Special Study 20
Level 3 Greek: Interpretation of Texts 20
Level 3 Greek: Special Study 20
City of Athens: Power, Society and Culture 20
Celluloid History (Stage 3) 20
'Like ants or frogs around the pond': Mobility and Identity in the Greek Mediterranean 20
Roman Egypt 20
Rome: the Enemy 20
Gods in the Material World: Religion and Material Culture in Greece, Egypt and Mesopotamia 2000BC-338BC 20
Level 2 Latin: Interpretation of Texts 20
Level 2 Latin: Special Study 20
Level 3 Latin: Interpretation of Texts 20
Level 3 Latin: Special Study 20
Living Together: Christians, Muslims and Jews in Medieval Iberia 20
Career Development for final year students 20

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

You'll be taught through a range of teaching methods and activities, including: 

  • lectures
  • seminars
  • workshops
  • tutorials
  • film-screenings

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

  • Assignments – written or fieldwork

  • Coursework

  • Dissertation or research project

  • Essays

  • Presentations

Skills and experience

Practical skills

During your degree, you will have the chance to take part in extracurricular field trips that take advantage of the North East's rich history such as:

  • the nearby World Heritage Site of Hadrian's Wall
  • the classically inspired Belsay Hall
  • Wallington Hall

You will be able to take advantage of the resources of the Great North Museum, with its extensive ancient collections. 

These practical experiences complement your understanding of the topics you are studying, allowing you to analyse and interpret artefacts, and carry out research using a wide range of archives.

Business skills

You'll gain practical skills and experience working with the outstanding Greek, Roman and Etruscan collections and antiquities at the Great North Museum: Hancock.

Research skills

You’ll have the opportunity to apply for a scholarship to spend the summer following your second year working alongside academic staff on your research project.

In your final year, using the skills developed during your degree, you’ll write a dissertation on a topic of your own choosing. During this, you’ll hone your investigative skills as you undertake independent research with access to extensive print and electronic resources, as well as archives and special collections.

Chat to a student

Opportunities

Study abroad

Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.

You have the opportunity to study abroad in either Stage 2 or 3. You can study in an EU country as part of a study abroad exchange or further afield.

Find out more about study abroad.

Work placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year.  Placements are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements.

Facilities and environment

Facilities

You'll be based in the School of History, Classics and Archaeology, located at the heart of campus in the historic Armstrong Building. Here you'll have access to excellent study resources including:

  • the Philip Robinson University Library, which houses over 800,000 books and provides access to ca. 1.8m e-books
  • the Library of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle

You'll also have access to our on-campus Great North Museum. This houses an extensive collection of Greek, Roman, and Etruscan artefacts, including:

  • the Shefton collection of Greek Art and Archaeology
  • an impressive coin collection
  • material from Late Period Egypt

Support

You'll be welcomed into a vibrant and supportive community. We will ensure you are well placed to achieve your highest potential and are equipped for career success.

You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.

Your future

You'll develop a mix of practical, intellectual and transferable skills desirable to employers. This will give you an excellent choice of further study and career opportunities open to you on completion of your studies.

Classics graduates find themselves in a diverse range of careers, including:

  • research, information work and IT
  • law and legal services
  • journalism and marketing
  • retail
  • social work

Make a difference

Sorry, you need JavaScript to view this video

Careers support

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2024 entry.

A-Level
International Baccalaureate

Other UK and the Republic of Ireland qualifications

Contextual Offers

Through one of our contextual routes, you could receive an offer of up to three grades lower than the typical requirements.

What is a contextual offer? Find out more and if you’re eligible for this or our PARTNERS Programme supported entry route.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English Language requirements

Entrance courses (INTO)

International Pathway Courses are specialist programmes designed for international students who want to study in the UK. We provide a range of study options for international students in partnership with INTO. 

Find out more about International Pathway Courses

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course.

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

Qualification: BA Honours

Home students

full time 3 years

Tuition fees (per year)

9250

International students

full time 3 years

Tuition fees (per year)

21000

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

Scholarships

Find out more about:

Open days and events

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

  • the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
  • the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
  • the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages

Get in touch

By phone

Call us on +44 (0) 191 208 3333 and press option 1. Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 10am until 4pm.

Live chat

Our NCL chatbot might be able to give you an answer straight away. If not, it’ll direct you to someone who can help.

You'll find our NCL chatbot in the bottom right of this page.

Online

Fill in our enquiry form

Keep updated

We regularly send email updates and extra information about the University.

Social Media

You may be interested in