BA (Hons) Classical Studies with a Foundation Year

Course Overview

Classical Studies with a foundation year focuses on the literature of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds, along with the cultures that created it. Studying this three-year BA degree will allow you to read all kinds of texts in translation from around the ancient Mediterranean and develop an understanding of Greek and Roman culture from the archaic period to the fall of the Roman Empire and beyond. You will explore the stories and mythology of Greece and Rome and learn how to perform close analysis with an eye for detail. You may investigate familiar texts, such as epics and tragedies, as well as often overlooked genres from the ancient world, including novels and satire.

The foundation year gives you an exciting introduction to higher education, exploring the humanities and social sciences before progressing to the full degree programme. It’s ideal if you need a little more support after further education or if you are returning to education after a gap.

While the ancient materials you will study might appear distant from the present day, they have influenced and interacted with western and global cultures right up to now. You will be able to access cultural artefacts which illuminate Greek and Roman history and society, architecture and archaeology, warfare and empire, gender and religion, philosophy, politics and economics–or learn about ancient Egypt (as ancient to the Greeks as those peoples are to us). You can also learn how to develop new, cutting-edge research on marvellous old things.

As part of single honours Classical Studies, you could also opt to pursue one of six more specific dedicated pathways: Greek, Latin, Classics (which is both Greek and Latin), Egyptology, English Literature, and Philosophy.