Classical Studies,BA (Hons)

BA Classical Studies is a particularly diverse and stimulating degree, in which you explore the culture, history, archaeology, philosophy and literature of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds. You will gain valuable expertise in developing and communicating arguments based on the diverse, complex remains from the ancient world, understanding the limits of our knowledge but also how to push them further. You will also focus on how studying the Classical world, with all its attractive and disturbing features, can radically transform debates about key contemporary issues, such as:

• democracy
• inequality
• gender and sexuality.

Why choose this course?

• You can tailor this course to suit your interests and needs from a wide range of options, covering Greek and Roman culture and society across the Mediterranean and Near East, from Homer to the Roman Empire, and the impact of Classical culture in later periods of history.
• You will benefit throughout your degree from close personal tuition, mentoring and supervision from leading Classicists.
• At Birkbeck we believe that the study of the Classical world should be accessible to all. Many of our students have no prior knowledge of either Greek or Latin. You can study ancient Greek and/or Latin flexibly, to suit your needs: one language module is compulsory, and you can also choose (if you wish) to develop your language skills to a higher level.
• You will benefit from our close links, in teaching and research, with London museums and archaeological excavations across the Greco-Roman world, such as in our module The World of Rome in the Museums of London.

What you will learn

You will gain an advanced understanding of two ancient cultures which have shaped the modern world, but were also radically different from it. This will equip you for careers connected with the ancient world, such as in teaching, research, museums or heritage, but also with a whole new way of thinking about society, politics, education, literature and culture, which you can apply in many other different fields, such as law, business or the civil service.

You will master the wide range of methods and sources, including texts (ancient plays, speeches and laws) and archaeological remains, needed to reconstruct the ancient world. This will give you advanced skills, much desired by many employers, in analysis, argument and communication. You will also learn to understand, but also question, accepted narratives of ancient history and culture and their later impact, which will help you to develop your ability to construct and present a persuasive argument. 

You will deepen your understanding of how language works, from grammar to its impact on society. This will transform your communication skills.

This course also offers you the opportunity to pursue an interest in environment studies by choosing option modules on the environment and environmental law to graduate with a BA Classical Studies with Environmental Studies.

How you will learn

You will benefit from attentive instruction from lecturers, all specialist researchers on the ancient world, through seminar teaching and mentoring. We place an emphasis on vibrant seminar discussion, enlivened by the diverse perspectives and experience of Birkbeck students. Language teaching in small groups provides the perfect context to make progress in Greek and/or Latin.

In your final year, you will devise your own research project for the dissertation, supervised by one of our specialists.

This course is available to study full- or part-time. It has an evening timetable with lectures, seminars and classes taking place in the evening.

Foundation Year

If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. Find out everything you need to know about Foundation Years.