Classics, BA (Hons)

Classics at Cambridge

Classics covers the history, culture, archaeology, art, philosophy and linguistics of classical antiquity. You will also study original texts and artefacts.

You can either specialise in a particular field or study a range of different topics.

Our 3-year course is for you if:

• you have Latin A level or IB Higher Level (or equivalent). If you have little or no Classical Greek, we offer an intensive ancient Greek programme
• you have Classical Greek A level or IB Higher Level (or equivalent) but not Latin. But you may be advised to take the 4-year degree, depending on your circumstances.

Our 4-year course is for you if:

• you have little or no Latin. The first year will focus on Latin language, Classical topics, and an introduction to Ancient Greek. The second, third and fourth years are identical to the 3-year course.

For advice, contact our Faculty of Classics or your College admissions office.

Teaching, facilities and resources

Teaching

The Faculty of Classics has an exceptional reputation for teaching and research.

Facilities

Faculty of Classics facilities include:

• Faculty of Classics library, well-stocked with collections on the Classical world of ancient Greece and Rome
• our own Museum of Classical Archaeology
• Fitzwilliam Museum, where some classes take place, with half a million beautiful works of art, masterpiece paintings and historical artefacts

You'll also have access to the impressive Cambridge University Library, one of the world’s oldest university libraries.

Resources

We have:

• a thriving student society
• the renowned Cambridge Greek Play (produced in the original language) which is regularly staged by a professional director
• undergraduate prizes, bursaries and travel grants

Watch the video to find out what a day in the life of a Cambridge Classics student is like:

Course costs

When you go to university, you’ll need to consider two main costs – your tuition fees and your living costs (sometimes referred to as maintenance costs).

Your living costs will include costs related to your studies that are not covered by your tuition fees. There are some general study costs that will apply for all students – you can find details of these costs here.

There are are no compulsory additional course costs for Classics. Optional costs are detailed below.

Books and set texts

There is no expectation to buy books, but if you would like your own copies of the most used/referenced material, we estimate it would cost £350 to buy the books new. This is not a compulsory cost as core material is available in our library and in the College libraries.

Field trips

There are archaeological fieldwork opportunities which vary from year to year. These are all optional and all costs are met by the Faculty.

Your future career

Studying Classics will help you develop transferable skills that are essential for many careers after graduation.

Many graduates go into research and teaching in schools and universities, or work in libraries, museums and heritage organisations.

Some graduates go into other careers in:

• the charity sector
• law
• media
• accountancy
• Civil Service
• industry and business

Our graduates include:

• novelists
• politicians
• bankers
• barristers
• solicitors
• actors and comedians
• musicians
• theatrical artistic directors