Careers and Employability Service
Services for current students

Classics

Classics.7215 

Studying classics, classical civilisation and ancient history can open up a huge variety of career opportunities.

You will develop skills and abilities that make you very versatile in the graduate job market and over the years, graduates have pursued varied career pathways ranging from heritage to finance.

Learn more about your career options and how we can support you on your journey

 

What skills will I gain during my degree?

The skills gained from studying classics subjects are transferable to a wide range of areas which means that graduates can, and do enter a diverse range of roles and sectors.

A classics graduate typically will have the following skills:

  • ability to absorb complex information, analyse and draw conclusions
  • reflection, critical thinking and reasoning
  • ability to formulate arguments to present in both the spoken and written word
  • work autonomously and collaborate with others through group tasks
  • time management and organisation
  • presentation
  • professional communication

It is important that you can talk about these skills on application forms and in interviews.

 

What are my career options?

Did you know that 70% of jobs requiring a degree do not specify a particular subject?

Many graduate employers will recruit students from any discipline into a wide range of careers and classics students are well placed to be very competitive in the job market.

In the past few years, classics graduates who seek employment have found themselves in a diverse range of roles with major employers and professions. Examples include:

  • education
  • recruitment
  • retail
  • marketing and public relations
  • heritage
  • finance
  • the police
  • local and national government
  • media, and 
  • charities
  • PR, publishing and media
  • accountancy and business

It is true to say that many classics graduates (and other subjects) take some time building their career through a series of roles to get to a specific career where they want to be or even to decide what job suits them.

This could be due to a variety of reasons for example:  the sector they want to enter requires an entry-level position (for example: heritage, media roles and publishing) or they are saving up to fund a postgraduate course or travel and therefore their first destination is a stop gap.

Career paths - explore roles and sectors

Prospects - for career options and job profiles

 

Hear from Nottingham alumni

Miriam Zendle, Digital Content Manager

Miriam Zendle

Find out more about Miriam's career path

Miriam Zendle graduated with a BA Hons in Classical Civilisation in 2007 and currently works as a Digital Content Manager for the British Society for Rheumatology.

She’s also a freelance writer, editor and yoga teacher. She talked to us about how extracurricular activities can shape a future career and about how she coped with graduating into a recession.

 

What are my further study options?

Around a third of graduates leaving classics courses enrol in further study within six months of graduating.

Some study higher degrees in classics and related areas while others take vocational training courses to enter professions such as teaching, health and law.

Postgraduate study or training can allow you to:

  • develop your skills and current subject knowledge further
  • enter certain careers by building expertise in a specific subject
  • switch careers, by training or building skills in a new subject

It's important to understand your reasons for studying at postgraduate level and to research opportunities and the value of postgraduate study in your sector before applying.

Masters funding is available (eligibility criteria exists) in the form of a postgraduate loan, but you can only access this funding once hence the importance of choosing your course carefully. If you'd like to talk this through with an adviser, arrange an appointment to speak to us.

Careers blog: Thinking About Postgraduate Study?

Find out more about further study

 

How can I build my skills and experience?

The opportunities listed are primarily aimed at current students living in the Nottingham area. If you are well into your final year, graduated or are no longer in Nottingham, you can access work and volunteering options in your home area.

Depending on your location and what you want to do, your strategy to develop your skills and experience may vary. You are welcome to have a chat with us, so just arrange an appointment.

Work experience and volunteering

Depending on what area of work or role you might be interested in, and where, there will be specific strategies, from speculative applications to formal processes you need to be familiar with.

Work experience - what, how and when

Nottingham Internship Scheme

We work closely with a huge variety of local and national businesses to bring you an exciting range of internship opportunities, for both current students and recent graduates.

 

Nottingham Consultancy Challenge

The Nottingham Consultancy Challenge offers the chance for you to gain hands-on experience of managing a short term project for a local business or charity as part of a multi-disciplinary team.  

 

Nottingham Advantage Award

The Nottingham Advantage Award offers interesting extracurricular modules to develop and reflect on your employability. With over more than 200 modules across our three campus in the UK, China and Malaysia.

 

Students' Union

The Students’ Union offers a wide range of volunteering options both locally and internationally which you can fit around your studies.

Alternatively you could get involved in a society or sports club - there's so many, you're bound to find one that interests you!

 

Working with young people

There are three initiatives which will give you the opportunity to work in a local educational setting.  These initiatives support the academic attainment and raise the aspirations of primary and secondary pupils, whilst developing the skills and employability of those involved. 

These are excellent opportunities for students considering teaching, youth work or community engagement as a career.

 

Exchange programmes overseas

Undertake an exchange semester in another country and broaden your horizons. Talk to your tutors and find out more about the programmes available from the International Office.

 

Optional placement year

You can now undertake an optional placement year as part of your degree at the end of your penultimate year of study. The placement can be aligned to your degree discipline or related to your career aspirations.  Speak to a career adviser or your school for more information.

If you are no longer at Nottingham, you can access work and volunteering opportunities at home. Depending on your location and what you want to do, your strategy may vary so come and speak to us or arrange a telephone appointment.

 

Developing your digital skills

Digital skills are highly valued by employers. Develop your skills through volunteering, online courses through Google or providers such as FutureLearn, or by getting involved in the Digital Marketing Academy.

If you're not sure where to start, begin by assessing your digital capability and identifying your next steps.

 
 

Please be aware that study abroad, compulsory year abroad, optional placements/internships and integrated year in industry opportunities may change at any time for a number of reasons, including curriculum developments, changes to arrangements with partner universities or placement/industry hosts, travel restrictions or other circumstances outside of the university's control. Every effort will be made to update this information as quickly as possible should a change occur.

How can I prepare for making job applications?

We can help you with all stages of the application, from reviewing your CV and/or application form to interview coaching and assessment centre practice.

Many graduate recruiters also use psychometric tests during the recruitment and selection process. They are common across all sectors and career fields. Practise will really help your performance.

 
 

 

Careers and Employability Service

University of Nottingham
Portland Building, Level D
University Park
Nottingham, NG7 2RD

telephone: +44 (0) 115 951 3680
fax: +44 (0) 115 951 3679
email: careers-team@nottingham.ac.uk