Ancient History and Latin BA

Course overview

This course combines the learning of Latin to a high level of proficiency with the systematic study of a range of topics in Greek and Roman history, culture and society. You will study Latin language in all three years. Those of you with A level Latin will start on advanced language and literature modules, whereas those without will take language modules at an appropriate level.

Year one 

You will begin language work designed to bring you up to a high standard of fluency and study two core survey modules which give you an integrated introduction to the history and culture of Greece and Rome and their reception. Alongside, you will study three further modules going into more depth on methods, sources and approaches in the areas of history, literature and art - each building up skills in different types of assessment.

Year two

Your second year combines a wide range of optional modules exploring ancient history and society with an extended source study to prepare you for third-year dissertation work. Our independent module ISYP encourages an innovative (often creative) project on your own choice of subject. Further language modules allow you to read a wide range of texts and study them in their historical and literary contexts.

Year three

You will do a special subject in Latin, which involves detailed, in-depth study of a particular topic, based on a member of staff's research interest (taught in seminars) and develop and pursue your own interests through a 10,000-word dissertation on any area of ancient history. Optional modules complete the year.

Entry requirements

A levels: AAB

English language requirements 

IELTS 7.0 (no less than 6.0 in any element)

TOEFL iBT 100 (no less than 21 in listening and writing, 22 in reading and 23 in speaking)

Alternative requirements 

For details please see the alternative qualifications page 

Modules

The modules we offer are inspired by the research interests of our staff and as a result, may change from year to year. The following list is therefore subject to change but should give you a flavour of the modules we offer.

 

Typical year-one modules

• Studying the Greek World
• Interpreting Ancient Art
• Interpreting Ancient History
• Interpreting Ancient Literature
• Studying the Roman World

Typical year-two modules

• Extended Source Study in Ancient History

Typical year-three modules

Please see optional modules below or contact the Department for more information.

 

Typical optional modules

• Sex, Lies and Violence: Battles of the Athenian Lawcourts
• Roman Dining
• Virgil and the Epic Tradition
• The Roman Empire in the East
• The Greek Countryside: Agriculture and Settlement
• Euripides: Experiments in Tragedy
• Understanding Ancient Sculpture
• Visual Mythology
• Slavery in Roman Society
• Greeks and Barbarians: Connected Histories
   

Skills and careers

You will have developed your Latin language skills to a high level, have a broad knowledge of periods of ancient history and an in-depth understanding of your specific areas of interest. You will leave the course with transferable skills including oral and written communication skills, the ability to learn a new language, to construct a logical argument and to synthesise and evaluate information and opinions.

Average starting salary 

The average starting salary for 2009/10 full-time graduates of the Department of Classics was £16,950.00.*

*Average starting salary from known destinations of first-degree leavers who studied full-time, 2009/10.