Have you ever wondered what it was like to live in the ancient world? Are you fascinated by what the civilisations of the past can teach us about the present?
The BA (Hons) Classical Civilisation offers you a broad and varied exploration of the society and culture of ancient Greece and Rome, and their importance for us today. You can also tailor the course to focus on particular areas that interest you.
There is no requirement to study Greek or Latin, but if you are keen to do so or if you think you might like to try it out, the course includes that option.
You will be welcome to attend an extensive programme of research-related activities in the department, including research seminars, public lectures from high-profile guest speakers, and events organised by the student-run Classics Society.
You will explore the world of the ancient Greeks and Romans from a variety of perspectives. You will be introduced to some of the issues involved in translating ancient literature for our own times. You will also have a wide choice of other content to study embracing the literature, art, history, philosophy and archaeology of the Greeks and Romans.
Course structure
Year 1 modules
Core modules:
Introduction to the Greek World
examines ancient Greek history, society and thought. It will introduce you to the central themes, topics and terminology in the study of Archaic and Classical Greece, and equip you to use the basic intellectual resources available to assist that study.
Monuments and Memory in the Age of Augustus
provides you with an introduction to Roman history and culture and Latin literature, which will also serve as a basis for your further study in these areas. You will investigate a central, transitional epoch in the history of ancient Rome, from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Language, Translation and Interpretation
helps you engage with Greek and Latin texts, and introduces you to the cultural, anthropological and literary implications of translation. You will learn to assess the role of translations in the study of the classical past by looking at detailed comparisons between different translations of classical texts.
Early Greek Philosophy
introduces you to the theories and beliefs of thinkers from the Greek world, active in the late Archaic and Classical periods. You will learn what answers they gave to the Big Questions: what is the world made of? What makes us human? and more.
Optional modules:
Beginners Latin or Greek
Lives of Objects
Empire and Religion in the Age of Constantine
Year 2 modules
Core modules:
Traditions of Epic
enables you to study representative examples of Greek and Roman epic, including its role as a device for recording and remembering lives and events, and you will explore the ways in which the genre developed, in ancient Greece and Rome and beyond.
Optional modules:
Ancient Political Thought and Action
Beauty & Goodness
Comedy & Tragedy, Laughter & Sorrow
Emperors and Dynasties
Theatre and Spectacle in Ancient Rome
Myths of Transformation in Ovid's Metamorphoses
Greek Art & Architecture
Roman Buildings and Their Decoration
Alexandria
Classical Receptions and Contemporary Cultures
Dialogues with Antiquity
Living in the Classical World
The City of Athens
Beginners, Intermediate, or Advanced Greek and/or Latin language.
Year 3 modules
Core modules:
Dissertation
The dissertation is a significant piece of work in which you research and analyse a topic in depth and write your findings and conclusions.
Optional modules:
Greeks and Persians (c. 560-336 BC)
The Later Roman Empire
The Origins of Civilisation
Comedy and Tragedy, Laughter and Sorrow
Sing Me, O Muse
Writing Alexander
Pompeii and Herculaneum: Rediscovery and Reconstruction
Roman Law and Latin Literature
Happiness in Ancient Philosophy
The Hellenistic World
Roman Syria
The History of Writing in the Ancient Mediterranean
Intermediate, Advanced, or Higher Greek and/or Latin language modules
Additional Pathways
Students can apply to be transferred onto either the with Year Abroad or with Placement pathway during the second year. Places on these pathways are in high demand and if you are chosen your studies will extend from three years to four.
Accreditation
As a Classics and Ancient History graduate you will be highly valued by employers, who realise you have acquired many skills transferable to different jobs. You will have learned to think logically, to compile and evaluate evidence and to express yourself clearly and succinctly, both verbally and in writing. As such, our graduates have found their way into careers as diverse as computing, civil service, gold dealing, insurance, journalism, law, accountancy, public relations and the theatre. Examples of high-profile employers include Build Africa, Santander, PwC, and the Houses of Parliament.
A significant number of our students progress onto higher level study following their degree. Some remain within their academic field of interest and pursue a Master’s degree, either at Durham or elsewhere. Others choose to pursue professional postgraduate programmes such as law, finance or teaching.
A combination of lectures and seminars will help you become an independent learner and researcher. Lectures introduce broad historical questions and offer context and critical commentary; seminars provide an opportunity for you to develop your critical skills through discussion.
You will receive research skills training and access to an academic mentor for consultation about module choices in line with your interests and aims, and to support you with any other issues.
Your dissertation gives the richest opportunity to use your independent learning and research skills. You will be supported choosing a topic at the end of Year 2, with one-to-one supervisory support from an expert in the field through the writing process.
Assessment
We use various types of assessment, designed to test the different skills you have gained through your studies: essays, exams, commentaries, translations, presentations, and projects.
In your final year, you will write a dissertation of up to 12,000 words on a subject of your choice, giving you the opportunity to demonstrate your skills in independent learning and research and your ability to bring together areas of learning from across the entire course.
IB Diploma score – 37
with 666 in higher level subjects.
In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note:
We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements and from mature students with non-standard qualifications or who may have had a break in their study. For more information contact our Admissions Tutor.
Classical subjects and knowledge of Greek and Latin are not required for any of our courses.
We are pleased to consider applications for deferred entry.
Science A levels: Applicants taking Science A levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This applies only to applicants sitting A levels with an English examination board.
The fees for this academic year have not been confirmed yet.
Full-Time Study
The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full-time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.
The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full-time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and will be subject to an annual inflationary increase expected to rise throughout the programme of study. The fee listed above is for the first year of the course only; fees for subsequent years will be confirmed not less than 3 months before the start of the academic year to which the increase is intended to apply and will be published on the Finance webpages.
In deciding the annual level of increase, the University will take into account inflationary pressures on the costs of delivery. Tuition fees will rise annually by up to the higher of:
6%, or
the latest annual percentage increase in the Consumer Prices Index.
Part-Time Study
The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of part-time study and are charged proportionately to the Full-Time fee. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.
Our students acquire many skills which are readily transferable to a whole range of professions. You will learn to search for, gather, and process information, to evaluate evidence and to express yourself clearly and succinctly, both verbally and in writing.
Classics graduates have progressed to careers as diverse as computing, the Civil Service, gold dealing, teaching, journalism, law, accountancy, public relations and the theatre. A significant number of our students progress onto higher level study following their degree. Some remain within their academic field of interest and pursue a Master’s degree, either at Durham or elsewhere. Others choose professional postgraduate programmes in subjects such as law, finance and teaching.
Of those students who graduated in 2020-21:
84%
in work or further study.
Of those in employment:
76%
in highly and medium skilled employment.
£32,000
is the average salary.
(Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. More at www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk)
Department information
Classics and Ancient History
Explore the artistic, historical, literary, linguistic, cultural, scientific, and philosophical aspects of the Greek and Roman world, studying in one of the largest and most vibrant departments in the UK at the heart of a World Heritage Site.
When you study at the Department of Classics and Ancient History you will join a large, forward-looking department. We offer an intellectually stimulating learning environment in a welcoming community, and consistently rank highly for teaching, graduate employability and research.
We offer a range of flexible and challenging degree courses designed with the twenty-first-century student in mind. Each with a different emphasis, depending on which area you prefer to put at the centre of your studies: ancient languages, ancient history or ancient culture. We also offer joint honours courses with the departments of Archaeology and History.
Our degrees offer both academic rigour and an outstanding student experience, taught by a team of academic staff who between them specialise in the languages, literature, history, and culture of the Greco-Roman world, as well as its impact on later centuries up to the present day. The breadth of knowledge in the Department allows us to offer a wide range of study areas including ancient Greek and Latin languages from beginner to advanced level, literature in translation, history of various areas of the ancient Mediterranean, and many more aspects of classical culture, including philosophy, art and science.
We are situated in the beautiful and historic centre of Durham next to the Cathedral and Castle and just two minutes’ walk from the city centre, at the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Apply
Find out more:
Use the UCAS code below when applying:
Apply
Q820
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) handles applications for all undergraduate courses.
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