- UCAS course code
- Q800
- UCAS institution code
- M20
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Course description
Our BA Classics course will enable you to study Greek and Latin language and literature while also exploring the political, social and intellectual history of the ancient Greek and Roman civilisations.
You can learn either or both languages from beginner level and tailor your course unit options to focus on Greek or Latin language and literature together with Ancient History, depending on where your interests lie.
There are four possible routes through this course:
- Route 1 - study both Greek and Latin;
- Route 2 - Greek focus;
- Route 3 - Latin focus;
- Route 4 - combine language study with ancient history and literature units. We offer two versions of this course - one for those with traditional qualifications (e.g. A level) in one or both of Latin and Greek, commencing at an appropriately advanced level and another for those with little or no experience of either language, for which we can offer you courses aimed at complete beginners.
Where appropriate, the texts for literary and historical course units are studied in the original language.
Study with us and you'll also have access to exclusive resources such as the Special Collections of The John Rylands Library (home to papyri, medieval manuscripts and early printed books including very early copies of the Homeric poems) and the Manchester Museum (the University's own on-campus holdings), with its world-class Egyptology collections.
You'll be taught by experts in Greek and Roman language, literature, culture and history. You will be able to choose from course units covering topics such as Latin love poetry, Greek myth, ancient epic and the literature of exile. Optional units are also available in a wide range of topics in Ancient History and Archaeology and in areas as diverse as Greek philosophy and Egyptology.
Depending on your level of language expertise, you will be able to study some of the texts for your literary and historical course units in the original Greek or Latin.
Special features
Placement year option
Apply your subject-specific knowledge in a real-world context through a placement year in your third year of study, enabling you to enhance your employment prospects, clarify your career goals and build your external networks.
Study abroad
You may apply to spend one semester studying abroad during Year 2. Exchange partners are offered through the Erasmus Exchange scheme (in Sweden) and the Worldwide Exchange scheme (e.g. USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore).
Explore world-class collections
Enjoy unique opportunities to explore special archived material and carry out research in a wide range of archives, libraries, museums and other research institutions in Manchester and beyond.
You will have exclusive access to the special collections of the John Rylands Library, including papyri, medieval manuscripts and early printed books.
Teaching and learning
The core of most literary and historical course units is provided by lectures, which introduce and survey the main issues, and are supported by small-group tutorials and seminars.
Language classes are taught intensively, with group size capped to encourage participation.
You are encouraged to involve yourself, under guidance, in independent study and original research.
Coursework and assessment
Assessment practices in different course units vary, but our basic aim is to achieve a good balance between formal examinations, continuous assessment, and project work.
Written examinations are held at the end of most courses. The third-year dissertation provides 25% of the total marks for your degree.
Course content for year 1
Route 1: Greek and Latin
Study five core units covering Greek language, Greek literature (e.g. The Odyssey), Latin language, Latin literature (e.g. Catullus), and either Greek or Roman history (e.g. Archaic Greece; The Roman Republic). Study a further course unit from Classics and Ancient History or from the list of Classics-approved units in other disciplines such as Archaeology, History of Art, Middle Eastern Studies, Philosophy and Religions and Theology.
Route 2: Greek-focussed
Study three core units covering Greek language, Greek literature (e.g. the Odyssey) and Greek history (e.g. Archaic Greece). In addition you will study two further course units from Classics and Ancient History. Study one subject from the list of Classics-approved units, such as those listed above for specialisation in Greek and Latin.
Route 3: Latin-focussed
Study three core units covering Latin language, Latin literature (e.g. Catullus) and Roman history (e.g. the Roman Republic). Study two further course units from Classics and Ancient History. Finally, you will study one subject from the list of Classics-approved units, as listed above for specialisation in Greek and Latin.
Route 4: Classics and Ancient History
Study either Latin or Greek at the appropriate level (40 credits if you are beginning the language, 20 credits if you are continuing your language studies), together with 40 credits in Ancient History and 40 credits in Classical Literature. Where sufficient credits remain, you can take a further 20 credits in other Classics and Ancient History or approved course units.
Course units for year 1
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constructing Archaic Greek History | CAHE10011 | 20 | Optional |
| From Republic to Empire: Introduction to Roman History, Society & Culture 218-31BC | CAHE10022 | 20 | Optional |
| Introduction to Mediterranean & Classical Archaeology | CAHE10122 | 20 | Optional |
| The Making of the Mediterranean | CAHE10132 | 20 | Optional |
| The Story of Britain | CAHE10141 | 20 | Optional |
| Stories and Storytelling in the Ancient Greek and Roman Worlds | CAHE10212 | 20 | Optional |
| Cities and Citizens | CAHE10231 | 20 | Optional |
| Virgil's Aeneid | CAHE10422 | 20 | Optional |
| Intensive Greek 1 | CAHE20151 | 20 | Optional |
| Intensive Latin 1 | CAHE20171 | 20 | Optional |
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Course content for year 2
Route 1: Greek and Latin
Continue to study courses in Latin and Greek language and literature. You can also choose additional course units from Classics and Ancient History or from the list of approved units. You can also opt to study a free-choice course unit which can be chosen from a wide range on offer across the University.
Route 2: Greek-focussed
Study two courses in Greek language and literature. Choose four additional course units - either from available Classics course units or from the list of Classics-approved units. You can also opt to study a free-choice course unit which can be chosen from a wide range on offer across the University
Route 3: Latin-focussed
Study two units in Latin language and literature. Study four additional course units - either from available Classics course units or from the list of Classics-approved units. You can also opt to study a free-choice course unit which can be chosen from a wide range on offer across the University.
Route 4: Classics and Ancient History
Study either Latin or Greek at the appropriate level (20 credits), together with 60 credits in Ancient History and Classical Literature course units. You will also take another 40 credits in Classics and Ancient History or approved units. This includes the option (worth 20 credits) of writing an extended essay of about 6,000 words on a topic of your choosing in Classics.
Course units for year 2
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| The World of Late Antiquity: Europe and the Med from the Severan Dynasty to the Rise of Islam | CAHE20022 | 20 | Optional |
| Through Cicero's Eyes | CAHE20032 | 20 | Optional |
| The Conquering Hero: The Life, Times and Legacy of Alexander The Great | CAHE20041 | 20 | Optional |
| The Roman Empire 31BC - AD235: Rome's Golden Age | CAHE20051 | 20 | Optional |
| Politics and Society in Classical Greece | CAHE20062 | 20 | Optional |
| Neolithic Britain | CAHE20131 | 20 | Optional |
| Intensive Greek 1 | CAHE20151 | 20 | Optional |
| Intensive Latin 1 | CAHE20171 | 20 | Optional |
| Survive and Thrive: Parties, Politics and Poetry in Horace | CAHE20251 | 20 | Optional |
| Families in the Greek and Roman Worlds (6th c. BCE - 3 c. CE) | CAHE20441 | 20 | Optional |
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Course content for year 3
Route 1: Greek and Latin
Complete your study of Latin and Greek language and literature. Take a course unit from within Classics and Ancient History or from the list of Classics-approved course units. Write a thesis (10,000-12,000 words) on a subject of your choice - the thesis is your chance to carry out your own independent study of the classical past.
Route 2: Greek-focussed
Complete your study of Greek language with a final course unit. Study four course units either from within Classics and Ancient History or from the list of Classics-approved course units. Write a thesis (10,000-12,000 words) on a subject of your choice - the thesis is your chance to carry out your own independent study of the classical past.
Route 3: Latin-focussed
Complete your study of Latin language with a final course unit. Study four course units either from within Classics and Ancient History or from the list of Classics-approved course units. Write a thesis (10,000-12,000 words)on a subject of your choice - the thesis is your chance to carry out your own independent study of the classical past.
Route 4: Classics and Ancient History
Study either Latin or Greek at the appropriate level (20 credits), together with 20 credits in Ancient History and 20 credits in Classical Literature course units. Write a dissertation of about 10,000-12,000 words (worth 40 credits). You will also take another 20 credits in Classics and Ancient History or approved course units.
Course units for year 3
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classics, Ancient History, Archaeology and Egyptology Dissertation | CAHE30000 | 40 | Mandatory |
| Intensive Greek 1 | CAHE20151 | 20 | Optional |
| Intensive Latin 1 | CAHE20171 | 20 | Optional |
| The World of Late Antiquity: Europe and the Med from the Severan Dynasty to the Rise of Islam | CAHE30022 | 20 | Optional |
| Through Cicero's Eyes | CAHE30032 | 20 | Optional |
| Advanced Latin Language 1 | CAHE30110 | 20 | Optional |
| Advanced Greek Language 1 | CAHE30120 | 20 | Optional |
| Neolithic Britain | CAHE30131 | 20 | Optional |
| Intensive Greek 2 | CAHE30162 | 20 | Optional |
| Intensive Latin 2 | CAHE30182 | 20 | Optional |
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Facilities
The John Rylands Library
At The John Rylands Library , you'll have exclusive access to our internationally significant collections, including papyri, medieval manuscripts and early printed books such as very early copies of the Homeric poems.
Manchester Museum
The UK's leading university museum has more than four million objects spanning millennia, including one of the largest collections of ancient Egyptian artefacts in the UK. Go behind-the-scenes to handle, analyse and interpret rare artefacts, including exclusive material specific to ancient history.
Visit our facilities page to find out more.