BA Classics

The course is set up so you start your study of ancient languages in the right place for you. Your starting point depends on your past experience. You can study Latin, Greek, or both languages. The only rules are that (a) you must continue with at least one language for all three years, and (b) you can't take the year-long beginners' course in both languages in the same year. Experience shows that this is almost always harmful. For example, if you have no experience with either language, you could take our intensive beginners' Latin course. Do this during your first year.

In the second year, you would progress to the Advanced Latin 1 unit and could, if you so choose, take the intensive beginners' Greek course at the same time. Another option would be to pick up the intensive beginners' course in Greek only in your third year, alongside Advanced Latin 2. If you have already gained A-level Latin or equivalent before arriving, you would take Advanced Latin 1 in your first year, reaching Advanced Latin 3 by your third year. Alongside Latin, you could (but are not required to) take the appropriate level of ancient Greek, starting at any stage.

You can also take all the routes described above in reverse with both languages. This is mutatis mutandis ('with the things that need to be changed having been changed').

Where appropriate, the texts for literary and historical course units are studied partly in the original language.

Study with us and you'll have access to special resources such as the John Rylands Research Institute and Library's Special Collections. They hold papyri, medieval manuscripts, and early printed books. These include very early copies of the Homeric poems. You'll also have access to the Manchester Museum, the University's own on-campus holdings. It has 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.

Use your subject-specific knowledge in the real world through a placement year in your third year of study. It will help you to improve your job prospects, clarify your career goals, and build your external networks.

Study abroad

You can apply to spend one semester studying abroad during Year 2. Exchange partners include those in Europe, the 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.

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.

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 22% of the total marks for your degree.

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.