Classical Civilisation and Philosophy

Classical civilisation and philosophy is a combination that places two of the most enduring intellectual traditions of Western culture in productive dialogue. Classical civilisation examines the cultures of ancient Greece and Rome, engaging with their literature, art, history, politics, and thought through translations and cultural analysis rather than requiring knowledge of the ancient languages. Philosophy addresses the fundamental questions of existence, knowledge, ethics, and logic that the Greek tradition began to articulate and that remain as urgent today as they were in the fifth century BCE.

The two disciplines illuminate each other, with classical civilisation providing the historical context and cultural depth that give philosophy its roots, and philosophy providing the analytical tools to evaluate the arguments of ancient thinkers.

At Nottingham, this three-year full-time programme allows you to study Latin or Classical Greek alongside your classical civilisation and philosophy modules, depending on your existing knowledge and experience, giving you the option to engage with ancient texts in their original languages if you wish. The programme includes a sandwich placement year, a year abroad, and work placement opportunities, giving you professional and international experience within the degree. The typical entry tariff is 136 points.

Graduates of classical civilisation and philosophy programmes pursue careers in the civil service, law, education, journalism, publishing, the cultural sector, and academic research. The capacity for rigorous argument, close reading, and cultural analysis that the degree develops is valued across a wide range of professional contexts. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in philosophy, classics, ancient history, or related disciplines, where the dual perspective of classical and philosophical training provides an unusually rich foundation.