Classical Studies and Religion

Classical studies and religion is a combination that reaches back to the very foundations of Western intellectual life, exploring the ancient Mediterranean world and the religious traditions that emerged from it and continue to shape contemporary culture. Classical studies examines the languages, literature, history, philosophy, and art of ancient Greece and Rome, the civilisations that established many of the intellectual, political, and aesthetic frameworks that have shaped European and global culture ever since. Religion extends that inquiry forward and outward, examining how people in many cultures across many centuries have understood the sacred, organised their spiritual lives, and built communities around shared beliefs and practices.

At the University of Exeter, this three-year, full-time degree develops your skills in the close analysis of ancient and religious texts, in historical interpretation, and in the comparative study of belief systems across cultures and periods. You will engage with primary sources in translation as well as, potentially, in their original languages, and you will develop the independent research and analytical skills that characterise both disciplines at their best. The programme includes a sandwich placement year, a year abroad, and work placement opportunities, which extend your learning and professional experience well beyond the classroom.

Graduates from this combination pursue careers in education, museums, heritage, journalism, the civil service, the church and other faith organisations, international development, and the charitable sector. The combination of analytical rigour, cultural breadth, and ethical seriousness that classical studies and religion develop is valued in any role that requires careful thinking about complex human questions. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in classical studies, religious studies, theology, or history, deepening their expertise for research or professional careers.