Classical Studies

Classical studies is a discipline of remarkable intellectual range, offering access to the worlds of ancient Greece and Rome through their literature, philosophy, history, art, drama, and language. It is a field that rewards curiosity and the willingness to move between radically different kinds of knowledge, from the analysis of a philosophical argument to the reading of a poem, from the study of an architectural form to the investigation of how ancient societies were organised and how they changed over time.

At the University of Exeter, this three-year full-time programme offers a broad and engaging journey through the ancient world and its legacy. You will encounter philosophy, drama, history, and language, often in the same week, and the unexpected connections that emerge between these areas of study are part of what makes classical studies intellectually alive. The programme is described as never stale precisely because of this variety, which asks you to think in different modes and to discover interests you may not have anticipated.

The degree also includes a sandwich placement year, a year abroad, and work placements, grounding the academic breadth of the programme in practical and international experience.

Classical studies graduates go on to careers in education, law, journalism, the civil service, publishing, archival and heritage work, the arts, and cultural organisations. The skills developed in the discipline, including close reading, rigorous argument, and the ability to hold complexity and ambiguity in mind, are valued across any field that rewards careful thinking and precise communication. Many graduates also pursue postgraduate study in classical studies, ancient history, ancient philosophy, archaeology, or law, developing their expertise for academic research or more specialised professional roles.