Classics

Classics is the study of ancient Greece and Rome through their languages, literature, history, philosophy, and material culture. These two civilisations have shaped Western thought, institutions, law, art, and language in ways that are still deeply present in the modern world, and to study them rigorously is to gain access to the foundations of much of what we take for granted in intellectual and political life. The discipline combines the pleasure of reading extraordinary texts with the demanding skills of linguistic analysis and historical interpretation.

At the University of Manchester, this three-year full-time BA allows you to study Greek and Latin language and literature while also exploring the political, social, and intellectual history of the ancient world. You can focus on one or both ancient languages, tailoring your course unit options to reflect your interests and abilities, whether you are drawn primarily to literary texts, ancient history, philosophy, or the relationship between them all. The flexibility of the programme means students with different linguistic backgrounds and intellectual priorities can all find a pathway that suits them.

A typical entry tariff of 136 points applies.

Classics graduates carry a combination of skills that is highly valued in competitive graduate recruitment: linguistic precision, the ability to engage with complex texts in their original languages, historical awareness, and the capacity for rigorous written argument. Many go on to careers in law, the civil service, education, publishing, journalism, management consultancy, and the cultural sector. Postgraduate study in classics, ancient history, classical philosophy, or archaeology is a natural continuation for those wishing to pursue academic or specialist research careers.

The subject is also consistently well regarded by employers who value intellectual rigour and the breadth of perspective that engagement with the ancient world develops.