Classics/Russian

Classics is the study of ancient Greece and Rome in all their dimensions, encompassing literature, history, philosophy, art, and the material traces left by two civilisations that shaped the intellectual foundations of the modern world. Russian, by contrast, opens a window onto one of Europe's great literary and cultural traditions, a language of Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, of Cold War history and contemporary geopolitics, spoken across a vast geographic expanse. Pairing these two subjects creates a combination that is genuinely unusual, linking deep historical study with one of the world's most important living languages.

At the University of Glasgow, this five-year full-time degree allows you to pursue both subjects at an advanced level. In Classics you will have the option to study Latin and ancient Greek alongside the literary and historical content of the ancient world, developing the close reading skills and contextual knowledge needed to engage with primary sources on their own terms. In Russian you will build language proficiency alongside study of literature, culture, and the modern history of Russia and the wider post-Soviet region.

A placement or work experience year is included, broadening your practical skills and professional experience alongside the academic programme.

The two disciplines together train you in careful analysis, precise argument, cross-cultural thinking, and the ability to work between languages and historical periods. These are capacities that transfer readily into a wide range of careers. Graduates move into fields including academia, teaching, the civil service, diplomacy, journalism, publishing, law, and international business.

The combination of a classical education and proficiency in Russian is particularly valued in contexts where an understanding of history and an ability to engage with a non-Western cultural tradition are assets. Postgraduate study in classical studies, Slavonic studies, or related fields is also a natural progression.