Greek

Greek, both Ancient and Modern, is a language of extraordinary historical depth and cultural richness. Ancient Greek opens direct access to some of the most important texts ever written, including the dialogues of Plato, the tragedies of Sophocles, the history of Thucydides, and the philosophy of Aristotle. These works are not merely historical curiosities; they shaped the intellectual foundations of Western civilisation in ways that are still visible in law, science, politics, and literature today.

Reading them in the original is a transformative scholarly experience.

At Royal Holloway, this programme is designed for Greek linguists who want to develop their language skills and deepen their understanding of ancient Greece. You will have the opportunity to learn Latin alongside Greek, expanding your access to the classical world, and to study Greek civilisation through its artefacts, ideas, and historical events. The combination of linguistic training and cultural study develops your capacity for close reading, rigorous argument, and the kind of sustained intellectual engagement that the classical tradition demands.

The programme runs over three years full-time and includes a sandwich placement year, a year abroad, and a work placement, giving you both professional and international experience within the degree.

Graduates of classical Greek programmes pursue careers in education, research, publishing, heritage, the civil service, law, and the cultural sector. The combination of linguistic precision, historical knowledge, and critical thinking that the discipline develops is valued across a wide range of professions. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in classics, ancient history, philosophy, or linguistics, where the depth of their textual training is a considerable academic asset.