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Classical Studies

BA (Hons)

Application options include:

Full-time Part-time
On campus
With or without Foundation Year

Course Overview

BA Classical Studies is a particularly diverse and stimulating degree, in which you explore the culture, history, archaeology, philosophy and literature of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds. You will gain valuable expertise in developing and communicating arguments based on the diverse, complex remains from the ancient world, understanding the limits of our knowledge but also how to push them further. You also focus on how studying the Classical world, with all its attractive and disturbing features, can radically transform debates about key contemporary issues, such as: 

  • democracy
  • inequality
  • gender and sexuality.

Why choose this course

  • You can tailor this course to suit your interests and needs from a wide range of options, covering Greek and Roman culture and society across the Mediterranean and Near East, from Homer to the Roman Empire, and the impact of Classical culture in later periods of history.
  • You will benefit throughout your degree from close personal tuition, mentoring and supervision from leading Classicists.
  • At Birkbeck we believe that the study of the Classical world should be accessible to all. Many of our students have no prior knowledge of either Greek or Latin. You can study ancient Greek and/or Latin flexibly, to suit your needs: one language module is compulsory, and you can also choose (if you wish) to develop your language skills to a higher level.
  • You will benefit from our close links, in teaching and research, with London museums and archaeological excavations across the Greco-Roman world, such as in our module The World of Rome in the Museums of London.

What you will learn 

You will gain an advanced understanding of two ancient cultures which have shaped the modern world, but were also radically different from it. This will equip you for careers connected with the ancient world, such as in teaching, research, museums or heritage, but also with a whole new way of thinking about society, politics, education, literature and culture, which you can apply in many other different fields, such as law, business or the civil service. 

You will master the wide range of methods and sources, including texts (ancient plays, speeches and laws) and archaeological remains, needed to reconstruct the ancient world. This will give you advanced skills, much desired by many employers, in analysis, argument and communication. 

You will learn to understand, but also question, accepted narratives of ancient history and culture and their later impact, which will help you to develop your ability to construct and present a persuasive argument. 

You will deepen your understanding of how language works, from grammar to its impact on society. This will transform your communication skills. 

How you will learn

You will benefit from attentive instruction from lecturers, all specialist researchers on the ancient world, through seminar teaching and mentoring. We place an emphasis on vibrant seminar discussion, enlivened by the diverse perspectives and experience of Birkbeck students. Language teaching in small groups provides the perfect context to make progress in Greek and/or Latin.

In your final year, you will devise your own research project for the dissertation, supervised by one of our specialists.

This course is available to study full- or part-time. It has an evening timetable with lectures, seminars and classes taking place in the evening. 

Foundation Year

If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. 

Discover the career opportunities available by taking Classical Studies (BA (Hons)).

Key information and modules

Find another course:

Highlights

  • Birkbeck was ranked in the top eight universities in the UK for its History research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
  • Situated in historic Bloomsbury, we are at the heart of academic London with access to unparalleled research resources. Situated very close by are: the Institute of Historical Research and the Institute of Classical Studies, with their specialist libraries, training facilities and seminars; the British Museum and other world-class galleries and museums; and the British Library, the largest national library in the world.
  • The School of Historical Studies at Birkbeck is home to thriving student societies and a number of affiliated research centres that actively run seminars, conferences and other events where some of the world's best scholars present their latest research.
  • Get a flavour of our teaching and research in this area through a wide range of free online and in-person seminars, workshops and tasters; also check out events at the Raphael Samuel History Centre, a leading centre for public history.
Come and meet us Request a prospectus Contact us

Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the Key Information section under Attendance.

  • Entry Requirements Entry Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

    No A-level in Greek or Latin is required.

    For part-time courses, standard requirements are a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent.

    UCAS tariff points

    • 3 years full-time: 112 points (e.g. A-levels BBC - no A-level in Greek or Latin required)
    • 4 years full-time with Foundation Year: 48 points

    The UCAS tariff score is applicable to you if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a tariff calculator for you to work out what your qualification is worth within the UCAS tariff.

    Foundation year degrees

    Our 'with Foundation Year' route is designed to give you extra support as it provides you with an additional year (full-time) or two years (part-time) of supported study. This is an ideal route if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree. 

    Once you successfully complete your Foundation Year studies, you will automatically advance onto the main degree. 

    Alternative entry routes

    3 years full-time or 4 years part-time: Access to Higher Education Diploma with a minimum of 15 credits achieved at Merit or Distinction in humanities or social science units.

    3 years full-time: Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma - DMM

    English language requirements

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don’t meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details of how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

    Visa and funding requirements

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol as a student on Birkbeck's part-time courses (with the exception of some modules).

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

    Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits through the modules you studied. It may be possible to transfer these credits from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

  • Fees Fees

    Fees

    Classical Studies BA (Hons): 3 years full-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2025-26

    Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

    Full-time home students: £9,535 per year
    Full-time international students: £18,060 per year

    Classical Studies BA (Hons): 4 years part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2025-26

    Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

    Part-time home students: £7,145 per year
    Part-time international students: £13,545 per year

    Classical Studies with Foundation Year BA (Hons): 4 years full-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2025-26

    Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

    Full-time home students: £9,535 per year
    Full-time international students: £18,060 per year

    Classical Studies with Foundation Year BA (Hons): 6 years part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2025-26

    Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

    Part-time home students, Year 1&2: £4,765 per year
    Part-time international students, Year 1&2: £9,030 per year
    Part-time home students, Year 3+: £7,145 per year
    Part-time international students, Year 3+: £13,545 per year

    Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the College Fees Policy.

    If you’ve studied at Birkbeck before and successfully completed an award with us, take advantage of our Lifelong Learning Guarantee to gain a discount on the tuition fee of this course.

    Tuition fee and maintenance loans

    Eligible full-time and part-time students from the UK don’t have to pay any tuition fees upfront, as government loans are available to cover them.

    Maintenance loans are also available for eligible full-time and part-time UK students, to assist with covering living costs, such as accommodation, food, travel, books and study materials. The amount you receive is means-tested and depends on where you live and study and your household income.

    Find out more about tuition fee and maintenance loans for full-time and part-time students at Birkbeck.

    Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

    International scholarships

    We provide a range of scholarships for eligible international students, including our Global Future Scholarship. Discover if you are eligible for a scholarship.

  • Teaching and Assessment Teaching and Assessment

    Teaching

    At Birkbeck, most of our courses are taught in the evening and all of our teaching is designed to support students who are juggling evening study with work and other commitments. We actively encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching, to ensure our students have the best learning experience.

    Teaching may include formal lectures, seminars, and practical classes and tutorials. Formal lectures are used in most degree programmes to give an overview of a particular field of study. They aim to provide the stimulus and the starting point for deeper exploration of the subject during your own personal reading. Seminars give you the chance to explore a specific aspect of your subject in depth and to discuss and exchange ideas with fellow students. They typically require preparatory study.

    In addition, you will have access to pastoral support via a named Personal Tutor.

    Methods of teaching on this course

    Lectures, seminars, smaller classes and tutorials.

    The Foundation Year is composed mainly of interactive lectures for large groups and tutorial-style classes that support the development of knowledge, skills, confidence and self-awareness.

    Teaching hours

    Our evening hours are normally between 6pm and 9pm (6-7.30pm and 7.30-9pm). Some programmes also offer teaching during the day and this will be clearly signposted to you where it is available.

    On our taught courses, you will have scheduled teaching and study sessions each year. Scheduled teaching sessions may include lectures, seminars, workshops or laboratory work. Depending on the modules you take, you may also have additional scheduled academic activities, such as tutorials, dissertation supervision, practical classes, visits and field trips. On our taught courses, the actual amount of time you spend in the classroom and in contact with your lecturers will depend on your course, the option modules you select and when you undertake your final-year project (if applicable).

    Alongside your contact hours, you will also undertake assessment activities and independent learning outside of class. The amount of time you need to allocate to study both for taught sessions (this might include online sessions and/or in-person sessions) and personal study will depend on how much you are studying during the year and whether you are studying full time or part time.

    Birkbeck’s courses are made up of modules and allocated ‘credit’. One credit is equivalent to ten hours of learning time. Modules are usually in 15, 30 or 60 credit units. A 15-credit module will mean around 150 hours of learning, including taught sessions and independent study or group work. This is spread out over the whole period of that module and includes the time you spend on any assessments, including in examinations, preparing and writing assessments or engaged in practical work as well as any study support sessions to help you in your learning.

    On our distance-learning and blended-learning courses, discussion, collaboration and interaction with your lecturers and fellow students is encouraged and enabled through various learning technologies.

    Timetables

    Timetables are usually available from September onwards and you can access your personalised timetable via your My Birkbeck Profile online (if you have been invited to enrol).

    Indicative class size

    Class sizes vary, depending on your course, the module you are undertaking, and the method of teaching. For example, lectures are presented to larger groups, whereas seminars usually consist of small, interactive groups led by a tutor.

    Independent learning

    On our taught courses, much of your time outside of class will be spent on self-directed, independent learning, including preparing for classes and following up afterwards. This will usually include, but is not limited to, reading books and journal articles, undertaking research, working on coursework and assignments, and preparing for presentations and assessments.

    Independent learning is absolutely vital to your success as a student. Everyone is different, and the study time required varies topic by topic, but, as a guide, expect to schedule up to five hours of self-study for each hour of teaching.

    Study skills and additional support

    Birkbeck offers study and learning support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed. Our Learning Development Service can help you in the following areas:

    • academic skills (including planning your workload, research, writing, exam preparation and writing a dissertation)
    • written English (including structure, punctuation and grammar)
    • numerical skills (basic mathematics and statistics).

    Our Disability and Dyslexia Service can support you if you have additional learning needs resulting from a disability or from dyslexia.

    Our Counselling Service can support you if you are struggling with emotional or psychological difficulties during your studies.

    Our Mental Health Advisory Service can support you if you are experiencing short- or long-term mental health difficulties during your studies.

    Assessment

    Assessment is an integral part of your university studies and usually consists of a combination of coursework and examinations, although this will vary from course to course - on some of our courses, assessment is entirely by coursework. The methods of assessment on this course are specified below under 'Methods of assessment on this course'. You will need to allow time to complete coursework and prepare for exams.

    Where a course has unseen written examinations, these may be held termly, but, on the majority of our courses, exams are usually taken in the Summer term, during May to June. Exams may be held at other times of the year as well. In most cases, exams are held during the day on a weekday - if you have daytime commitments, you will need to make arrangements for daytime attendance - but some exams are held in the evening. Exam timetables are published online.

    Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy.

    Methods of assessment on this course

    Each module is examined at the end of the academic year in which it is taken (usually by three-hour papers) and you must write a dissertation of 10,000 words on a subject of your choice.

  • Careers and employability Careers and employability

    Careers and employability

    On successfully graduating from this BA Classical Studies, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:  

    • a sophisticated use of written and spoken English, considerably strengthened through your study of ancient language(s)
    • an advanced critical ability in understanding and applying complex theories, both ancient ideas and modern
    • facility and precision in the use of analytical tools.
    • strong skills and initiative in collecting and organising complex materials and writing up clear, well-presented reports or fluent critical arguments.

    Studying our course will prepare you for roles in a range of fields: 

    • academia and research
    • teaching
    • museums and the heritage sector
    • law
    • civil service
    • business
    • any occupation which values high-level analytical and communication skills.

    Graduates from this course have gone on to be employed in areas including:  

    • the civil service
    • arts, heritage and museums
    • primary and secondary schools
    • libraries
    • City and recruitment firms
    • self-employed entrepreneurship.

    We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

  • How to apply How to apply

    How to apply

    You apply via UCAS for our full-time undergraduate courses or directly to Birkbeck for our part-time undergraduate courses.

    Full-time (UCAS entry)

    If you are applying for a full-time undergraduate course at Birkbeck, you have to apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). To apply, go to the UCAS website and click on ‘Sign in’. You will have to register, giving UCAS a few personal details, including your name, address and date of birth, and then you can start working on your application.

    The first UCAS deadline is in January, and the majority of university applications through UCAS are made by then. Find the exact deadline date on the UCAS website. We welcome applications outside of the UCAS deadlines, so you can still apply through UCAS after the January deadline, depending on the availability of places. We also take late applications via the UCAS Clearing system in August.

    Part-time

    If you are applying for a part-time undergraduate course (4 or 6 year), you apply directly to Birkbeck by using the Apply now button. You will need to prove your identity when you apply - read more about suitable forms of identification.

    You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link. Please note that online application will open in September.

    When to apply

    You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places on your chosen course and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.

    You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.

    You will also receive information about subject-specific induction sessions over the summer.

    Help and advice with your application

    Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.

    Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.

    Apply for your course

    Apply for your course using the apply now button in the key information section.

Visit the School of Historical Studies

Related courses

Course structure

Course structure listing

Course structure and modules for Classical Studies BA (Hons): 3 years full-time, on campus, starting October 2025

You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.

  • Year 1: three compulsory modules, including a language module, and a Level 4 option module (30 credits each)
  • Year 2: a compulsory module and three Level 5 option modules, which may include a language (30 credits each)
  • Year 3: two Level 6 option modules, which may include a language (30 credits each) and a dissertation (60 credits)

You will have the flexibility to tailor your degree to suit your particular interests, choosing from options in classical language, history, archaeology, literature and philosophy. Language modules are taught at a number of levels of difficulty and analysis. If you have no prior knowledge of one of the classical languages you will be able to take a beginners' class alongside your other classes.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory module
Year 3 compulsory module
Language modules
Indicative Level 4 option module
Indicative Level 5 option module
Indicative Level 6 option modules

Please note that all option modules are an indicative selection only and may vary from year to year depending on whether they are taught in alternate years or changed to reflect new developments or directions in research. During your studies, you will be able to plan your option modules for the following year via official module choice forms.

Course structure and modules for Classical Studies BA (Hons): 4 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2025

You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.

  • Year 1: three compulsory modules, including a language module (30 credits each)
  • Year 2: a Level 4 option module (language or non-language) and two Level 5 option modules (30 credits each)
  • Year 3: a compulsory module, a Level 5 option module (language or non-language) and a Level 6 option module (30 credits each)
  • Year 4: a Level 6 option module (language or non-language) (30 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits)

You will have the flexibility to tailor your degree to suit your particular interests, choosing from options in classical language, history, archaeology, literature and philosophy. Language modules are taught at a number of levels of difficulty and analysis. If you have no prior knowledge of one of the classical languages you will be able to take a beginners' class alongside your other classes.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 3 compulsory module
Year 4 compulsory module
Language modules
Indicative Level 4 option module
Indicative Level 5 option modules
Indicative Level 6 option modules

Please note that all option modules are an indicative selection only and may vary from year to year depending on whether they are taught in alternate years or changed to reflect new developments or directions in research. During your studies, you will be able to plan your option modules for the following year via official module choice forms.

Course structure and modules for Classical Studies with Foundation Year BA (Hons): 6 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2025

Our part-time Foundation Year degrees allow you to spread out your Foundation Year studies over two years. As the 'Foundation Year' is made up of 120 credits, as a part-time student you can take 60 credits in each of your first and second years before starting the main four-year BA Classical Studies. This means that you can take six years to complete the part-time degree with Foundation Year.

You take two core modules in Foundation Year 1 and a core and option module in Foundation Year 2.

If you successfully complete these modules, you will automatically advance on to our four-year, part-time, evening study BA Classical Studies.

Foundation Year 1 core modules
Foundation Year 2 core module
Foundation Year 2 option modules