ClassicsBA

Study the ancient societies and literature of Classical Greece and Rome, as well as Prehistoric Europe, Ancient Egypt and the Byzantine Empire. Explore literature, culture, religion and history, and discover the many ways in which the legacies of classical antiquity live on in our world today.

• Learn from our internationally renowned academic staff, offering a broad scope of specialisms in Greek and Latin literature and reception of the Classical past.
• Join a vibrant and supportive community where you receive one to one support on coursework and access to talks, cultural trips, podcasts, quizzes and celebrations.
• Experience history where it happened on our Study Tour module. You’ll come face to face with remarkable archaeological sites such as the Athenian Acropolis, and experience onsite teaching and learning at the sites, monuments and museums you’ve covered in your studies.
• Immerse yourself in a language learning. Develop your knowledge of ancient Greek, Latin or Egyptian, or a modern language, to deepen your understanding of ancient literature.
• Broaden your understanding of the Classical world by taking optional modules in Ancient History, Archaeology, Heritage and Digital Humanities.

Cultural artefacts at your fingertips

You'll benefit from our excellent collections and library facilities, including environmental and material culture teaching collections at the University of Birmingham. You’ll have access to the Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology Museum and the Danford Collection of African art and artefacts, alongside the Cadbury Research Library.

• Lectures: These give you an insightful, expert introduction to key topics; they also provide guidance to support your reading and assessments.
• Seminars: These are small group discussions where you share and test ideas with your academic tutor and your peers. Seminars help you understand topics better and build confidence in sharing your thoughts.

Support during your studies

At Birmingham, you’ll have plenty of support to help you adjust to university life:

• Personal Academic Tutors: You'll have a tutor assigned to you who will guide and support you throughout your studies.
• Wellbeing Officers: The Wellbeing team help with extensions, disabilities, extenuating circumstances, or any personal challenges. They’ll also connect you with further support on campus or elsewhere.
• Academic Writing Advisory Service: Tutorials, workshops and support in  structuring an argument and developing your own academic voice.
• Student Experience Team: They offer research opportunities, and cultural, intellectual and social activities to enhance your university experience.

Contact hours

Your degree is designed to help you achieve 120 credits per year, which equals about 40 hours of learning each week. This includes lectures, seminars, workshops, independent study, revision, and assessments.

Assessment methods

You’ll be assessed in different ways to suit each module. At the start of a module, you’ll be told how and when you’ll be assessed. Methods will vary but may include coursework (e.g., essays), group or individual presentations and projects, exams, reports or computer-based assignments.

Feedback: You will receive timely feedback on each assessment, so you can learn from it and improve your performance in future assessments.

You can apply to study abroad for a year in an approved university around the world. If you achieve a grade of 2.1 or above in your first year, you will be eligible to apply for a Year Abroad in your second year. If your application is successful, you will go abroad in your third year and return to us for your final year.

To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.

Number of A levels required: 3

A Level

ABB or equivalent. To include Latin, Greek or a Modern Foreign Language or GCSE grade 7/A in Latin, Greek or a Modern Foreign Language. 

IB Diploma

6,5,5 in Higher level subjects plus 32 points overall. To include Latin, Greek or a Modern Foreign Language or GCSE grade 7/A in Latin, Greek or a Modern Foreign Language.

BTEC qualifications

To include grade B in Latin, Greek or Modern Foreign Language or GCSE grade 7/A in Latin, Greek or a Modern Foreign Language. 

• BTEC Extended Diploma: DDD.
• BTEC Diploma: DD, plus B at A-level.
• BTEC Subsidiary Diploma: D, plus AB at A-level.

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.

• TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 22 in Speaking and 21 in Writing.
• IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any band.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): PTE 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills.
• Cambridge English(exams taken from 2015): Cambridge English: Advanced Minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
• Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 33 in each skill
• Trinity ISE II: Not applicable
• Trinity ISE III: Pass in each Skill

The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If your offer is for 2025 year of entry, we expect that the tuition fee for your first year of study will be £9,535 for UK students.  If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay.  If you are applying for 2026 year of entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee closer to the time.

Undergraduate loans

To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.

Scholarships, grants and bursaries

At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.

View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.

• Research and analysis of complex information
• Working independently and as part of a team
• Articulate communication
• Those who choose to study Latin and Greek, also develop analytical and verbal reasoning skills, discipline and application, and a rich and varied vocabulary.

You will be in high demand and well placed to forge a rewarding career in a variety of spheres, including:

• Law
• Education
• Media
• Publishing
• Local government
• Museums and charities
• Cultural and heritage organisations

Careers Network

Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.