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Undergraduate Study

BA Classical Studies and English - 2025 entry

Please note: The below is for 2025 entries. Click here for 2024 entries.
UCAS code QQ3V
Duration 3 years
Entry year 2025
Campus Streatham Campus
Discipline Classics and Ancient History
Contact

Web: Enquire online
Phone: 0300 555 6060 (UK callers) 
+44 (0)1392 723044 (EU/International callers)

Typical offer

View full entry requirements

A-Level: AAA-AAB
IB: 36/666-34/665
BTEC: DDD

Contextual offers

A-Level: ABB-ABC
IB: 32/655-30/555
BTEC: DDM

Overview

  • Explore the culture and thought of the ancient world combined with the study of English.
  • Gain an understanding of some of the most brilliant and complex works written in any language.
  • Develop the ability to unpack the meaning of all manner of texts, from political speeches to advertising slogans.
  • Study key classical texts in translation.
  • Optional Ancient Greek or Latin language modules.

View 2024 Entry

Request a prospectus

Open Days and visiting us

How to apply

Contact

Web: Enquire online

Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72

Top 10 in the UK for English

9th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024

Top 100 in the world for English Language and Literature

61st in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2023

Top 50 in the world for Classics and Ancient History

QS World University Subject Rankings 2023

Proactive Classics Society with successful student tutor scheme

Whilst my studies here at the University of Exeter have been incredible (I cannot speak highly enough of my English course), my time at Exeter has been defined by what I do away from the books.

I have taken managerial roles within societies, broadening my circle of peers and allowing me to develop my leadership skills. Not only have I been involved in voluntary positions, the University’s broad internship programme has allowed me to take paid work in the Digital Humanities Labs, assisting academics on world leading research and pioneering and fostering new relationships between the University and the rest of the world.

This internship has let me interact with texts like the first edition of William Golding’s ‘Lord of the Flies’ (with the rarely seen first chapter) and even taken me to Canada, all of which is incredible experience, and will stand me in good stead for further study. I chose the study abroad option at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia, as I believe that having international experience is key to success as work between countries continues to become more globally significant and the world is becoming smaller through communication and travel,’ 

Read more from Connor

Connor

BA English with Study Abroad (Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia)

Entry requirements (typical offer)

Qualification Typical offer Required subjects
A-Level AAA-AAB A in English Literature or English Language and Literature
IB 36/666-34/665 HL6 in English Literature or English Language and Literature
BTEC DDD Applicants studying a BTEC Extended Diploma are also required to achieve A in English Literature or English Language and Literature
GCSE C or 4 English Language
Access to HE 30 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 15 L3 credits at Merit Grade. To include at least 15 L3 credits at Distinction Grade in an acceptable English Literature subject area.
T-Level Distinction Applicants studying a T-Level will also require GCE A-Level English Literature or English Literature & Language grade A
Contextual Offer

A-Level: ABB-ABC
IB: 32/655-30/555
BTEC: DDM

Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers.

Other accepted qualifications

View other accepted qualifications

English language requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

NB General Studies is not included in any offer.

Grades advertised on each programme webpage are the typical level at which our offers are made and provide information on any specific subjects an applicant will need to have studied in order to be considered for a place on the programme. However, if we receive a large number of applications for the programme we may not be able to make an offer to all those who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades which are in line with our typical offer. For more information on how applications are assessed and when decisions are released, please see: After you apply

Course content

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

60 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules (including 30 credits of Classical Studies modules, and 30 credits of English modules).

Subject to choosing 120 credits for the stage overall, you must:

a select either CLA1005 or CLA1006; the modules run in alternate years so you must select the one which is running in this academic year.

Compulsory modules

CodeModule Credits
CLA CLA1005-CLA1006 [See note a above]
CLA1005 Greek and Roman Narrative 30
CLA1006 Greek and Roman Drama 30
EAS1035 Beginnings: English Literature before 1800 30

Optional modules

b select 30 credits from this list of optional Classical Studies modules.

c select 30 credits from this list of optional English modules.

CodeModule Credits
CLA Y1 BA Classical Studies CH opt 2023-4 [See note b above]
CLA1202 Classical Language and Texts: Greek II 30
CLA1204 Classical Language and Texts: Greek III 30
CLA1252 Classical Language and Texts: Latin II 30
CLA1254 Classical Language and Texts: Latin III 30
CLA1517 Ancient Sources (Material Evidence): Hellenistic Palaces in West Asia 15
CLA1001 Greek History: Problems and Sources 30
CLA1025 Classical Language and Texts Greek I (A) 15
CLA1026 Classical Language and Texts: Greek I (B) 15
CLA1027 Classical Language and Texts: Latin I (A) 15
CLA1028 Classical Language and Texts: Latin I (B) 15
CLA1302 Ancient Sources (Written Evidence): Greek Historiography to the End of the Fifth Century BC 15
CLA1307 Ancient Sources (Written Evidence) Ancient Medicine 15
CLA1406 Text and Context: Roman Love Elegy 15
CLA1410 Text and Context: Writing Women in Ancient Literature 15
CLA1507 Ancient World: Greek Philosophy 15
CLA1514 Ancient Sources (Material Evidence) - Pompeii: Destruction, Discovery and Afterlife 15
EAS CH Stage 1 Option Modules 2023-4 [See note c above]
EAS1032 Approaches to Criticism 30
EAS1034 Film Studies: An Introduction 15
EAS1037 The Novel 15
EAS1038 The Poem 15
EAS1040 Academic English 15
EAS1041 Rethinking Shakespeare 15
EAS1042 Write after Reading 30
EAS1044 Imagine This: Prompts for Creative Writing 15
EAS1045 The Essay: Form and Content 15
LIB1105 Being Human in the Modern World 30
HUM1001 Enter the Matrix: Digital Perspectives on the Humanities 15

30 credits of compulsory modules, 90 credits of optional modules (including 30 credits of Classical Studies modules, and 60 credits of English modules).

 

Compulsory modules

Subject to choosing 120 credits for the stage overall, you must:

d select either CLA2005 or CLA2006; the modules run in alternate years so you must select the one which is running in this academic year.

CodeModule Credits
CLA CLA2005-CLA2006 [See note d above]
CLA2005 Greek and Roman Narrative 30
CLA2006 Greek and Roman Drama 30

Optional modules

e select 30 credits from this list of optional Classical Studies modules.

f select 60 credits from this list of optional English modules. English modules in stage 2 are divided into three groups: Group 1, modules concerned with pre-1750 literature; Group 2, modules concerned with post-1750 literature; Group 3, modules not concerned with a particular historical period. Combined Honours students may not take more than one module from each group.

CodeModule Credits
CLA S2 BA CH Classical Studies options 2023-4 [See note e above]
CLA2302 Ancient Sources (Written Evidence): Greek Historiography to the End of the Fifth Century BC 15
CLA2307 Ancient Sources (Written Evidence) Ancient Medicine 15
CLA2406 Text and Context: Roman Love Elegy 15
CLA2410 Text and Context: Writing Women in Ancient Literature 15
CLA2514 Ancient Sources (Material Evidence) - Pompeii: Destruction, Discovery and Afterlife 15
CLA2517 Ancient Sources (Material Evidence): Hellenistic Palaces in West Asia 15
CLA2202 Classical Language and Texts: Greek II 30
CLA2205 Classical Language and Texts: Greek IV 30
CLA2252 Classical Language and Texts: Latin II 30
CLA2254 Classical Language and Texts: Latin IV 30
CLA3204 Classical Language and Texts: Greek III 30
CLA3254 Classical Language and Texts: Latin III 30
CLA2507 Ancient World: Greek Philosophy 15
EAS Stage 2 Pre-1750 Option Modules 2023-4 [See note f above]
EAS2026 Desire and Power: English Literature 1570-1640 30
EAS2036 Theatrical Cultures in Early Modern England 30
EAS2071 Chaucer and His Contemporaries 30
EAS2080 Renaissance and Revolution 30
EAS2102 Satire and the City: English Literature 1660-1750 30
EAS Stage 2 Post-1750 Option Modules 2023-4 [See note f above]
EAF2502 Shots in the Dark 30
EAF2510 Adaptation: Text, Image, Culture 30
EAS2029 Revolutions and Evolutions 19C Writings 30
EAS2103 Modernism and Modernity: Literature 1900-1960 30
EAS2104 Crossing the Water: Transatlantic Literary Relations 30
EAS2106 Romanticism 30
EAS2116 Empire of Liberty: American Literature of the Long Nineteenth Century 30
EAF2511 Television: Times, Trends and Technologies 30
EAS Stage 2 Neutral Option Modules 2023-4 [See note f above]
EAS2031 Creative Writing: Building a Story 30
EAS2032 Creative Writing: Making a Poem 30
EAS2035 Serious Play: Creative Writing Workshop 30
EAS2089 Creative Industries: Their Past, Our Future 30
EAS2090 Humanities after the Human: Further Adventures in Critical Theory 30
EAS2113 Culture, Crisis and Ecology in a Postcolonial World 30
AHV2018 Comics Studies: Histories, Methodologies, Genres 30
HAS2004 Making a Career in Publishing 30
LIB2000 Think Tank 15
HUM HUM2000-HUM2001
HUM2000 Humanities in the Workplace 30
HUM2001 Humanities in the Workplace 15

Typically, any placement year will take place in Year 3. If you are not taking a placement year please see the Final Year modules for year 3.

30 credits of compulsory dissertation, 90 credits of optional modules (including 30-60 credits of Classical Studies modules, and 30-60 credits of English modules)

Compulsory modules

Subject to choosing 120 credits for the stage overall, you must:

g select a Dissertation in either Classical Studies or English: CLA3009 or EAS3003 or EAS3122 (you cannot choose more than one module from this group).

CodeModule Credits
CLA3009 Dissertation [See note g above]30
EAS3003 Dissertation [See note g above]30
EAS3122 Creative Writing Dissertation [See note g above]30

Optional modules

h if selecting EAS3003 or EAS3122, select 60 credits from this list of optional Classical Studies modules.

i if selecting CLA3009, select 60 credits from this list of optional English modules.

CodeModule Credits
CLA Final Stage BA Ancient History-Classical Studies CH options 2023-4 [See note h above]
CLA3008 The Age of Cicero 30
CLA3033 Magic, Witchcraft and Ghosts in the Greek and Roman Worlds 30
CLA3045 Thucydides and the Idea of History 30
CLA3056 Ovid and the Erotic Passions 15
CLA3059 Classical Language and Texts: Greek V: Imperial Greek Prose 30
CLA3113 Art in Greek Society 15
CLA3123 Applied Classics 15
CLA3124 Receptions of the Classical Body 30
CLA3125 Reading and Writing Greek Literature in the Hellenistic World 30
CLA3202 Classical Language and Texts: Greek II 30
CLA3204 Classical Language and Texts: Greek III 30
CLA3205 Classical Language and Texts: Greek IV 30
CLA3206 Classical Language and Texts: Latin IV 30
CLA3251 Classical Language and Texts: Latin V: Epic 30
CLA3252 Classical Language and Texts: Latin II 30
CLA3254 Classical Language and Texts: Latin III 30
CLA3255 Greek Political Thought 15
CLA3257 Living in the Roman World: Society and Culture 30
CLA3263 Being and Not-Being in Greek Philosophy: from Parmenides to Aristotle 15
CLA3267 Dialogues with the Past: Creative Interpretative Project 15
CLA3274 The Persians in a Near Eastern Context 30
CLA3275 Women Writing Classics 15
CLA3277 Lost Works and Fragments 15
CLA3278 Roman Political Thought 15
CLA3279 Knowledge, Wealth and Power in the Ancient World 30
EAS Final Stage Option Modules 2023-4 [See note i above]
EAS3128 Writing the Short Film 30
EAS3131 Advanced Critical Theory 30
EAS3167 James Joyce's Ulysses 30
EAS3181 Visual and Literary Cultures of Realism 30
EAS3182 Encountering the Other in Medieval Literature 30
EAS3191 Writing for Children and Young Adults 30
EAS3198 The Death of the Novel 30
EAS3219 Virginia Woolf: Fiction, Feeling, Form 30
EAS3225 'Reader, I Married Him': The Evolution of Romance Fiction from 1740 to the Present 30
EAS3235 American Modern 30
EAS3237 The Rise of Science 30
EAS3241 Harlem and After: African American Literature 1925-present 30
EAS3245 The 21st Century Museum 30
EAS3252 Poison, Filth, Trash: Modernism, Censorship and Resistance 30
EAS3311 Piracy in Early Modern Literature, 1570-1730 30
EAS3408 Poetry and Politics 30
EAS3414 Jane Austen: In and Out of Context 30
EAS3415 The Development of British Childrens Literature 30
EAS3416 Feeling Bodies: Emotions in Early Modern Literature and Culture, 1500-1700 30
EAS3417 Sex, Scandal and Sensation in Victorian Literature 30
EAS3419 Writing South Asia 30
EAS3420 Staging Space: Dramatic Geography and Audience Experience 30
EAS3421 Picturing the Global City: Literature and Visual Culture in the 21st Century 30
EAS3502 Shakespeare and Crisis 30
EAS3503 Migration, Literature and Culture 30
EAS3501 Fiction Matters 30
EAS3100 Hardy and Women Who Did: the Coming of Modernity 30
EAS3507 Writing Song Lyrics 30
EAS3500 American Counterculture in Literature 30
EAS3152 Heroes and Exiles: English Poetry of the Age of Beowulf 30
EAS3504 Surrealism and its Legacies 30
EAS3246 Food and Literature in Early Modern England 30
HUM3016 Book Publishing: Principles of Book Commissioning, Editing and Design 30

Course variants

UCAS code: QQV4

Our four-year ‘with Study Abroad’ degree, offers you the possibility of spending your third year abroad, studying with one of our many partner universities.

Why Study Abroad?

Living and studying in a different country is an exciting experience that broadens your academic and cultural horizons, as well as giving you the opportunity to widen your circle of friends. Students who have studied abroad demonstrate initiative, independence, motivation and, depending on where they stay, may also have gained a working knowledge of another language – all key qualities that employers are looking for in today’s competitive employment environment.

Where can I Study Abroad?

We have partnership arrangements with many prestigious institutions across the globe. Exactly where you can apply to study will depend on the subjects you are studying at Exeter. For a full list please visit the Study Abroad website.

Does it count towards my degree?

Credit for academic work during your year abroad is arranged by agreement between the University of Exeter and the host institution. These marks are then translated back into your degree at Exeter. If you are Studying Abroad for a semester or full year, your time abroad will count toward your final degree. Please refer to your Study Abroad co-ordinator for further details.

How does it affect my tuition fee and funding?

For the year that you spend studying abroad you will pay a significantly reduced tuition fee to Exeter, but nothing to your host university – for more information visit our fees pages. If you were previously eligible, you will continue to receive a maintenance loan whilst on your Study Abroad year.

UCAS code: QQSV

Our four-year ‘with Employment Experience’ degree, offers you the possibility of spending your third year carrying out a graduate-level work placement or placements within the UK as part of your degree.

Why choose to include Employment Experience?

Undertaking graduate-level work during your degree unlocks a world of experience that allows you to develop essential employability and interpersonal skills that relate to your degree and future career. A work placement will dramatically boost your confidence, enhance your CV and develop graduate level skills and competencies that employers are looking for.

Where will I do my work placement?

The sector you choose to work within is very much your choice as you will be responsible for finding and organising your placement. We will provide plenty of guidance and support during your first and second years which will prepare you to research and apply for placements. Ultimately, the university will give final approval to your placement to make sure you have a valuable experience.

How does it affect my tuition fees and funding?

For your ‘Year In Industry’ you will pay a significantly reduced tuition fee to Exeter – for more information visit our fees pages. If you were previously eligible, you will continue to receive a maintenance loan whilst on your year of work placement/s.

Find out more

Visit our website to learn more about employment experience opportunities. 

UCAS code: QQ6V

Our four-year ‘with Employment Experience Abroad’ degree, offers you the possibility of spending your third year abroad, carrying out a graduate-level work placement or placements as part of your degree.

Why choose to include Employment Experience Abroad?

Spending up to a year living and working in a different country is an exciting experience that broadens your academic and cultural horizons, as well as giving you the opportunity to widen your circle of friends. By carrying out a graduate-level work placement or placements abroad you can demonstrate to employers your adaptability, cultural awareness, independence and resourcefulness and, depending on where you stay, may also have gained a working knowledge of another language.

Where will I do my work placement?

The sector and country you choose to work within is very much your choice as you will be responsible for finding and organising your placement. We will provide plenty of guidance and support during your first and second years which will prepare you to research and apply for placements. Ultimately, the university will give final approval to your placement to make sure you have a valuable experience.

How does it affect my tuition fee?

For your ‘Year In Industry’ you will pay a significantly reduced tuition fee to Exeter – for more information visit our fees pages. If you were previously eligible, you will continue to receive a maintenance loan whilst on your year of work placement/s.

Is the placement paid?

You will be paid in accordance with the rules of the country you work in and there may be visa restrictions or requirements which you need to consider when applying.

Find out more

Visit our website to learn more about employment experience opportunities. 

Fees

Tuition fees for 2024 entry

UK students: £9,250 per year
International students: £23,700 per year

Scholarships

The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students, such as our Global Excellence Scholarships*. Financial support is also available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.

* Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.

Find out more about tuition fees and scholarships

Learning and teaching

How will I learn?

Our teaching makes full use of seminars, study groups and web-based learning, and there are many other opportunities for you to add to your overall experience in the department. We integrate the latest approaches with traditional lectures to give you a varied and challenging programme. In the first two years, the teaching is via both formal lectures (usually 50-70 students) and discussion-based seminar groups of around 12-18 students. All final year teaching is through discussion-based seminar groups.

Teaching hours

You’ll receive 10 contact hours per week with staff, both teaching time and with your personal tutor. You’re also expected to invest plenty of time in independent study and contact with your study-group (for example, in preparation for seminars). The exact amount of time spent working independently varies from module to module.

Extra opportunities

We hold mini conferences for some modules, where students can present papers to fellow students and staff, along with weekly research seminars and monthly Classical Association lectures, with talks from leading internal and external speakers. We have a lively and engaged student-led Classics Society which organises events throughout the year. Recently they have organised a trip abroad, plays, balls, debates, film nights, and loads more, on top of running lectures and a peer-mentoring scheme for the ancient languages. The department also publishes its own journal, Pegasus, and our students take an active role in writing and editing this publication.

Research-inspired teaching

Teaching that is inspired by research ensures that lectures are up-to-date and relevant to your studies. You will benefit from access to the latest thinking, equipment and resources. All staff teach third year options linked to their own interests, which include the study of ancient Greek Mythology, moral concepts in Latin literature, Greek inscriptions and ancient ideas of character, food, sex, politics and religion.

Academic support

All students have a Personal Tutor who is available for advice and support throughout your studies. There are also several services on campus where you can get advice and information, including the Students’ Guild Advice Unit.

Assessment

You will be assessed by coursework and exams throughout your study. You must pass your first-year modules in order to proceed: this level does not count towards your final degree classification. To be eligible for ‘Study Abroad’ you will need to attain an average of 60% or more in your first year. The assessments in the second year, year abroad (if applicable) and final year will contribute to your final degree classification. In most modules, your assessment will be: in the first year 70% exams and 30% coursework; in the second year 60% exams and 40% coursework; and in the final year 50% exams and 50% coursework.

Optional modules outside of this course

Each year, if you have optional modules available, you can take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of your course. This can increase your employability and widen your intellectual horizons.

Proficiency in a second subject

If you complete 60 credits of modules in one of the subjects below, you may have the words 'with proficiency in [e.g. Social Data Science]' added to your degree title when you graduate.

  • A Foreign Language
  • Law
  • Social Data Science
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Leadership

Find out more about proficiency options

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Your future

Employer-valued skills this course develops

A degree in Classics and Ancient History, will provide you with skills which are highly valuable to employers across many sectors. You will develop an advanced knowledge of other cultures, learn how to think logically and independently, to interpret and critique sources, to assess and evaluate information and to communicate (verbally and in writing) in a sophisticated way.

Career support

We have a dedicated, award-winning Careers Service ensuring you have access to careers advisors, mentors and the tools you need to succeed in finding employment in your chosen field on graduation. The Exeter Award and the Exeter Leaders Award schemes encourage you to participate in employability related workshops, skills events, volunteering and employment which will contribute to your career decision-making skills and success in the employment market. Our graduates compete very successfully in the employment market, with many employers targeting the University when recruiting new graduates.

Career paths

As a Classics and Ancient History graduate, you will have an array of different industries open to you, such as museum and heritage work, education, journalism, business, and law. Our recent graduates have since secured a variety of positions, such as:

  • Archives Assistant
  • Business Development Associate
  • Freelance Journalist
  • Grants and Partnerships Assistant
  • Investment Analyst
  • Marketing Manager
  • Publishing Assistant
  • Research Culture Administrator
  • Trainee Chartered Accountant
  • Media Producer

Further study

A degree in Classics and Ancient History will put you in an excellent position to pursue postgraduate study after you have graduated. Our recent graduates have since enrolled on courses such as:

  • MA History
  • MA International Relations
  • MSc Bioarchaeology
  • MSc International Management
  • Graduate Diploma in Law
  • MSc Library and Information Studies

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