Skip to main content

Undergraduate Study

BA Classical Studies and Philosophy - 2025 entry

Please note: The below is for 2025 entries. Click here for 2024 entries.
UCAS code QVV5
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-BBB
IB: 32/655-30/555
BTEC: DDM

Overview

  • Combine the challenge of exploring the culture and thought of the ancient world with the study of philosophy
  • 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 Classics and Ancient History

6th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024

Proactive Classics Society with successful student tutor scheme

Top 10 in the UK for Philosophy

8th in the Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024

Commitment to interdisciplinary teaching and research

I love it, I think it’s the best course, best decision I’ve ever made.

It’s a lot more independent working, but I’ve learnt how I work best and how to motivate myself. I’ve found the support services incredibly useful.

Read more from Annabel

Annabel

BA Classical Studies

Entry requirements (typical offer)

Qualification Typical offer Required subjects
A-Level AAA-AAB n/a
IB 36/666-34/665 n/a
BTEC DDD n/a
GCSE C or 4 English Language
Access to HE 30 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 15 L3 credits at Merit Grade N/A
T-Level Distinction n/a
Contextual Offer

A-Level: ABB-BBB
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.

75 credits of compulsory modules (including 30 credits of Classical Studies modules, and 45 credits of Philosophy modules), 60 credits of optional modules (including 30 credits of Classical Studies modules, and 15 credits of Philosophy modules).

 

Compulsory 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.

b select at least 45 credits of compulsory Philosophy modules from this list.

CodeModule Credits
CLA1005 Greek and Roman Narrative [See note a above]30
CLA1006 Greek and Roman Drama [See note a above]30
PHL1002A Knowledge and Reality 1 [See note b above]15
PHL1002B Knowledge and Reality 2 [See note b above]15
PHL1005A Evidence and Argument 1 [See note b above]15
PHL1006 Introduction to Philosophical Analysis [See note b above]15
PHL1013 Philosophy of Morality [See note b above]15

Optional modules

c select 45 credits of Classical Studies modules from this list.

d select 0-15 credits of Philosophy modules from this list.

CodeModule Credits
CLA Y1 BA Classical Studies CH opt 2023-4 [See note c 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
PHL Stage 1 CH Philosophy option modules 2023-4 [See note d above]
PHL1004 Philosophical Problems 1 15
PHL1007 Philosophical Reading 1 15
PHL1009 Philosophies of Art 15
PHL1010 Introduction to Asian Philosophy 15
PHL1013 Philosophy of Morality 15
PHL1112 Philosophy of Film 15

75 credits of compulsory modules (including 30 credits of Classical Studies modules, and 45 credits of Philosophy modules), 60 credits of optional modules (including 30 credits of Classical Studies modules, and 15 credits of Philosophy modules).

 

Compulsory modules

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

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

f select 45-60 credits of compulsory Philosophy modules from this list.

 

CodeModule Credits
CLA2005 Greek and Roman Narrative [See note e above]30
CLA2006 Greek and Roman Drama [See note e above]30
PHL2010A Philosophy of Mind 1 [See note f above]15
PHL2043 Philosophical Research [See note f above]15
PHL2015 Body and Mind [See note f above]15
PHL2016 Metaphysics [See note f above]15
PHL2018 Philosophy of Language [See note f above]15
PHL2118 Moral agency in social context [See note f above]15

Optional modules

g select 0-30 credits from this list of Classical Studies optional modules.

h select 0-15 credits from this list of Philosophy optional modules.

CodeModule Credits
CLA S2 BA CH Classical Studies options 2023-4 [See note g 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
PHL Stage 2 CH Philosophy option modules 2023-4 [See note h above]
PHL2013 Philosophy of Social Science 15
PHL2021 Symbolic Logic 15
PHL2022 Sex and Death: Introduction to the Philosophy of Biology 15
PHL2026 Philosophy of Science 15
PHL2038 The Self 15
PHL2040 Critical Theory: The Frankfurt School and Communicative Capitalism 15
PHL2041 Feminist Philosophy: Gender, Race and Class 15
PHL2042 Philosophical Frontiers 15
PHL2045 Aesthetics 15
PHL2052 Epistemology 15
PHL2053 History of Philosophy 15
PHL2054 Philosophy of Psychiatry 15
PHL2056 The Nature of Normativity 15
PHL2061 Philosophy of Law 15
PHL2111 The Deep Past, History and Humanity 15
PHL2114 Aristotle's Ethics 15
PHL2117 Philosophy and Psychedelics 15
PHL2119 Animal Minds and Animal Ethics 15
PHL2120 Philosophy and Sociology of Race 15
PHL2123 Philosophy of Medicine 15
PHL2126 Mind and World in Contemporary Japanese Philosophy 15
PHL2127 Hidden Voices in Early Modern Philosophy 15
PHL2046A The Holocaust, Genocide and Society 30
PHL2096 Cyborg Studies 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 Philosophy modules)

 

Compulsory modules

i You must select either CLA3009 or PHL3040 (you cannot take both modules).

CodeModule Credits
CLA3009 Dissertation [See note i above]30
PHL3040 Philosophy Dissertation [See note i above]30

Optional modules

If you select CLA3009, you must take 60 credits of options from the Philosophy list.

If you select PHL3040, you must take 60 credits of options from the Classical Studies list.

CodeModule Credits
CLA Final Stage BA Ancient History-Classical Studies CH options 2023-4
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
PHL Final Stage CH Philosophy option modules 2023-4
PHL3013 Virtues and Vices 15
PHL3014 Symbolic Logic 15
PHL3018 Sex and Death: Introduction to the Philosophy of Biology 15
PHL3026 Philosophy of Science 15
PHL3038 The Self 15
PHL3078 Critical Theory: The Frankfurt School and Communicative Capitalism 15
PHL3079 Feminist Philosophy: Gender, Race and Class 15
PHL3080 Philosophical Frontiers 15
PHL3045 Aesthetics 15
PHL3052 Epistemology 15
PHL3053 History of Philosophy 15
PHL3054 Philosophy of Psychiatry 15
PHL3056 The Nature of Normativity 15
PHL3060 Philosophy of Emotion 15
PHL3111 The Deep Past, History and Humanity 15
PHL3113 Practical Ethics 15
PHL3114 Aristotle's Ethics 15
PHL3117 Philosophy and Psychedelics 15
PHL3118 Animal Minds and Animal Ethics 15
PHL3119 Philosophy and Sociology of Race 15
PHL3122 Philosophy of Medicine 15
PHL3125 Mind and World in Contemporary Japanese Philosophy 15
PHL3126 Hidden Voices in Early Modern Philosophy 15
PHL3046A The Holocaust, Genocide and Society 30
PHL3096 Cyborg Studies 15

Course variants

UCAS code: QV8M

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: QV6M

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: QV7M

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

Expand text

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

Expand text