Classical Studies BA (Hons)

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 can radically transform debates about key contemporary issues, such as democracy, inequality and gender and sexuality.<br/><br/>**Why choose this course**<br/><br/><br/>- You can tailor this course to suit your interests and needs from a wide range of options.<br/><br/><br/>- You will benefit from close personal tuition, mentoring and supervision from leading Classicists.<br/><br/><br/>- You can study ancient Greek and/or Latin flexibly, to suit your needs.<br/><br/><br/>- You will benefit from our close links with London museums and archaeological excavations across the Greco-Roman world.<br/><br/><br/>**What you will learn** <br/><br/>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, but also with a new way of thinking about society, politics, education, literature and culture. <br/><br/>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. You will learn to understand, but also question, accepted narratives of ancient history and culture and their later impact and deepen your understanding of how language works. <br/><br/>**How you will learn**<br/><br/>You will benefit from attentive instruction from lecturers through seminar teaching and mentoring. In your final year, you will devise your own research project for the dissertation.<br/><br/>**Foundation Year**<br/><br/>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 didnt achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. <br/><br/>**Highlights**<br/><br/><br/>- Birkbeck was ranked in the top eight universities in the UK for its History research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.<br/><br/><br/>- 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; the British Museum and other world-class galleries and museums; and the British Library.<br/><br/><br/>- In history, classics and archaeology, 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 worlds best scholars present their latest research.<br/><br/><br/>- Get a flavour of our flexible, engaging teaching and our 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. <br/><br/><br/>**Careers and employability**<br/><br/>On successfully graduating from this BA Classical Studies, you will have gained important transferable skills, including: <br/><br/><br/>- a sophisticated use of written and spoken English<br/><br/><br/>- an advanced critical ability in understanding and applying complex theories<br/><br/><br/>- facility and precision in the use of analytical tools.<br/><br/><br/>- strong skills and initiative in collecting and organising complex materials and writing up clear, well-presented reports or fluent critical arguments.<br/><br/><br/>Graduates from this course have gone on to be employed in areas including: <br/><br/><br/>- the civil service<br/><br/><br/>- arts, heritage and museums<br/><br/><br/>- primary and secondary schools<br/><br/><br/>- libraries<br/><br/><br/>- City and recruitment firms<br/><br/><br/>- self-employed entrepreneurship. <br/>