BA Classical Civilisation
About this course
The BA (Hons) in Classical Civilisation is a classics degree exploring the society and culture of ancient Greece and Rome. Core topics include research methods. The final year culminates in a compulsory dissertation, and optional modules allow students to focus on particular areas of interest. Greek and Latin language study is optional rather than required, with modules available at various levels. The first year lays foundations in Roman history and culture, the Greek world, ancient philosophy, and translation in classical reception, through compulsory modules including Monuments and Memory in the Age of Augustus, Introduction to the Greek World, Ancient Philosophy and the Pursuit of Wisdom, and Language, Translation and Interpretation. Optional components allow further study of Latin or Greek alongside non-language choices such as Lives of Objects – Greek and Roman Antiquity and Craft of the Ancient Historian. The second year studies the development of Greek and Roman epic in Traditions of Epic, with options spanning areas such as City of Athens, Digital Humanities and the Ancient World, Religion in the Greek World, and Ancient Political Thought and Action. The final year pairs a compulsory research dissertation with optional modules including Happiness in Ancient Philosophy, Pompeii and Herculaneum: Rediscovery and Reconstruction, The Hellenistic World, and The History of Writing in the Ancient Mediterranean, as well as further language study.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: AAA IB: 36 with 666 in higher level subjects.
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 36%: 40 offers from 110 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 10 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 92%
- Learning opportunities: 84%
- Assessment and feedback: 79%
- Academic support: 87%
- Organisation and management: 73%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 71%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 6 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 40%
- Working and studying: 25%
- Further study: 25%
Most common jobs
- Finance Professionals: 20%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Teaching Professionals: 15%
- Sales occupations: 5%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 30%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 85 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 10%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 6%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 9%
- London: 47%
- South East: 15%
- South West: 6%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Monuments and Memory in the Age of Augustus
- Introduction to the Greek World
- Ancient Philosophy and the Pursuit of Wisdom
- Language, Translation and Interpretation
- Example optional modules
- Traditions of Epic
- Example optional modules
- Dissertation
- Example optional modules
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Classical Civilisation at Durham University earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £29,000 after 3 years, £40,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £28,500 and £55,000. The £40,500 median after five years is £9,000 more than the UK median for Classics.
What do graduates of BA Classical Civilisation at Durham University do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Classical Civilisation at Durham University?
92% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Classical Civilisation at Durham University?
The typical offer is AAA at A level. The average entrant had 165 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Classical Civilisation at Durham University?
36% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 40 offers from 110 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BA Classical Civilisation at Durham University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Classical Civilisation at Durham University?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.