BA Classical Civilisation
About this course
BA in Classical Civilisation, a classics degree focused on historical, literary, and archaeological perspectives of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds. Core topics include Research Methods. Students complete a major dissertation in the final year. The first year covers foundational modules such as The Greek World: an Introduction, The Roman World: an Introduction, Greek Poets, and Roman Poets, exploring historical events, literature, and culture. The second year builds research capabilities through Evidence and Enquiry in Classics alongside further historical and cultural study. The final year centres on the Major Research Project, supported by advanced study options spanning Greek Religion, Greek Tragedy, and the Roman world.
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: ABB EPQ: BBB plus grade A in the EPQ BTEC: DDM. IB: 34 points overall including 16 at Higher Level.
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What students say
Based on about 6 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 100%
- Learning opportunities: 84%
- Assessment and feedback: 92%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 95%
- Learning resources: 100%
- Student voice: 80%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 10%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 65 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 16%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 21%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 9%
- London: 26%
- South East: 16%
- South West: 4%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 30 students who started
- A levels: 95%
- Access course: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- The Greek World: an Introduction - This module provides a historical survey of events in the Greek world from the eighth to the fourth centuries BC, followed by a more detailed study of the social and cultural life of fifth- and fourth-century BC Athens.
- The Roman World: an Introduction - The module is intended as a foundation for further study in all aspects of Roman civilisation. It starts with an introduction to the major periods in Roman history and the surviving ancient evidence which allows us to study them, then considers various aspects of Roman social and cultural life.
- Greek Poets - This module provides an introduction for students to ancient Greek literature, through detailed study of poetic works which have been seminal in the Western Literary tradition. The poems will be read in English translation.
- Roman Poets - This module provides an introduction for students to Roman literature, through detailed works that have been hugely influential in European literature and art. The poems will be read in English translation
- Ancient Lives
- Introduction to Classical Archaeology
- Beginners Ancient Greek (Level 1)
- Beginners Latin (Level 1)
- Intermediate Ancient Greek (Level 1)
- Intermediate Latin (Level 1)
- Evidence and Enquiry in Classics - This module is designed to build on and enhance the skills which you have developed at level 1, and to prepare you to pursue independent research at level 3 with the help and guidance of an academic supervisor. It offers a survey of Classics today, of classes of evidence, and of the various areas of classical research. The module encourages a holistic view of Classics as a discipline, which is essential for conducting effective research.
- Evidence and Enquiry in Classics
- Intermediate Ancient Greek (Level 2)
- Intermediate Latin (Level 2)
- Beginners Ancient Greek (Level 2)
- Beginners Latin (Level 2)
- Traversing Time: The Voyage of Argo
- The World of Herodotus
- The Rise of Rome: Myth and History
- Invisible Greeks and Romans
- Ancient Comedy
- Augustus and his Legacy
- The Ancient Novel
- Screening Antiquity
- Writing Love in the Ancient World
- Heroines: Representations of Mythological Women from Antiquity to the Present
- Virgil’s Aeneid
- The Image of Sparta
- Greek Art and Society
- Homer’s Iliad
- Thinkers and Storytellers: Myth and Reason in the Ancient World
- Major Research Project - The major dissertation requires the student to design their own 12,000-word project on any topic, subject to approval from a potential supervisor and the module coordinator.
- Major Research Project
- Intermediate Ancient Greek (Level 3)
- Intermediate Latin (Level 3)
- Beginners Ancient Greek (Level 3)
- Advanced Ancient Greek
- Beginners Latin (Level 3)
- Advanced Latin
- Traversing Time: the Voyage of Argo
- Happiness and the Good Life
- A Water History of the Ancient World
- The Rise of Rome: Myth and History
- Augustus and his Legacy
- The Ancient Novel
- Screening Antiquity
- Writing Love in the Ancient World
- Heroines: Representations of Mythological Women from Antiquity to the Present
- The Image of Sparta
- Greek Art and Society
- Time, Space and Place in the Greek and Roman Worlds
- Greek Religion
- Greek Tragedy
- The City in the Roman World
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Classical Civilisation at University of Leeds earn?
The median salary is £23,000 after 3 years, £30,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £23,500 and £39,000. The £30,000 median after five years is £1,500 less than the UK median for Classics.
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Classical Civilisation at University of Leeds?
100% 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 University of Leeds?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 133 UCAS points.
Does BA Classical Civilisation at University of Leeds include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Classical Civilisation at University of Leeds?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.