MA Classical Studies
About this course
MA (Honours) in Classical Studies, a Modern Languages and Classics degree focusing on the literature, history, philosophy, and art of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds. All classical texts are studied in English translation, though students can also learn Latin and Greek at beginner or advanced levels. The first year introduces foundational topics through modules such as Ancient Empires, Cities and communities in the ancient Mediterranean, Elementary Latin 1, and Greek Language and Literature 1. The second year advances linguistic and historical study through modules such as Ancient Societies: Gender, Ethnicity, and Inequality in the Ancient World, Culture and Thought in the Late Roman Republic, Early Greek Poetry and Philosophy, and Narratives of Antiquity. Unspecified later years offer a wide selection of optional modules covering topics such as Greek Painted Pottery, Animals in Greco-Roman Antiquity, and Justice, politics and the good life: Plato's Republic and its critics in the ancient 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: AAA IB: 36 (HL 6,6,5)
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Real offers for this course
Applicants have posted 1 UCAS decision for MA Classical Studies (Q811) at the University of St Andrews for 2027 entry so far. The published offer is AAA at A level.
What students say
Based on about 14 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 97%
- Learning opportunities: 90%
- Assessment and feedback: 94%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 93%
- Learning resources: 97%
- Student voice: 90%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 35 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 9 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 55%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Finance Professionals: 15%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
- Skilled trades occupations: 5%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 180 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 4%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 36%
- South East: 10%
- South West: 5%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 29%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 40 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 95%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
Modules
- A People's History of Scottish Classics
- After Virgil: The Aeneid and its Reception
- Animals in Greco-Roman Antiquity
- Classics and the Left
- Classics for the Modern World: Interventions and Applications
- Fame, Tradition and Narrative: Homer's Iliad
- Gender and Sexuality in Greek Literature
- Greek Painted Pottery
- Justice, politics and the good life: Plato's Republic and its critics in the ancient world
- Modern Classics: Classics in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries
- Pleasure, Goodness and Happiness: Hellenistic Ethics
- Roman Literature and Queer Theory
- Roman Praise
- Travels and Marvels in the Graeco-Roman World
- Women in Ancient Societies
- Ancient Empires
- Cities and communities in the ancient Mediterranean
- Elementary Latin 1
- Elementary Latin 2
- Greek Language and Literature 1
- Greek Language for Beginners
- Greek Literature for Beginners
- Greek Pastoral and Passion
- Images of Augustan Rome
- Myth and Community in Ancient Greek Literature and Culture
- World of Latin 1
- World of Latin 2
- Ancient Societies: Gender, Ethnicity, and Inequality in the Ancient World
- Culture and Thought in the Late Roman Republic
- Early Greek Poetry and Philosophy
- Latin in Progress 1
- Latin in Progress 2
- Latin Language and Literature 1
- Latin Language and Literature 2
- Narratives of Antiquity
- The Landscape of Greek Poetry (A)
- The Landscape of Greek Poetry (B)
- The Landscape of Greek Prose (A)
- The Landscape of Greek Prose (B)
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Classical Studies at University of St Andrews earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 15 months, £27,500 after 3 years, £34,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,000 and £46,500. The £34,500 median after five years is £1,500 more than the UK median for Language and area studies (other).
What do graduates of MA Classical Studies at University of St Andrews do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Classical Studies at University of St Andrews?
97% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Classical Studies at University of St Andrews?
The typical offer is AAA at A level. The average entrant had 186 UCAS points.
Does MA Classical Studies at University of St Andrews include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Classical Studies at University of St Andrews?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.