MA Classics
About this course
MA (Honours) in Classics, a classics degree centred on the study of ancient Greek and Latin literature, language, and culture within Modern Languages and Classics. The first year provides foundational study in both ancient languages through modules such as Greek Language for Beginners, Greek Pastoral and Passion, Elementary Latin 1, and World of Latin 1. The second year progresses to examine diverse prose and poetry texts, featuring modules like The Landscape of Greek Prose (B), The Landscape of Greek Poetry (B), Latin in Progress 1, and Latin Language and Literature 1. Later stages offer a broad selection of advanced optional study spanning topics such as Greek Tragedy, Epic Latin: Skills, Theory, Methods, Roman Satire, and Hellenistic Poetry.
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, including A in a foreign language. IB: 36 (HL 6,6,5), including HL6 in a foreign language.
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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
- Africa in Latin Literature
- Epic Latin: Skills, Theory, Methods
- Greeks and Barbarians
- Greeks on Education
- Greek Tragedy
- Hellenistic Poetry
- Horace and You
- Lies, History and Ideology
- Roman Biography
- Roman Comedy
- Roman Satire
- Senecan Tragedy
- The Greek Novels: Identity, Desire and Literary Transformation
- The History of Ancient Greek from Homer to the New Testament
- The Rest of the Story: Greek Epic after Homer
- Greek Language for Beginners : provides a thorough grounding in the Greek language for beginners or near beginners
- Greek Language and Literature 1 : involves detailed study of a range of set texts as well as linguistic and translation exercises designed to enhance students' knowledge of Greek and confidence in reading Greek literature in its historical and cultural context
- Greek Pastoral and Passion : introduces students to the thematic connections between bucolic or pastoral poetry and the Greek novel and involves detailed study of set texts and linguistic and translation exercises
- Elementary Latin 1 : provides an introduction to the Latin language for beginners, concentrating on morphology, vocabulary, and basic syntax
- Elementary Latin 2 : builds on work from 'Elementary Latin 1' and develops knowledge of Latin language and enables the reading of Latin texts for beginners
- World of Latin 1 : enhances understanding of Latin language and literature through the study of a range of verse or prose set texts in the original language and regular language classes. The authors chosen may vary from year to year
- World of Latin 2 : builds on work from 'World of Latin 1' and introduces students to a wider range of Latin literature
- The Landscape of Greek Prose (B) : designed for students to follow on from 'Greek Literature for Beginners', this module examines a wide range of Greek prose texts and enhances Greek language skills through regular language classes
- The Landscape of Greek Poetry (B) : following on from 'The Landscape of Greek Prose (B)', this module covers a diverse range of ancient poetry in the original Greek, starting with Homer’s Iliad, and enhances Greek language skills through regular language classes
- The Landscape of Greek Prose (A) : designed for students to follow on from 'Greek Pastoral and Passion', this module examines a wide range of Greek prose texts and enhances Greek language skills through regular language classes
- The Landscape of Greek Poetry (A) : following on from 'The Landscape of Greek Prose (A)', this module covers a diverse range of ancient poetry in the original Greek, starting with Homer’s Iliad, and enhances Greek language skills through regular language classes
- Latin in Progress 1 : building on work covered in 'Elementary Latin 1 and 2', this module introduces students to verse texts from the Republican period, and enhances Latin language skills through regular language classes. The authors chosen may vary from year to year
- Latin in Progress 2 : building on work from 'Latin in Progress 1', this module examines a wide range of texts in both prose and verse from the imperial period, and enhances Latin language skills through regular language classes
- Latin Language and Literature 1 : building on 'World of Latin 1 and 2', this module examines a wide range of verse texts taken mostly from the Republican period, and enhances Latin language skills through regular language classes. The authors chosen may vary from year to year
- Latin Language and Literature 2 : building on 'Latin Language and Literature 1', this module examines a wide range of prose texts from the Roman Imperial period, and enhances Latin language skills through regular language classes. The authors chosen may vary from year to year
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Classics 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 Classics 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 Classics 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 Classics at University of St Andrews?
The typical offer is AAA at A level. The average entrant had 186 UCAS points.
Does MA Classics 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 Classics at University of St Andrews?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.