BA Classical Studies,
About this course
BA Classical Studies is an undergraduate degree exploring the literature, culture, history, and mythology of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds. Core topics include Research Methods. The curriculum includes independent investigation through an extended research project in the final year. The first year establishes foundational knowledge through compulsory modules such as Of Gods and Mortals - Introduction to Greek Mythology, History of the Mediterranean World (c.1000 BCE – c. 500 CE), and Ovid's Metamorphoses: Transformations of Mythology, alongside optional choices in ancient languages, philosophy, and Egyptian history. The second year builds upon this through Reading Classical Civilisation, while introducing options covering literature, philosophy, and archaeology, including a schools work placement module. The final year centres on the Extended Research Project in Classics, Ancient History and Egyptology alongside specialized optional modules spanning Roman Britain, ancient religion, and philosophy.
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-BBC IB: 32 points
See the highest paying History, Philosophy & Religion degrees in the UK →
What students say
Based on about 12 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 87%
- Learning opportunities: 87%
- Assessment and feedback: 89%
- Academic support: 93%
- Organisation and management: 90%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 84%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 25 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 45%
- Further study: 20%
- Unemployed: 20%
Most common jobs
- Elementary occupations: 25%
- Administrative occupations: 20%
- Process, plant and machine operatives: 15%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 55%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 35%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 20%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 120 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 9%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 11%
- East of England: 9%
- London: 14%
- South East: 21%
- South West: 12%
- Wales: 17%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 5%
Modules
- Of Gods and Mortals - Introduction to Greek Mythology
- History of the Mediterranean World (c.1000 BCE – c. 500 CE)
- Ovid's Metamorphoses: Transformations of Mythology
- Introduction to Ancient Egyptian History, Culture and Society
- Fundamental Issues in Philosophy
- Beginning Greek 1
- Intermediate Greek 1
- Further Greek 1
- Beginning Latin 1
- Intermediate Latin 1
- Further Latin 1
- Introduction to Ancient Philosophy and Rhetoric
- Voices of the Nile: 3000 years of storytelling in ancient Egyptian literature
- Pompeii and beyond
- Beginning Greek 2
- Intermediate Greek 2
- Further Greek 2
- Beginning Latin 2
- Intermediate Latin 2
- Further Latin 2
- Reading Classical Civilisation
- The Greek Romance: Sea, Sun and Sex
- Roman Love Poetry
- Plato's Republic
- Intermediate Greek 1
- Beginning Greek 1
- Archaic Greece
- The Heirs of Rome: The Making of Christendom, Byzantium, and Islam in the Early Middle Ages, 400-800
- Gender in the Roman World
- Intermediate Latin 1
- Beginning Latin 1
- Intermediate Greek 2
- Beginning Greek 2
- The Imperial Image: Roman Emperors and Imperial Women in History, Literature and Art.
- Guided Research Project
- Alexander and the Hellenistic world
- Intermediate Latin 2
- Beginning Latin 2
- Schools work placement: Teaching ancient history and ancient languages
- The Past in the Present: Exploring Heritage Practice and Debates
- Introduction to Egyptian Archaeology
- Language of the Pharaohs: An Introduction to Hieroglyphic Literacy
- Debating Texts: Theory in Literature
- Revolution of the Word: Modernism
- Exploring the Bloody Chamber: Medieval to Postmodern
- Philosophy of the Enlightenment
- Philosophy of Mind
- Egyptian Art and Architecture
- Fragments of Union: The Cultural Making and Breaking of Britain
- Contentious Shakespeare
- Medieval Encounters
- A Matter of Life and Death: Exploring Existential Philosophy
- Contemporary Moral Controversies
- Extended Research Project in Classics, Ancient History and Egyptology
- The Greek Romance: Sea, Sun and Sex
- Intermediate Greek 1
- Further Greek 1
- Culture and Control in Roman Britain
- Archaic Greece
- Intermediate Latin 1
- Further Latin 1
- Monarchy: Ancient and Medieval
- Roman Love Poetry
- Plato's Republic
- Intermediate Greek 2
- Further Greek 2
- Pagans, Christians, and the "Falls" of Rome
- Alexander and the Hellenistic world
- Intermediate Latin 2
- Further Latin 2
- Schools work placement: Teaching ancient history and ancient languages
- After Empire: Pharaonic Egypt in the first millennium BCE
- Welsh Gothic / Gothic Wales
- Written in Blood: Reading the Vampire
- Graphic Novel
- African American Literature 1910-1940: The Harlem Renaissance
- Chaucer
- Philosophy, Mental Health and Illness
- Philosophy of Mind
- The Archaeology of Ancient Nubia - Egypt's Neighbour in Africa
- Madness, Malady and Melancholia: Literature and Medicine from Genesis to Genomes
- The Swansea University International Dylan Thomas Prize Module
- Beyond Shakespeare
- Philosophy and Literature
- The Philosophy and Politics of Identity
- Reality and Cognition: Topics in Metaphysics and Epistemology
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Classical Studies, at Swansea University earn?
The median salary is £25,000 after 15 months, £20,500 after 3 years, £25,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,000 and £31,500. The £25,500 median after five years is £6,000 less than the UK median for Classics.
What do graduates of BA Classical Studies, at Swansea University do next?
65% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Classical Studies, at Swansea University?
87% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Classical Studies, at Swansea University?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 111 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Classical Studies, at Swansea University?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.