This three-year programme offers the opportunity to develop expertise in two ancient languages simultaneously, focusing on the study of Ancient Greek and Latin language and literature. Essay work helps students to develop a sophisticated approach to the ancient world.
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme
Pass in Access to HE Diploma, with a minimum of 18 credits awarded with Distinction in the Level 3 units, the remainder of the Level 3 units awarded with Merit.
D3,D3,M1 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects, including Latin or Greek at D3
A,A,B at Advanced Highers (or A,A at Advanced Higher and B,B,B at Higher), including Latin or Greek at grade A at Advanced Higher.
Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A-Levels at grades AAB, including Latin or Greek.
In addition to A level and International Baccalaureate, UCL considers a wide range of international qualifications for entry to its undergraduate degree programmes.
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency. Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.
The English language level for this programme is: Advanced
A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
UCL is ranked in the top three universities in the UK for Classics by the Guardian University Guide 2018.
You will have access to an unparalleled range of options, from Roman Love Poetry to Greek Palaeography, from Ancient Greek Religion to Roman Epic.
UCL has excellent library facilities, and is ideally situated, close to world-renowned resources such as the British Museum, the British Library and the Institute of Classical Studies.
The lively student-run Classical Society organises an annual Classics play (a Greek or Latin drama in translation), which is shown at the nearby Bloomsbury Theatre, as well as other events.
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
The main emphasis of the programme is on the study of Latin and Greek texts in the original language. The choice of options is very wide, but the language element follows a set pattern. Students must take at least 1.0 credit of Latin-based modules, and at least 1.0 credit of Greek-based modules per year. In addition, there are some compulsory modules in the first and second years involving texts in translation. The wide range of optional modules includes philosophy and science, ancient history and the various branches of archaeology.
The programme also allows you to take modules from outside the Classical World area, for example in a modern language, medieval or modern history, history of science or computing (a maximum of 1.0 credit in the first year, and 1.5 and 2.0 credits in the second and third years respectively).
In the second and third years, in certain circumstances, you may drop either Latin or Greek to concentrate on one or the other, leading to a qualification title of Greek with Latin BA or Latin with Greek BA.
An indicative guide to the structure of this programme, year by year.
1.0 credit of Greek-based modules
1.0 credit of Latin-based modules
Interpreting Greek Literature
Interpreting Latin Literature
You will select 1.0 credit from a wide range of optional modules.
1.0 credit of Greek-based modules
1.0 credit of Latin-based modules
Classics and Literary Theory
You will select 1.5 credits from a wide range of optional modules.
1.0 credits of Greek-based modules
1.0 credits of Latin-based modules
You will select 2.0 credits from a wide range of optional modules.
You will be taught through lectures, seminars and small-group work. Some sessions involve direct study of artefacts, including access to the collections of the British Museum.
Most modules combine both continuous assessment and end-of-year written examinations, although a few modules are assessed solely by one or other of these methods.
Detailed module descriptions are available on the department website: Classics BA.
Knowledge of languages such as Latin and Greek will allow you to develop mental agility and versatility, equipping you with the ability (amongst other things) to learn modern languages with comparative ease, opening up a wider range of possibilities in the future.
The Classics BA is a rigorous and broad-ranging degree which qualifies you for a remarkably wide variety of jobs. The Classical Society hosts regular talks from former students which may help guide you in your future career choices.
Career destinations in recent years have included: graduate study, teaching, law, computing, accountancy, marketing, banking, music (classical and popular), acting, the media, business, the voluntary sector, local government and politics.
UCL is commited to helping you get the best start after graduation. Read more about how UCL Careers and UCL Innovation and Enterprise can help you find employment or learn about entrepreneurship.
“For me, the best part about the Classics BA was the flexibility it afforded me. I was able to choose the modules I studied, and tailor a programme that met my needs and expectations. I had the opportunity to explore areas I'd not previously considered, gaining exposure to new disciplines. Being right in the heart of one of the world's best cities, UCL presents a unique set of opportunities in student life.”Liam Erskine - Classics BA 2012
“I came to UCL as an affiliate student from the US to the spring term. Within a month I was convinced that UCL was where I wanted to finish my degree. I applied to transfer permanently and returned in September.Elizabeth Haynes - Classics BA 2015
While I was at UCL, I did quite a bit of volunteering in teaching and mentoring secondary school students. I am now training at Cambridge to be a secondary school Classics teacher and the volunteering organisers at UCL certainly helped me prepare for the programme I am now on.”
“I was drawn to the Greek & Latin department at UCL for two reasons. Firstly, as a student you get the opportunity to live in the best city in the world, but whenever that might become overwhelming, you have the benefit of a small and supportive department to fall back on. One of the things that I think really makes UCL Greek & Latin different is the fact that students enjoy a very close relationship with their lecturers.”Antonia Wood - Classics BA 2015
The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2019/20 academic year. The UK/EU fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2019/20 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.
Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.
If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc. on this programme, please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).
Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.
Funding opportunities relevant to the department may appear in this section when they are available. Please check carefully or confirm with the programme contact to ensure they apply to this degree programme.
The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.
Entry to the degree is competitive so it is important you highlight your interest in and passion for the subject in your application. In addition to meeting the academic standards stated, we look for dedication and self-motivation, good communication skills and a real enthusiasm for your chosen area of study.
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
Application deadline: 15 January 2019
Each application is carefully assessed. Those candidates being considered for an offer will be invited to an applicant open day, which will include a lunch with staff and current students where you can discuss the degree programme, living in London and studying at UCL, and take a tour of the campus.
For further information on UCL's selection process see: Selection of students.