- UCAS course code
- Q810
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
BA Classical Studies
Explore the world of classical literature and culture in this wide-ranging and flexible degree.
Duration: 3 years
Year of entry: 2026
UCAS course code: Q810 / Institution code: M20
- Key features:
Study with a language
- Typical A-level offer: ABB
- Typical contextual A-level offer: BBC
- UK refugee/care-experienced offer: BBC
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 34 points overall with 6,5,5 at HL
Overview
Course overview
- Explore the literature, culture and history of the Greek and Roman worlds, alongside specialist course units in ancient literature, history, religion, philosophy, art, Egyptology or archaeology.
- Study the legacy of the ancient world and uncover its impact on modern culture.
- Option to take Greek or Latin (or both) at beginner or advanced level.
- Study at a Top 10 UK university for arts and humanities (QS World University Rankings 2024).
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- School of Arts, Languages and Cultures
- Telephone
- +44 (0)161 509 2871
- ug-classics@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- https://www.alc.manchester.ac.uk/cahae/
- School/Faculty overview
-
See: About us
Related courses
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Entry requirements
A-level
ABB including one essay based subject.
Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offer you will receive.
Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.
A-level contextual offer
BBC including one essay based subject.
Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offer you will receive.
Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.
Contextual offers are available for applicants who:
- live in the UK and will be under the age of 21 on 1 September of the year they will start their course; and
- live in an area of disadvantage or with low progression into higher education; and
- have attended a UK school or college for their GCSEs or A-levels (or equivalent qualifications) that has performed below the national average over multiple years.
See our contextual admissions page for full details and to check your eligibility.
UK refugee/care-experienced offer
BBC including one essay based subject.
Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offer you will receive.
Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.
UK refugee/care-experienced offers are available for applicants who:
- have been looked after in care for more than three months; or
- have been granted refugee status by the UK government or have been issued a UK visa under one of the Ukrainian schemes (Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family Scheme or Ukraine Extension Scheme).
See our contextual admissions page for full details and to check your eligibility.
International Baccalaureate
34 points overall. 6,5,5 in Higher Level subjects
Applicants studying the International Baccalaureate Career Related Programme (IBCP) should contact the admissions team prior to applying so that their academic profile can be considered.
GCSE/IGCSE
Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade 6 or B in GCSE/IGCSE English Language and Grade 4 or B in Mathematics. GCSE/IGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/IGCSE English Language.
Please note that if you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the admissions team in your academic School/Department for clarification.
Other entry requirements
Other entry requirements exist for this course. You may view these by selecting from the list below.
Country-specific entry requirements
English language requirements
All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either:
GCSE/IGCSE English Language grade B/6, or;
IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each sub-test, or;
An acceptable equivalent qualification.
Please note that if you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School for clarification.
If you need to improve your English language skills to meet the entry requirements for your academic course, the University Centre for Academic English (UCAE) summer pre-sessional courses can help. Check if your academic course offers the option of taking a pre-sessional course on the UCAE page .
The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student requiring a visa to study in the UK must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language (common European Framework (CEFR B2 level) to be granted a Student Route visa (previously known as a Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level.
In addition, our academic Schools/Departments may require applicants to demonstrate English proficiency above the B2 level. Further information about our English Language policy, including a list of some of the English Language qualifications we accept, can be found here .
English language test validity
Fees and funding
Fees
Fees for entry in 2026 have not yet been set. For entry in 2025 the tuition fees were £9,535 per annum for home students, and are expected to increase slightly for 2026 entry.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
- Find out more from student finance
- Eligible UK students can apply for bursaries and scholarships
- Funding for EU and international students is on our country-specific pages
- Many students work part-time or complete a student internship
Application and selection
How to apply
Advice to applicants
Potential candidates are expected to demonstrate why they have chosen this particular degree in their personal statement and express why the course interests them.
Applicants submitting mitigating circumstances
If you are submitting information about mitigating circumstances that have affected, or are likely to affect, your academic performance, you should include this in the referee's report.
We cannot usually take into account information that is supplied after an adverse decision has been made on an application by the admitting school.
(Examples of mitigating circumstances include family illness, problems with school facilities or an unusual curriculum followed by your school of college.)
Home-schooled applicants
Non-standard educational routes
Mature students are some of our most well-equipped learners, bringing skills and attributes gained from work, family and other life experiences. Students come from a whole array of backgrounds, study every kind of course, undertake full-time and part-time learning and are motivated by career intentions as well as personal interest. There is no such thing as a typical mature student at Manchester.
The application process is the same as for other prospective undergraduates. If you require further clarification about the acceptability of the qualifications you hold please contact the academic School(s) you plan to apply to. Further information for mature students can be found here ( http://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/mature-students/ )
How your application is considered
Interview requirements
Returning to education
Overseas (non-UK) applicants
Deferrals
We welcome applications for deferred entry and feel a gap year benefits many students.
We do ask applicants to let us know as early as possible if they are intending to defer. This helps us to adjust the number of offers we make, in order to achieve the required number of students in a given year.
Re-applications
Transfers
We will consider applications to transfer to Manchester from other universities and would normally ask for a letter explaining why a transfer was needed, relevant transcripts, a copy of the applicant's UCAS form and a confidential reference from one of the applicant's current university tutors.
We will consider applications to transfer from other degrees within the University of Manchester but applicants are required to have the A-level grades (or other qualifications) needed for entry to that degree programme.
Both of the above are subject to our having enough places to accommodate such applicants. Enquiries should be made to the admissions administrator for the subject (see contact details).
Course details
Course description
You'll be taught by leading experts in Greek and Roman literature, language, culture and history, and can choose from a diverse range of course units with topics including ancient storytelling, tragic drama, love poetry and exile literature.
Study with us and you'll also have access to exclusive resources such as the Special Collections of The John Rylands Library (home to papyri, medieval manuscripts and early printed books including very early copies of the Homeric poems) and the Manchester Museum (the University's own on-campus holdings) with its world-class Egyptology collections.
In addition, you can broaden your studies with options as diverse as Alexander the Great, the Roman Family, ancient philosophy and Egyptology.
We also offer further options in related areas, including Modern History, Religions and Theology and History of Art.
You can also study ancient languages, enabling you to explore texts and literature in the original language.
Although language study is not required, all students are encouraged to take a language option and, if successful, to continue language study throughout the course if they so wish. Both Latin or Greek can be studied from beginner level or beginning at advanced level, while it is possible to begin the study of language in any of the three years.
Special features
Placement year option
Apply your subject-specific knowledge in a real-world context through a placement year in your third year of study, enabling you to enhance your employment prospects, clarify your career goals and build your external networks.
Study abroad
You can apply to spend one semester studying abroad during Year 2, with exchange partners including those in Europe as well as the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Explore world-class collections
Enjoy unique opportunities to explore special archived material and carry out research in a wide range of archives, libraries, museums and other research institutions in Manchester and beyond.
Teaching and learning
You'll learn through a variety of methods. Lectures will help broaden your understanding of subjects, while small group tutorials and seminars will help you to deep-dive into these topics.
Language classes are taught intensively, with group sizes capped to encourage participation.
Independent study and original research will help you to advance, as well as making the most of the specialist knowledge of your tutors.
Coursework and assessment
Assessment practices in different course units vary, but our basic aim is to achieve a good balance between formal examinations, continuous assessment, and project work.
Written examinations are held at the end of most courses. The third-year dissertation provides 25% of the total marks for your degree.
Course content for year 1
Course units for year 1
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAHE10101 | 20 | Mandatory | |
| CAHE10422 | 20 | Mandatory | |
| CAHE10011 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE10022 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE10142 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE10232 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE10651 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE20151 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE20162 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE20171 | 20 | Optional | |
| Displaying 10 of 23 course units for year 1 | |||
| Display all course units for year 1 | |||
Course content for year 2
Course units for year 2
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAHE20022 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE20042 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE20052 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE20061 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE20072 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE20091 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE20112 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE20141 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE20151 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE20162 | 20 | Optional | |
| Displaying 10 of 35 course units for year 2 | |||
| Display all course units for year 2 | |||
Course content for year 3
Course units for year 3
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAHE30000 | 40 | Mandatory | |
| CAHE20151 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE20162 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE20171 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE30022 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE30072 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE30091 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE30111 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE30121 | 20 | Optional | |
| CAHE30141 | 20 | Optional | |
| Displaying 10 of 32 course units for year 3 | |||
| Display all course units for year 3 | |||
Facilities
The John Rylands Library
At The John Rylands Library , you'll have exclusive access to our internationally significant collections, including papyri, medieval manuscripts and early printed books such as very early copies of the Homeric poems.
Manchester Museum
The UK's leading university museum has more than four million objects spanning millennia, including one of the largest collections of ancient Egyptian artefacts in the UK. Go behind-the-scenes to handle, analyse and interpret rare artefacts, including exclusive material specific to ancient history.
Visit our facilities page to find out more.
Disability support
Careers
Career opportunities
Going from Classics to Law was an easy switch thanks to the skills which I had gained from my Classics degree.
The essay writing throughout my undergraduate studies taught me how to construct arguments and articulate myself well, and these skills have proved to be extremely advantageous throughout my legal studies.
Lydia Goodman / BA Classical Studies graduate & trainee barrister
Allour courses involve the development of strong transferable skills, encouraging students to think logically and imaginatively to interpret andanalyseinformation and data.
A degree in Classics or Ancient History will equip you with the ability to effectively communicate ideas and demonstrate an intricate understanding of different cultures and societies, leading to a career in wide range of industries.
You'll have various opportunities to gain professional and practical experience.
Many employers seek graduates who have skills in many fields of expertise.
Flexible Honours may allow you to study another subject within the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures.
This is besides your major within Classics, Ancient History, Archaeology and Egyptology.
Alternatively, you could study selected course units from other courses around the University.
This is through the University College for Interdisciplinary Learning.
You can also apply to spend a year gaining valuable workplace experience on a work placement.
The creative economy accounts for one in 11 jobs across the UIK and employs 700,000 more people than the financial services industry(Creative Industries Federation).
The University of Manchester is the second most targeted university in the UK for top graduate employers (High Fliers Research, 2024).
Our award-winning careers service provides a wealth of tools, advice, development opportunities and industry links.
You'll have access to dedicated, subject-specific support throughout your studies and for up to two years after graduation.
Our undergraduate courses are also designed to provide an easy transition into postgraduate study, if desired.
We offer a wide range of specialist master's courses within the University and even offer fast-tracked enrolment to high-achieving undergraduate students.
Our students can take part in our Stellifyprogrammealongside their degrees, developing professional and leadership skills while contributing to their local and global communities through volunteering.
Our graduates have gone on to work in a variety of industries, including positionswithBBC, Google, UK government, museums, cultural institutions and law firms.
Regulated by the Office for Students
The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website.
You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website.