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Classical Studies

BA (Hons)

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:
October 2026
Study route:

  • Three years full-time, on campus


    UCAS code: QQ67

  • Four years part-time, on campus

  • Four years full-time, on campus with Foundation Year


    UCAS code: QQ6R

  • Six years part-time, on campus with Foundation Year

Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | On campus | with Foundation Year

Key information for 2027-28

Start date:
October 2027
Study route:

  • Three years full-time, on campus


    UCAS code: QQ67

  • Four years part-time, on campus

  • Four years full-time, on campus with Foundation Year


    UCAS code: QQ6R

  • Six years part-time, on campus with Foundation Year

Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | On campus | with Foundation Year

Course Overview

BA Classical Studies is a particularly diverse and stimulating degree, in which you explore the culture, history, archaeology, philosophy and literature of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds. You will gain valuable expertise in developing and communicating arguments based on the diverse, complex remains from the ancient world, understanding the limits of our knowledge but also how to push them further. You will also focus on how studying the Classical world, with all its attractive and disturbing features, can radically transform debates about key contemporary issues, such as: 

  • democracy
  • inequality
  • gender and sexuality.

  • Why choose this course?
    • You can tailor this course to suit your interests and needs from a wide range of options, covering Greek and Roman culture and society across the Mediterranean and Near East, from Homer to the Roman Empire, and the impact of Classical culture in later periods of history.
    • You will benefit throughout your degree from close personal tuition, mentoring and supervision from leading Classicists.
    • At Birkbeck we believe that the study of the Classical world should be accessible to all. Many of our students have no prior knowledge of either Greek or Latin. You can study ancient Greek and/or Latin flexibly, to suit your needs: one language module is compulsory, and you can also choose (if you wish) to develop your language skills to a higher level.
    • You will benefit from our close links, in teaching and research, with London museums and archaeological excavations across the Greco-Roman world, such as in our module The World of Rome in the Museums of London.

  • What will I learn?

    You will gain an advanced understanding of two ancient cultures which have shaped the modern world, but were also radically different from it. This will equip you for careers connected with the ancient world, such as in teaching, research, museums or heritage, but also with a whole new way of thinking about society, politics, education, literature and culture, which you can apply in many other different fields, such as law, business or the civil service. 

    You will master the wide range of methods and sources, including texts (ancient plays, speeches and laws) and archaeological remains, needed to reconstruct the ancient world. This will give you advanced skills, much desired by many employers, in analysis, argument and communication. You will also learn to understand, but also question, accepted narratives of ancient history and culture and their later impact, which will help you to develop your ability to construct and present a persuasive argument. 

    You will deepen your understanding of how language works, from grammar to its impact on society. This will transform your communication skills. 

    This course also offers you the opportunity to pursue an interest in environment studies by choosing option modules on the environment and environmental law to graduate with a BA Classical Studies with Environmental Studies.

  • How will I learn?

    You will benefit from attentive instruction from lecturers, all specialist researchers on the ancient world, through seminar teaching and mentoring. We place an emphasis on vibrant seminar discussion, enlivened by the diverse perspectives and experience of Birkbeck students. Language teaching in small groups provides the perfect context to make progress in Greek and/or Latin.

    In your final year, you will devise your own research project for the dissertation, supervised by one of our specialists.

    This course is available to study full- or part-time, with lectures, seminars and classes taking place in the evening. 

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time: Three evenings a week, October to July.

    Part-time: Two to three evenings a week, October to July.

  • Foundation Year

    If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study during an additional year (full-time) or two years (part-time) of supported study. This option is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.

    Once you successfully complete your Foundation Year studies, you will automatically advance onto the main full-time degree.

  • Course disclaimer

    Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More Highlights

  • Birkbeck was ranked in the top eight universities in the UK for its History research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
  • Situated in historic Bloomsbury, we are at the heart of academic London with access to unparalleled research resources. Very close by are: the Institute of Historical Research and the Institute of Classical Studies, with their specialist libraries, training facilities and seminars; the British Museum and other world-class galleries and museums; and the British Library, the largest national library in the world.
  • The School of Historical Studies at Birkbeck is home to thriving student societies and a number of affiliated research centres that actively run seminars, conferences and other events where some of the world's best scholars present their latest research.
  • Get a flavour of our teaching and research in this area through a wide range of free online and in-person seminars, workshops and tasters; also check out events at the Raphael Samuel History Centre, a leading centre for public history.

Modules and Teaching

School of Historical Studies

The school is intensively interdisciplinary and its research and teaching covers every period from prehistory to the early twenty-first century.

Visit the school

Entry Requirements

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

  • Full-time study - how many UCAS points do I need?
    • Three years full-time: 112 points (e.g. A-levels BBC - no A-level in Greek or Latin required)
    • Four years full-time with Foundation Year: 48 points

    For full-time study on this course, you apply via UCAS. The UCAS tariff score applies if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a tariff calculator for you to work out what your qualification is worth.

  • Part-time study

    For part-time study our standard requirements are a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent.

  • Alternative entry routes

    Three years full-time or four years part-time: Access to Higher Education Diploma with a minimum of 15 credits achieved at Merit or Distinction in humanities or social science units.

    Three years full-time: Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma - DMM

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the visa and funding requirements?

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

Clearing for 2026 is open
Apply now

Fees

Three years full-time, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Full-time home students: £9,790 per year
Full-time international students: £22,540 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Full-time home students: £10,050 per year
Full-time international students: £23,560 per year

Four years part-time, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Part-time home students: £7,335 per year
Part-time international students: £16,905 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Part-time home students: £7,530 per year
Part-time international students: £17,670 per year

Four years full-time, with Foundation Year, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Full-time home students, Year 1: £5,760 per year
Full-time international students, Year 1: £22,540 per year
Full-time home students, Year 2+: £9,790 per year
Full-time international students, Year 2+: £22,540 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Full-time home students, Year 1: £5,760 per year
Full-time international students, Year 1: £23,560 per year
Full-time home students, Year 2+: £10,050 per year
Full-time international students, Year 2+: £23,560 per year

Six years part-time, with Foundation Year, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Part-time home students, Year 1 and 2: £2,880 per year
Part-time international students, Year 1 and 2: £11,270 per year
Part-time home students, Year 3+: £7,335 per year
Part-time international students, Year 3+: £16,905 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Part-time home students, Year 1 and 2: £2,880 per year
Part-time international students, Year 1 and 2: £11,780 per year
Part-time home students, Year 3+: £7,530 per year
Part-time international students, Year 3+: £17,670 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see our Fees Policy.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating with this BA Classical Studies, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:  

  • a sophisticated use of written and spoken English, considerably strengthened through your study of ancient language(s)
  • an advanced critical ability in understanding and applying complex theories, both ancient ideas and modern
  • facility and precision in the use of analytical tools.
  • strong skills and initiative in collecting and organising complex materials and writing up clear, well-presented reports or fluent critical arguments.

Studying our course will prepare you for roles in a range of fields: 

  • academia and research
  • teaching
  • museums and the heritage sector
  • law
  • civil service
  • business
  • any occupation which values high-level analytical and communication skills.

Graduates from this course have gone on to be employed in areas including:  

  • the civil service
  • arts, heritage and museums
  • primary and secondary schools
  • libraries
  • City and recruitment firms
  • self-employed entrepreneurship.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student Support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to Apply

You apply via UCAS for our full-time undergraduate courses or directly to Birkbeck for our part-time undergraduate courses. For more detailed, step-by-step guidance on how to apply, visit our How to apply page.

  • How do I apply to study full-time (UCAS entry)?

    If you are applying for a full-time undergraduate course at Birkbeck you apply through UCAS. Use the Apply now button on this course page which will direct you to UCAS. There you will be prompted to sign in and create an account. You will have to give UCAS a few personal details, including your name, address and date of birth, and then you can start working on your application.

    The first UCAS deadline is in January, and the majority of university applications through UCAS are made by then. Find the exact deadline date on the UCAS website. We welcome applications outside of the UCAS deadlines, so you can still apply through UCAS after the January deadline, depending on the availability of places. We also take late applications via the UCAS Clearing system in August.

  • How do I apply to study part-time?

    If you are applying for a part-time undergraduate course (usually four or six years), you apply directly to Birkbeck online by using the Apply now button. You will need to prove your identity when you apply.

    Please note that online application opens in September.

  • When should I apply?

    You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places left, and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.

    You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.

  • How can I get help with my application?

    Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.

    Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.

  • International agents

    If you are an international agent applying to Birkbeck on behalf of an international student, please use Birkbeck's agent portal.

Related courses

Study routes for Classical Studies (BA (Hons))

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Important: Applications to study part-time in 2027/28 will open in October 2026.

2026-27

Full-time

Part-time

2027-28

Full-time