Open Spaces. Open Minds.

Undergraduate study

Classical Civilisation

Overview

  • This is one of the most wide-ranging Classics undergraduate programmes in the UK.
  • You can gain exciting practical experience on a work placement; for example, on an archaeological dig or at a museum.
  • You have the opportunity to design a website on a classical topic.
  • Roehampton is close to London’s many world-class academic facilities, such as: 

Our multidisciplinary approach brings the classical worlds of Greece and Rome to life. This programme offers a wide range of subjects that explore classical civilisation and its profound influence on modern western culture.

In detail

For a complete description of this programme's aims, learning outcomes and the programme outline, see the full programme details.

For a complete list of this programme's modules and a detailed description of each of them, see the full module details.

Entry requirements

  • Offers are typically based in the range of 240–320 points from A-levels (Classical Civilisation, History, Art History, English are desirable but no previous knowledge of the subject is required), vocational A-levels, or equivalent, including the 14–19 Diploma.

Our offers are not solely based on academic results: we also take your skills, achievements and life experience into consideration. 

For further information refer to our general entrance requirements page, which includes a tariff table. If you need advice on entry requirements or applications, please contact our Enquiries Office on 020 8392 3232.

Year-by-year summary

First year

You obtain a solid grounding in the discipline in the first year. Core modules provide introductions to Greek and Roman literature and history. Optional modules expose you to a broader range of subjects including classical art and archaeology, social anthropology, ancient philosophy, and the Greek and Latin languages.

Second year

Building on first-year introductions, optional modules expand on aspects of antiquity and its influence on modern culture. A core module comprises a study of classical myths and mythology. You can also choose to continue to study Greek and Latin and to take a work placement.

Third year

You write a dissertation on a subject of your choice under the guidance of a supervisor. Optional modules offer specialised topics informed by current staff research and you can also choose to study advanced Greek and Latin.

Sample modules

  • Homer and the Epic Cycle
  • Pompeii
  • Violence and Law in Ancient Greece
  • Classics and Cinema
  • Politics, Society and Religion in the Late Roman Empire

Examples of past exam papers

Teaching methods

  • Interactive lectures
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Project work in museums and on field trips

Assessment methods

  • Coursework
  • Oral presentations
  • Oral and written examinations

Recommended reading

General

  • Beard, M. and Henderson, J. Classics. A Very Short Introduction (OUP, 1995)
  • Blois, L. and Spek, R. van de An Introduction to the Ancient World (Routledge, 1997)
  • Jones, P. Classics in Translation (Duckworth, 1998)

Greece

  • Boardman, J., Griffin, J. and Murray, O. Greece and the Hellenistic World (OUP, 1986)
  • Burn, A. The Pelican History of Greece (Penguin, 1978)
  • Cartledge, P. The Greeks (Oxford, 1993)
  • JACT The World of Athens (CUP, 1984)

Rome

  • Boardman, J., Griffin, J. and Murray, O. The Roman World (OUP, 1986)
  • Holland, R. Augustus: Godfather of Europe (Sutton, 2004)
  • Scullard, H. From the Gracchi to Nero (London, 1982)
  • Wallace-Hadrill, A. Augustan Rome (Bristol, 1993)

Literature

  • Easterling, P. and Knox, B. The Cambridge History of Classical Literature (CUP, 1985)
  • Feder, L. The Handbook of Classical Literature (London, 1998)
  • Howatson, M. Concise Oxford Companion to Classical Literature (OUP, 1993)
  • Rutherford, R. Classical Literature: a Concise History (Blackwell, 2004)

Art and archaeology

  • Burn, L. The British Museum Book of Greek and Roman Art (British Museum, 1991)
  • Greene, K. Archaeology: an Introduction (Routledge, 2002)
  • Wood, M. In Search of the Trojan War (BBC, 2001)
  • Woodford, S. Introduction to Greek Art (Duckworth, 1997)

Some ancient texts

  • Homer, The Iliad, translated by E.V. Rieu, (Penguin, 2003)
  • Homer, The Odyssey, translated by E.V. Rieu, (Penguin, 2003)
  • Euripides, Medea and Other Plays, translated by P. Vellacott (Penguin, 1999)
  • Ovid, The Erotic Poems, translated by P. Green (Penguin, 1982)
  • Virgil, Aeneid, translated by D. West, (Penguin, 2002)

Facilities

On campus

The University Library offers an excellent range of resources for the study of Classical Civilisation, including numerous online resources such as JStor and Project Muse.

Off campus

Roehampton is close to many world-class facilities in London, including:

Student perspectives

Examples of student work

The Mythology Project

E-resources are becoming increasingly important in the communication of information. The Mythology Project in the second year uses e-learning as its core method of assessment. Students construct their own websites on a mythological theme.

Work placements

Work placements are an exciting way of gaining practical experience to back up your theoretical knowledge. One of the objectives of the Work Placement scheme is that we encourage the transfer of learning from the university environment into the workplace, and then to incorporate that learning back into your studies.

Archaeological dig: Colchester

Emma Sanford, third-year student, excavated a Roman Cremation Urn at Calvery Barracks on a work placement at Colchester Archaeological Trust.

Archaeological dig: Vindolanda

For her work placement, Sophie Dobson, a second-year student, took part in an archaeological dig at Vindolanda: a fascinating Roman fort and settlement south of Hadrian’s Wall. Recent excavations have uncovered numerous buildings and some of the best-preserved artefacts from the Roman world, such as Roman boots, shoes, armour, jewellery and coins. Excavations take place every year and offer ample opportunities for volunteers, experienced or not.

"During my time at Vindolanda I was able to learn about Roman Britain in a hands-on fashion and this contributed greatly to my decision on my third-year dissertation topic to be on the frontiers of Roman Britain."

Sophie Dobson, Classical Civilisation student

School work placement

Laura Jeffrey, a second-year student, taught pupils about mythology on a work placement at Sacred Heart High School.

Museum work placement

Julian Jest worked at the Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology in Reading on a weekly basis over the course of the spring term. As part of his project he developed an online shop for the museum, which involved researching, buying and marketing products that he thought would remind people of their visit to the museum.

"I really enjoyed the work that I was able to do at the Ure Museum, and I am thinking more seriously about a career in museum work. I have now been able to go on and secure a volunteer position in a museum in the San Francisco area for the summer."

Julian Jest, Classical Civilisation student

Career prospects

The skills in thinking, arguing and communicating that you will develop in your investigations of this exciting period are transferable to a wide variety of different professions and careers. Employers are always looking for broad generalists with such skills and Classical Civilisation graduates find careers in:

  • museums
  • education
  • the civil service
  • arts administration
  • media
  • business
  • government.

Subject area

School of Arts webpages

Related programmes

Undergraduate

Postgraduate

Staff

 
  • Classical statues at Trevi Fountain, Rome.Trevi Fountain, Rome
  • 1

Entry tariff: 240–320 points
UCAS code: V901

Single or Combined Honours
View combinations

Duration (years):
3 (full-time), 4–7 (part-time),
September or January start

Tuition fees (per year):
£3,290 (UK/EU)
£9,599 (international)

Contact: Enquiries Office
Tel: 020 8392 3232
Email: enquiries@roehampton.ac.uk

How to applyAttend an Open DayOrder a Prospectus
 
 
 
 
© Copyright 2010 Roehampton University. All rights reserved.