Classics

Classics at Cambridge

Our course encompasses the history, culture, archaeology, art, philosophy and linguistics of classical antiquity and the study of original texts and artefacts. You can either specialise in a particular field or retain the breadth with which the course starts.

The Faculty of Classics has an exceptional reputation for teaching and research.

The courses

Classics at Cambridge is open to all in equal measure. We welcome and support students with no ancient language experience whatsoever as well as students who have started Greek and/or Latin before university.

The four-year course is for those with little or no Latin, and offers a preliminary year which focuses on Latin language and Roman culture. Years 2, 3 and 4 are identical to the three-year course. 

The three-year course is usually for students with A Level/IB Higher Level Latin or equivalent (regardless of whether they have Greek). We offer an intensive ancient Greek programme for those with little or no Classical Greek.

If you have A Level/IB Higher Level (or equivalent) Classical Greek but not Latin, you may be advised to take the four-year degree (depending on circumstances – please contact the Faculty at access@classics.cam.ac.uk or a College admissions office for guidance).

Facilities and resources

The Faculty’s facilities include a well-stocked library and our own Museum of Classical Archaeology. In addition, you have access to the holdings of the Fitzwilliam Museum, where some classes take place. There’s a thriving student society, and the renowned Cambridge Greek Play (produced in the original language) is regularly staged by a professional director. We also offer various undergraduate prizes, bursaries and travel grants.

Course costs

Tuition fees

Information on tuition fee rates for Classics is available on the tuition fees page.

Additional course costs

The majority of students find it convenient to purchase a grammar and a dictionary for both languages. Excellent resources are free online (including many apps) and good second-hand copies of the Faculty-recommended dictionaries and grammars should not exceed a total of £50.

Many students prefer to purchase their own copies of certain texts relevant to the papers they take. The Faculty estimates the cost of this is approximately £15-30 in Part IA and, depending on the modules chosen, up to £100 in Part IB. Many Colleges have a book grant scheme and students should contact their Director of Studies for advice. Students are well provided by the Faculty, University and College libraries but also use the vast online second-hand market both for purchasing and later selling on course texts.

Prior to arrival, students taking the four-year course, and students on the three-year course following the intensive ancient Greek programme, incur the following additional costs.

Four-year course

Year 1: Pre-sessional two week course in early September – accommodation, tuition, breakfast and dinner are all provided by the Faculty, but students must cover the cost of their lunch.

Three-year course (intensive ancient Greek programme)

For students who will be taking the Intensive Greek programme, we recommend to them as offer holders attending the JACT Greek summer course (or getting alternative Greek tuition). There is a charge for the JACT Greek summer course, see the JACT website for further information. Bursaries of up to 100 per cent are provided by the Faculty for Cambridge offer-holders, depending on household income. Please contact the Summer School for further information.

Changing course

Most of our students appreciate the breadth of the subjects offered and the opportunity to define their own course of study, but Classics provides an excellent base for studies in a number of different arts and humanities subjects, and it is possible to change course after Part I (Year 2).

The broad scope of papers available also makes Classics Part II (Year 3) an attractive option after Part I of another course (certain combinations of Part II papers may be taken without knowledge of Greek and Latin).

For the possibility of combining Classical Greek or Classical Latin with a modern language, see Modern and Medieval Languages.

To be able to change course, you need the agreement of your College that any change is in your educational interests, and you must have the necessary background in the subject to which you wish to change – in some cases you may be required to undertake some catch-up work or take up the new course from the start/an earlier year. If you think you may wish to change course, we encourage you to contact a College admissions office for advice. You should also consider if/how changing course may affect any financial support arrangements.

Careers

Studying Classics will help you develop transferable skills that are essential for many careers after graduation. Our students are hard-working, articulate, accurate and efficient, take new tasks in their stride and can master situations intelligently.

Some graduates go into research and teaching in schools and universities, or work in libraries and museums. But most go into other careers – in law, the media, accountancy, the Civil Service, industry and business. Our graduates include bankers, barristers, solicitors, actors, musicians and theatrical artistic directors.