Central & East European Studies/Classics

Central and East European studies combined with classics is an unusual but richly productive pairing. Central and Eastern Europe has been one of the most turbulent and consequential regions of the modern world, shaped by revolution, empire, war, communist transformation, and the upheavals that followed the collapse of the Soviet bloc. Classics, meanwhile, brings you into contact with the Greek and Roman worlds whose intellectual, political, and cultural legacies continue to shape European civilisation down to the present day.

Together, the two disciplines give you deep historical grounding and the analytical tools to understand both the ancient roots and the contemporary realities of European culture and politics.

At the University of Glasgow, this part-time joint degree charts the key issues in Central and Eastern Europe from the Baltic to the Balkans and from Berlin to Vladivostok, examining the rise of populism, the Russo-Ukrainian war, and continuing instability across the region alongside the social and political transformations that have defined the area since 1989. The classics component develops your engagement with the ancient world through language, literature, history, and philosophy. The programme includes a year abroad, which allows you to study these subjects in an international context.

Glasgow's research strengths in both areas underpin a programme of genuine intellectual depth.

Graduates with this combination are well placed for careers in diplomacy, international relations, journalism, cultural institutions, education, research, and the broad range of professions that engage with European history and contemporary affairs. Knowledge of Central and Eastern Europe is increasingly valued in policy and business contexts as the region's strategic importance grows. Postgraduate study in European studies, classical studies, international relations, or modern history is a natural progression for those who want to deepen their expertise.