Classical Studies

Classical studies is the scholarly engagement with the civilisations of ancient Greece and Rome, two of the most influential cultures in the history of the western world. Their literature, philosophy, history, art, architecture and political thought have shaped European culture continuously from antiquity to the present, and studying them provides a profound and distinctive perspective on questions about human nature, society, power and beauty that remain very much alive. At the University of Reading, this three-year full-time programme approaches the classical world through a combination of rigorous scholarship and imaginative engagement, and it builds in substantial professional and international experience.

The programme includes a sandwich placement year, a year abroad and a work placement, meaning you will spend significant time in professional and international settings before you graduate. You will study ancient Greek and Roman literature in translation alongside history, archaeology, mythology, philosophy and the reception of classical culture in later periods. You will develop the analytical and argumentative skills that come from sustained engagement with complex texts and ideas, and you will learn to work with scholarly evidence and to construct well-grounded historical and literary interpretations.

Graduates in classical studies are valued across a wide range of careers for their analytical depth, their breadth of cultural knowledge and their ability to communicate clearly. Law, the civil service, journalism, publishing, education, heritage and the arts are all common destinations, and the placement and international experience built into this programme give graduates practical advantages alongside their academic qualification. The ability to think historically, to engage with ideas across long time spans and to appreciate the complexity of human institutions is useful in any career that involves judgement and communication.

Many graduates also continue to postgraduate study in classics, ancient history, archaeology or related humanities disciplines.