English and Classical Studies

English and classical studies is a combination that reads Western literature through time, from Homer and Virgil to Shakespeare and contemporary fiction, examining how later writers have engaged with, transformed, and pushed back against the traditions the ancient world established. Classical studies, taught using English translations, gives you direct access to the texts, myths, and ideas that have shaped European literary culture for two millennia, while English literature develops your ability to read the modern and contemporary literary tradition with the same rigour and sensitivity.

At Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, this three-year full-time joint honours degree gives you the opportunity to study the literature of the English-speaking world alongside ancient Greek and Roman culture and literature, as the course describes. You will develop close reading and analytical skills across both traditions, learning to trace lines of influence and to appreciate how ancient themes and forms have been re-worked by later writers, as well as to evaluate each tradition on its own terms. The programme includes a sandwich placement year, a year abroad, and work placement opportunities, giving you professional experience and international exposure alongside your literary studies.

Graduates from English and classical studies go on to work in publishing, journalism, education, heritage, the arts, broadcasting, the civil service, and the many professional roles that reward careful reading, strong writing, and the ability to engage with complex texts and ideas. The classical dimension adds particular value for those interested in heritage, translation, academic research, and the many professional contexts where a deep understanding of the Western literary tradition is an advantage. Many graduates also pursue postgraduate study in English literature, classics, ancient history, or creative writing.