Classical Literature and Philosophy

Classical literature and philosophy address the twin foundations of Western intellectual life. The literary strand encompasses the poetry, drama, history and prose of ancient Greece and Rome, examined through close reading, translation and attention to the cultural and historical contexts in which these texts were produced. The philosophical strand engages with the arguments and ideas of thinkers from Plato and Aristotle through to the contemporary debates those ancient thinkers made possible, covering ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, logic and political philosophy.

Together they develop the kind of sustained, precise critical thinking that distinguishes graduates who can engage rigorously with the hardest questions.

At Leeds, this three-year programme incorporates a sandwich year, a year abroad and work placement opportunities. The year abroad gives you the opportunity to study at an international partner institution, perhaps engaging with classical scholarship or philosophy in a different academic tradition, while the placement and sandwich elements allow you to apply and test your skills in professional environments. You will read key texts in translation and, depending on your choices, may develop skills in ancient Greek or Latin.

The philosophical component will take you from ancient arguments through to contemporary debates, building your capacity for logical analysis and careful argumentation. The typical entry tariff is 152 UCAS points.

Graduates pursue careers in law, the civil service, public policy, journalism, publishing, education, heritage, philosophy in education, and academic research. The skills of close reading, argument analysis and precise written communication that this programme develops are transferable across almost every professional domain. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in philosophy, classical studies, ancient history, legal studies or related disciplines, some going on to doctoral research and careers in academia.