Classical Studies

The Bristol Classics Department is one of the highest-ranking and largest in the country, allowing us to cover many areas of Greco-Roman civilisation, including poetry and philosophy, history and politics, and visual arts in the form of sculpture, painting, and architecture. We are also internationally renowned for our research on the reception of the classics by more recent thinkers and artists, from Milton and Shakespeare to Freud and modern cinema. This expertise means you can be assured of high-quality, energetic and up-to-the-minute teaching.

Classical Studies courses

Single honours

BA Classical Studies (Q810)

Joint honours

BA English and Classical Studies (QQ38)

Why study Classical Studies at Bristol?

The Classical Studies degree is designed to provide you with not only a broad knowledge of Greco-Roman civilisation but also the critical thinking skills you need to appreciate its art, literature, history and philosophy with sophistication and subtlety. Your curriculum will include both skills units and core topics, such as drama, epic poetry and visual art in antiquity as well as a choice from a selection of optional units, including Greek or Latin languages. You will also learn a great deal about the continuing influence and relevance of classical antiquity from the Renaissance to the present.

What kind of student would this course suit?

This course suits students with very broad intellectual interests. You will have the opportunity to study many aspects of Greek and Roman cultures and their legacies in the post-classical world. You should enjoy talking and writing about literature, visual art, philosophy, history, and other forms of culture, and be prepared to learn new ways of interpreting them.

How is this course taught and assessed?

Teaching methods include lectures, large- and small-group seminars, guided translations, and personal consultations. These will allow you to develop valuable skills in conducting research, formal and informal writing, extemporaneous discussion and oral presentation. You will encounter a variety of modes of assessment, which may include portfolios, group projects, blogs, formal essays and dissertations, and in-class or end-of-term exams.

What are my career prospects?

The skills in critical thinking, persuasive writing and self-expression provided by the interdisciplinary study of Classical Studies are transferable to a wide range of careers. Graduates have found positions in research, administration, media, museums, art galleries, heritage management, the Civil Service, law, accountancy, computing, commerce and industry, and teaching. Many of our graduates go on to further study.