Program Overview

---

BA Classical Studies (Q810)

2026 entry

Course summary

Classical Studies at Bristol allows you to explore real-world issues like gender, race, and our relationship with the environment, by studying the dynamic cultures of the Ancient Mediterranean.

As Bristol is close to ancient sites like Bath and Caerleon, you will enhance your studies with field trips and we run trips to cities rich in ancient heritage, like Rome or Pompeii.

Studying Classical Studies involves developing knowledge about all aspects of a culture, learning to analyse a range of types of evidence, and making effective arguments. These are skills highly prized by employers, so our students go on to succeed in a variety of fields, including teaching, technology, finance and broadcasting.

With our broad range of subjects and types of assessment, you will have the opportunity to use your creativity, follow your ideas and research independently, and build innovative team projects.

Whether you are completely new to the subject or you have been inspired by previous experience, studying Classical Studies at Bristol will mean you discover new ways of exploring the ancient Mediterranean. You will expand your knowledge of Greco-Roman cultures while enriching your understanding of the challenges facing us today.

Overview

Typical offer

• A-level standard offer: AAB
• A-level contextual offer: BBB

Programme duration

• 3 year(s) full-time.
• Part-time study is not available for this course

Location

• Clifton campus

Fees

• £9,535 per year, home students
• £27400 per year, international students

Course structure

You will develop the core knowledge and critical thinking skills of a Classical Studies scholar by combining mandatory units with optional ones. Our group first-year units are specifically designed to introduce you to Classical Studies at university level, no matter your previous experience of the subject. You will explore a huge range of source materials throughout your degree: art, classical literature (including poetry and drama) and archaeology. There is no requirement to read Latin or Greek, however, you will have the option to study these languages, too. You will also have the option to take other units from elsewhere in the Faculty of Arts, or beyond.

In your second year, you will take units which help you to think more deeply about the malleability of classics - where are the borders of the ancient Mediterranean? How has classical culture been represented in the past? In your third year, you can choose from an exciting range of specialist subjects based on our department's world-class research. You will hone your own skills in independent research by writing a dissertation exploring a topic of your choosing. You will also take the Applied Classics unit, which involves planning, marketing and executing a project inspired by what you love about the ancient world.

Entry requirements

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.

A-level standard offer

• AAB

A-level contextual offer

• BBB

BTEC

• DDD. in any Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma

International Baccalaureate Diploma

• 34 points overall with 17 at Higher Level

International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer

• 31 points overall with 15 at Higher Level

European Baccalaureate

• 80% overall

Scottish Qualifications Authority

• Advanced Higher: AB, and Standard Higher: AAABB

Access to HE Diploma

• Access to HE Diploma in Humanities, Social Sciences, Law or History (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include 24 credits at Distinction and 21 at Merit or above.

Welsh Baccalaureate

• Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales or the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.

Cambridge Pre-U

• Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.

International qualifications

• The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

GCSE profile requirements

• No specific subjects required.

English language requirements

• If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
  • IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing and 6.5 in all other skills
  • GCSE English Language grade B or 6
  • an alternative qualification outlined in our Profile level B.

Selection process

• Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement are found in the University admissions policies and procedures.
• If applying with extenuating circumstances please see our policy.
• Full information about our selection processes for Classical Studies can be found in the Admissions Statement.

Related courses

• BA English and Classical Studies

Related Subjects

• Ancient History
• Classics
• English
• History of Art