Classics

Course details

Number of students per year
4
Minimum offer level
A*AA at A-level; 41-42 points with 776 at Higher Level for the IB.
Essential subjects
Three year course: A-Level Latin.
Four year course: no subject requirements.
Useful subjects
Classical Civilisation, English (Language or Literature), History, Language (ancient or modern).

At Homerton

Like the students from all other Colleges, Homerton Classicists attend their lectures and classes in the Classics Faculty which is located on the Sidgwick site. At Homerton you will be taught by the Director of Studies in Classics, Dr Myrto Hatzimichali, who is a Fellow of the College and supervises all Homerton classicists for their language work (either Greek or Latin) and for the optional subject of Ancient Philosophy, which is her area of specialization. Supervisions in the other subjects are undertaken by different specialists in the relevant fields, from many different Colleges.

There are about fifteen Classics undergraduates at Homerton (about four in each year on average), which makes for a lively and vibrant community! There is an undergraduate subject representative who acts as a first port of call for any problems or questions and is also in charge of organising social events, especially at the beginning of the year to welcome new students.

At Cambridge

Classics is the study of ancient Greece and Rome, and at Cambridge we study all the different aspects of these great ancient cultures, namely their literature, philosophy, history, art and material culture, as well as their languages. The course is dynamic, vibrant, highly enjoyable, as well as challenging, as it asks students to think seriously about their own conceptions of democracy, law, beauty and justice, all of which have their roots in the ancient world. This type of intense study greatly enhances the career prospects of Classics graduates, making a degree in Classics from the University of Cambridge highly desirable for employers.

At Cambridge, you will be taught by world-renowned experts in all the fields of classics. Lectures take place centrally in the Faculty building where the Museum of Classical Archaeology is also located, and the Faculty of Classics also runs intensive language courses for those who come without Greek and/or Latin.

You do not need to have learnt the classical languages at school in order to study Classics at Cambridge: the four-year course is designed for those who have done neither Latin nor Greek before (this includes a preliminary year spent focusing intensively on Latin), whereas the three-year course is for those who have done one (usually Latin) or both languages up to A-level or equivalent. After the first year of the four-year course, both courses effectively ‘merge’ into one, and offer students the opportunity to choose from a range of subjects including ancient history, ancient philosophy, art and archaeology, linguistics, and modern responses to classical antiquity. There are many opportunities to travel for study trips or archaeological digs.

More information can be found here.

What We Look For

We are looking for students who have the academic ability and potential to succeed on the course, as well as the necessary interest in and motivation for the subject.

In order to explore Classics in more detail we would recommend the introductory resources and reading for prospective applicants and offer holders listed under 'Resources' here and on this website. You can find the offer holder reading lists here

You can also explore your chosen subject through the Homerton Resources page

How To Apply

Those applying with A-level Latin and/or Greek will be applying for the three-year course (which includes intensive classes for Latin or Greek if not studied to A-level), while those who have not had the opportunity to study the classical languages are encouraged to apply for the special four-year course.

Whatever your background, it is your capacity for academic study that will determine the outcome of your application; you will have an equal chance of success whether you apply to study for three years or four. Homerton already has a strong tradition of supporting the four-year course, and will continue to do so.

Admissions assessment: Admissions assessment details for 2025 entry (and deferred 2026 entry) will be confirmed in Spring 2024.

Written Work: Submit two recently marked essays, from Latin and/or Greek if you are taking either subject at A Level, or from one of the following subjects if not: Classical Civilisation, History or Literature (English Literature or literature pertaining to a modern language A level, e.g. French or German).

Career

After completing their degree, our students have gone on to a number of very different careers, including teaching, law, consulting, working in museums or at auction houses, as well as further study up to PhD level.

 

Director of Studies