StudyQA — Bachelor: Classics — University of Oxford (Page 4)

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The Classics program at the University of Oxford offers an exceptional opportunity for students to explore the rich cultural, literary, historical, and philosophical heritage of ancient Greece and Rome. Through a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum, students develop a deep understanding of classical languages, including Latin and Greek, acquiring both linguistic proficiency and literary analysis skills. The program encompasses the study of classical literature, philosophy, history, archaeology, and art, providing a multidisciplinary approach that immerses students in the grandeur and complexity of antiquity.

Students have the chance to examine foundational texts such as Homer’s epics, Plato’s philosophical dialogues, and Virgil’s Aeneid in their original languages, fostering close reading and critical interpretation skills. The curriculum also offers modules on classical civilization, covering topics like politics, society, religion, and everyday life in ancient Greece and Rome, helping students contextualize the literary works and historical developments within their cultural setting. Additionally, students engage with archaeological and material culture studies, gaining insight into the physical remnants of antiquity that illuminate historical narratives.

The program is designed to develop both analytical and research skills, preparing graduates for careers in academia, education, publishing, archaeology, museums, and cultural heritage sectors. Students benefit from the university's world-renowned faculty, access to extensive library resources, and opportunities for immersive study and research. The program encourages critical thinking, close textual analysis, and an appreciation of the enduring influence of classical antiquity on contemporary culture and thought. With a strong emphasis on language mastery and cultural comprehension, the Classics degree at Oxford provides a solid foundation for understanding the roots of Western civilization and fostering a lifelong engagement with the classical world.

Your time is divided between lectures, tutorials and private study. Most of your work will be in preparation of essays for your tutorials, although systematic language-learning and reading of texts also require considerable time and effort.

Course names	Terms 1–5 Courses	Terms 1–5 Assessments
Course IA (Latin and Greek, for those who have studied Latin and Greek to A-level or equivalent) Course IB (Latin and Greek, for those who have studied only Latin to A-level or equivalent) Course IC (Latin and Greek, for those who have studied only Greek to A-level or equivalent)	Homer’s Iliad Virgil’s Aeneid Texts and contexts: integrating literary/ archaeological material A special subject in Philosophy (ancient or modern) A classical special subject: historical, archaeological or philological Work on the Greek and Latin languages	First University examinations IA: Ten papers, including four language papers (Latin and Greek) First University examinations IB: Ten papers, including four language papers (Greek language work at a less advanced level than IA, Latin at the same level as IA) First University examinations IC: Ten papers, including four language papers (Latin language work at a less advanced level than IA, Greek at the same level as IA)
Course IIA (Latin only, for those who have not studied Greek or Latin to A-level or equivalent)	Virgil’s Aeneid Special subjects and Texts and contexts (as Course I) Work on the Latin language	First University examinations IIA: Seven papers, including two language papers
Course IIB (Greek only, for those who have not studied Latin or Greek to A-level or equivalent)	Homer’s Iliad Special subjects and Texts and contexts (as Course I) Work on the Greek language	First University examinations IIB: Seven papers, including two language papers

Course names	Terms 6–12 Courses	Terms 6–12 Assessments
Course IA (Latin and Greek, for those who have studied Latin and Greek to A-level or equivalent) Course IB (Latin and Greek, for those who have studied only Latin to A-level or equivalent) Course IC (Latin and Greek, for those who have studied only Greek to A-level or equivalent)	Choose eight options from more than 80 in the following subjects (no area is compulsory; in most of these subjects it is possible to offer an undergraduate thesis in place of one of the papers): Greek and Roman history (choose up to five): some are period papers, others topic-based Philosophy (choose up to five): numerous ancient and modern options; up to four can be in modern Philosophy Greek and Latin literature (choose up to five) Greek and Roman archaeology (choose up to two, plus a thesis if you wish) Philology and Linguistics (choose up to two, plus a thesis if you wish) Second classical language: Course II students can take up the second classical language if they wish (will count as two papers in the final exam)	Eight exam subjects taken, with the possibility of offering one paper as a thesis. For some Literature options: instead of a three-hour paper, assessment involves the composition of one long essay over a three-week period The options listed here are illustrative and may change. A full list of current options is available on the Classics website.
Course IIA (Latin only, for those who have not studied Greek or Latin to A-level or equivalent)		Final University examinations: As Course I, but Latin only, unless you take optional second classical language
Course IIB (Greek only, for those who have not studied Latin or Greek to A-level or equivalent)		Final University examinations: As Course I, but Greek only, unless you take optional second classical language

Attestat o Srednam Obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary Education) would not be sufficient for candidates to make a competitive application. If your qualification is listed as being insufficient to make a competitive application to Oxford, then you will need to undertake further study if you wish to apply.You could take British A-levels (the British Council may know where you can take A-levels in your country), the International Baccalaureate (IB), or any other qualifications listed as acceptable on this page. The first year of a bachelor's degree from another university could also be an acceptable alternative.
IELTS: overall score of 7.0 (with at least 7.0 in each of the four components)
TOEFL (paper-based): overall score of 600 with a Test of Written English score of 5.5
TOEFL (internet-based): overall score of 110 with component scores of at least: Listening 22, Reading 24, Speaking 25, and Writing 24.
Cambridge English: Advanced, also known as the Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): grade A if taken before January 2015, or a score of at least 185.
Cambridge English: Proficiency, also known as the Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): grade B if taken before January 2015, or a score of at least 185.
English Language GCSE, or O-level: grade B (for IGCSE, please see below)
International Baccalaureate Standard Level (SL): score of 5 in English (as Language A or B)
European Baccalaureate: score of 70% in English.

Hill Foundation Scholarship

Russian nationals wishing to study for a second undergraduate degree.

Palgrave Brown Scholarship

Students must be ordinarily resident in and/or educated in the following countries:

Albania; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Belarus; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bulgaria; Croatia; Czech Republic; Estonia; Georgia; Hungary; Kazakhstan; Kyrgyz Rep.; Latvia; Lithuania; Macedonia; Moldova; Montenegro; Poland; Romania; Russia; Serbia; Slovakia; Slovenia; Tajikistan; Turkmenistan; Ukraine; Uzbekistan.

The BA in Classics at the University of Oxford is a comprehensive and rigorous program designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the ancient Greek and Latin languages, literature, history, and culture. The course is structured to develop linguistic proficiency alongside critical analysis and historical interpretation, fostering a well-rounded appreciation of the classical world. Students begin their studies by acquiring a solid foundation in ancient languages, allowing them to read original texts with confidence. As they progress, they explore a wide range of topics, including classical philosophy, archaeology, art, politics, and society. The program emphasizes both the primary sources of the ancient civilizations and their influence on later Western culture.

Oxford’s classics curriculum combines language training with the study of classical texts, archaeological remains, and modern scholarship. The program encourages independent research, critical thinking, and debate through tutorials, seminars, and lectures led by renowned scholars in the field. Undergraduate students have access to extensive resources, including the Bodleian Libraries, archaeological collections, and excavations. The course is flexible, offering opportunities for specializations in areas such as ancient history, Greek, Latin, or classical archaeology.

Students are assessed through written examinations, essays, and oral presentations, with continual feedback from tutors to enhance learning. The Classics degree at Oxford typically takes three or four years to complete, depending on the chosen study pathway, and aims to prepare graduates for a variety of careers, including academia, teaching, archaeology, museum work, publishing, and roles in cultural heritage organizations.

Overall, the Classics program at Oxford offers an immersive and challenging academic experience, cultivating language skills, historical knowledge, and analytical capabilities, all set within the university's rich tradition of classical studies. The program's prestige, academic rigor, and access to a world-class academic community make it one of the most esteemed classics degrees available internationally.

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