BA Hons Classics
University of Cambridge, Cambridge | Cambridgeshire, England | Estd in 1209 | Government University
Cambridgeshire, England
About BA Hons Classics
The BA Hons Classics program offers a comprehensive study of classical antiquity, covering various disciplines such as history, culture, archaeology, art, philosophy, and linguistics. Students have the option to specialize in a specific field or maintain a broader focus throughout the course.
Classical texts serve as crucial evidence for understanding ancient civilizations. In the first year, students will analyze original Greek and Latin texts, written by prominent authors such as Homer, Euripides, Plato, Virgil, Ovid, and Cicero, representing significant periods of ancient literature. Additionally, students will explore various aspects of ancient history, archaeology, art, philosophy, philology, and linguistics. They will also examine how the classical tradition continues to influence modern society.
In the second year, students need to choose two modules which are compulsory:
- Greek translation
- Latin translation
The remaining modules are chosen from a range of subject areas:
- Greek Literature
- Latin Literature
- Greek Philosophy
- Greek and Roman History
- Classical Art and Archaeology
- Classical and Historical Linguistics
In the third year, students can specialise within one discipline (eg archaeology) or construct a wide-ranging course based to their individual strengths and interests. Four modules has to be chosen from a broad range of options, including:
- literature, eg Women and Greek Literature
- philosophy, eg Beauty
- history, eg Slavery in the Greek and Roman Worlds
- art and archaeology, eg Beyond Classical Art
- historical Linguistics, eg Greek in the Bronze Age
- a multidisciplinary paper, eg Gods of Greece and Rome
- papers from another degree course
Towards the conclusion of the academic year, it is customary to undergo examinations in the mentioned subjects. Alternatively, students also have the option to replace one examination with a dissertation pertaining to a topic of their preference within the realm of Classics. Previous dissertations have encompassed a diverse range of subjects:
- cross-dressing in antiquity
- modern receptions of Sappho
- Milton as a Latin poet
- gods in Pindar
- Greek tragedy and politics
- Roman statues and canons of beauty
- Indo-European poetics
- the nature and role of pleasure in human life
- urbanism in Roman Egypt
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Admission and Application
The University of Cambridge offers admissions through the UCAS application and My Cambridge Application. However, students need to follow a particular procedure before applying to Cambridge.
- Applicants need to fill their UCAS applications online where they need to enter all their personal and professional details correctly.
- Students need to upload few documents like personal statement, portfolio, letters of recommendation etc.
- For admissions to certain courses, students might also have to clear an admission test followed by a personal interview.
- After submitting the UCAS application, students also have to fill the My Cambridge Application where they need to attach few digital documents like high school qualifying documents, a passport size photo, topics studied at high school, English language proficiency test scores such as IELTS, TOEFL, a personal statement (if asked) etc.
- For successful submission of application forms, students also have to pay the amount of application fee.
- Selected candidates will be called to proceed with the admission process if they meet all the eligibility requirements.
Eligibility
Applications from students who are completing Class XII school leaving qualifications from any exam board will be considered competitive only if they are accompanied by additional qualifications. Below are the details regarding the expected qualifications and levels that need to be achieved, in addition to a high level of performance in Class XII:
- For all Cambridge courses, offers may be made conditional on achieving grades of 5 in five or more Advanced Placement (AP) Tests offered by the College Board, except for Mathematics (please refer to the note on STEP below).
- For Chemical Engineering, Engineering, and Natural Sciences (Physical), offers may be made conditional on obtaining a rank of less than 2000 in the IIT-JEE (Advanced).
- For Mathematics, offers will be conditional on achievement in the Sixth Term Examination Paper (STEP). STEP may also be required for offers in subjects like Computer Science, Engineering, and Economics, where the attainment of equivalent qualifications to A Level Mathematics and/or Further Mathematics cannot be demonstrated through any other means. It is important to note that all Mathematics offers will have a STEP condition attached, even for applicants taking AP Tests or the IIT-JEE.
Applicants who are currently in the process of completing their twelfth grade education are required to demonstrate a strong academic performance in relevant subjects related to their chosen course of study. The specific grades expected may vary depending on the educational board that the applicant is affiliated with.
- CISCE and NIOS applicants must secure 90% scores or higher in five or more relevant subjects.
- CBSE applicants must secure A1 grades in five or more relevant subjects.
- State board applicants generally require scores of 95% or equivalent in five or more relevant subjects.