Classics

Cambridge

Why?

Studying Classics at Cambridge offers students the chance to explore not only the history, culture, philosophy and linguistics of ancient civilisations, but also the impact of classical antiquity on subsequent Western societies. The Classics faculty at Cambridge has an exceptional reputation and is highly-regarded, with fellows including experts such as Mary Beard. Students have an impressive degree of choice, including whether to study specialised areas of the classical period in great detail, or to study it as a whole in considerable breadth.

Course

The Classics course varies in potential length between three and four years, depending on the extent to which a student has studied Latin before they arrive at Cambridge. Those who have studied Latin A Level will take the three year course, whilst those with little or no Latin are encouraged to undertake a preliminary year focused on Latin language and Roman culture.

The first year of the three year course centres on developing a broad understanding of the ancient world and our perception of it, featuring a study of classical texts, for instance those by Homer and Ovid, in their original Latin or Greek, alongside modules such as ancient art, philosophy and philology. The following year includes six papers, four of which are compulsory (Greek and Latin translation, and Greek and Latin literature), alongside two optional modules, including papers such as art and archaeology, and philosophy. The final year of the course allows students to specialise in one discipline or to take a more wide-ranging approach, based on four different areas of study. Students also have the possibility to swap one paper for a dissertation, which in previous years have covered exciting themes ranging from cross-dressing in antiquity to classical influences on contemporary American poetry.

Applying

The standard offer for Classics is A*AA - with A Level Latin a specified requirement for the three year course, although this varies depending on the college in question as some accept A Level Greek as a substitute. For the four year course, A Level Latin is not required, however Cambridge regards A Levels in Classical Civilisation, English (Language or Literature), History and languages (ancient or modern) as a useful means of preparation.

In addition, applicants are required to undertake an admissions assessment at interview, varying depending on the respective course length. If invited for interview, applicants for the three year course are required to complete a 1 hour translation exercise, whilst those applying for the four year course undertake a 20 minute language aptitude test.

Statistics

2017 - (3 year course) - Applications: 172, Offers: 91, Acceptance Rate: 52.9%.

2017 - (4 year course) - Applications: 50, Offers: 26, Acceptance Rate: 52%.

Cambridge