This section is designed to answer the questions you are likely to have relating to the undergraduate Classics courses at Cambridge. If you have any additional questions about the course, please contact our Access and Outreach Coordinator at access@classics.cam.ac.uk
Information about finance, international applications etc. can be found on the University’s admissions pages. As undergraduate applications are handled by the colleges, you are also advised to consult their individual websites.
- Why should I study Classics?
- What careers do those with a Classics degree go on to?
- What courses do you offer?
- Can I study Classics with another subject?
- Can I study Classics if I have never studied Latin or Greek before?
- I haven't studied either Latin or Greek: how do I know that I'll be good at them?
- Will I be at a disadvantage if I have not studied Ancient Greek?
- What should I do if I've got A level (or equivalent) Greek but not Latin?
- What subjects will prepare me best for a Classics degree?
- Am I disadvantaged if I decide to take a gap year?
- Does Cambridge welcome mature students on its Classics courses?
- What are the entry requirements for your courses?
- What is the standard offer?
- How will I be taught?
- Is there a lot of language work on the course?
- Will I have the opportunity to travel and do fieldwork?
- Which college should I apply to?
- What should I put in my personal statement?
- What happens in the interview process?
- Can I hear testimonials from students about whether they enjoyed the degree?
1. Why should I study Classics?
Classics offers an unparalleled journey into the ancient Greek and Roman worlds—their languages, literature, philosophy, history, art, and archaeology. These fascinating cultures continue to shape our modern world, from our concepts of democracy and citizenship to our understanding of beauty, justice, and ethics.
At Cambridge, Classics is intellectually stimulating and remarkably versatile. You'll develop critical thinking skills, linguistic proficiency, and cultural awareness while engaging with some of history's most influential ideas and artistic achievements. The breadth of our course makes Classics vibrant, challenging, and intellectually rewarding.
2. What careers do those with a Classics degree go on to?
Cambridge Classics graduates excel across diverse professional fields thanks to the transferable skills developed during their studies. These include analytical thinking, persuasive writing, visual analysis, critical evaluation of sources, and language acquisition abilities.
Our graduates pursue successful careers in:
- Education and academia
- Heritage and museums
- Law and politics
- Civil service and diplomacy
- Media and publishing
- Business and finance
- Creative industries
Cambridge consistently ranks at the top for Classics career prospects in university guides, reflecting our graduates' exceptional employability.
We offer two undergraduate Classics courses:
Three-year course: For students with A-Level Latin or equivalent. If you have little or no Classical Greek, we provide intensive language training.
Four-year course: For students with little or no Latin. The first year focuses on Latin language, classical civilization, and an introduction to Ancient Greek. In your second year, you join the three-year course students.
Both courses offer exceptional flexibility, allowing you to tailor your studies across languages, literature, philosophy, history, art, and archaeology.
4. Can I study Classics with another subject?
While the Classics course itself is wonderfully diverse, you can combine either Latin or Greek with a modern language through the Modern and Medieval Languages (MML) Tripos. This pathway allows you to study a modern language alongside either Classical Latin or Classical Greek during your first and second years.
Additionally, in your final year of the Classics course, you can "borrow" papers from other Faculties, such as English, Philosophy, or History.
5. Can I study Classics if I have never studied Latin and Greek before?
Absolutely! Our four-year course is specifically designed for students with little or no previous experience in Latin or Greek. The first year provides intensive language training alongside exploration of classical civilisations, ensuring you develop the necessary skills to join the three-year students in your second year.
Many of our most successful students begin with no classical language background at all.
6. I haven't studied either Latin or Greek: how do I know that I'll be good at them?
If you've enjoyed studying modern languages, you'll likely find classical languages equally rewarding. However, even without language experience, many skills transfer well to classical language study—logical thinking, pattern recognition, and attention to detail are all valuable.
7. Will I be at a disadvantage if I have not studied Ancient Greek?
Not at all. The majority of students on the three-year course begin with little or no Greek. Our course is designed to provide appropriate language support for all levels, with specialized classes for beginners. By your final year, all students develop good proficiency in both Latin and Greek, regardless of their starting point.
8. What should I do if I've got A level (or equivalent) Greek but not Latin?
Students with A-Level Greek but not Latin are typically advised to take the four-year course. However, in some circumstances, you may be able to take the three-year course with appropriate Latin language support. This is determined during the admissions process, so please contact the Director of Studies at your preferred college to discuss your specific situation.
9. What subjects will prepare me best for a Classics degree?
Any subject that develops essay writing, critical thinking, language learning, or historical analysis will provide useful preparation. While Latin, Greek, Classical Civilisation or Ancient History are particularly relevant, they're not essential for the four-year course.
Students come to us with diverse academic backgrounds—from humanities subjects like History and English to sciences and mathematics. What matters most is your enthusiasm for classical studies and your academic potential.
10. Am I disadvantaged if I decide to take a gap year?
No. Many successful Classics students take gap years, which can provide valuable life experience and personal growth. If you've already studied Latin or Greek, we recommend maintaining these languages during your gap year through independent study or revision.
11. Does Cambridge welcome mature students on its Classics courses?
Yes, absolutely. We typically have several mature students (aged 21+ at entry) studying Classics at any given time. Mature applicants can apply to any college that admits undergraduates, though some colleges specialise in supporting mature students.
Candidates who already hold a degree at another university, or who would hold one by the time of entry, can apply for the Affiliated Degree: see here.
For further information about applying as a mature student, see here.
12. What are the entry requirements for your courses?
For the three-year course:
- A-Level Latin (grade A/A*) or equivalent (or Greek, please see Q.8)
- Strong academic record across all subjects
- Genuine enthusiasm for classical studies
For the four-year course:
- No specific subject requirements
- Strong academic record across all subjects
- Genuine enthusiasm for classical studies
13. What is the standard offer?
The typical conditional offer for Classics at Cambridge is:
- A level students - A*AA
- IB - 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level
- Pre U - D2-D3-D3
Offers are made on the basis of individual students, taking into consideration their ability and potential.
For more information about admissions, including applying with an Access to HE Diploma or from abroad, or about the Special Access Scheme, see the University admissions pages
Cambridge offers a distinctive combination of teaching methods:
Lectures: Delivered by world-leading experts to introduce key topics and approaches.
Supervisions: Small-group or one-to-one sessions with academic specialists, providing personalized feedback on your work and ideas. This is a hallmark of Cambridge education.
Classes: Particularly for language learning, these provide structured teaching in smaller groups.
Seminars: Discussion-based sessions exploring specialized topics in depth.
Independent study: You'll develop research skills through guided independent work.
15. Is there a lot of language work on the course?
Language study is central to all of our courses, but to some extent the amount can be tailored to your interests after the initial required elements.
All students study both Latin and Greek, with teaching adapted to your starting level.
In later years, you can choose to specialise more in language and literature or focus more on history, philosophy, art, and archaeology while maintaining core language skills.
16. Will I have the opportunity to travel and do fieldwork?
Yes! The Faculty offers various opportunities for travel and fieldwork:
- Archaeological excavations in the Mediterranean
- Faculty-organized study trips to classical sites
- Museum study sessions in the UK and abroad
- College travel grants for independent research trips
- Opportunities to participate in international summer schools
These experiences enhance your understanding of the classical world and provide valuable practical skills.
17. Which college should I apply to?
All colleges offer Classics, though some have more students and Fellows in the subject than others. Consider factors such as:
- Size and location of the college
- Accommodation options and facilities
- Specific academic strengths in Classics
- Bursaries and scholarships available
- Overall atmosphere and community
We recommend researching college websites and, if possible, visiting during open days. Remember that the course content is the same regardless of college choice.
18. What should I put in my personal statement?
Your personal statement should demonstrate your genuine interest in the classical world and your reasons for wanting to study Classics at university. Consider including:
- Your engagement with classical texts, art, or history beyond school requirements
- Reflections on classical works you've read (in translation is fine)
- Connections you've made between classical and modern ideas or issues
- Relevant extracurricular activities, such as museum visits or archaeological experiences
- Your academic interests within Classics (though we don't expect you to have a narrow specialization)
Be authentic and specific about your intellectual curiosity and engagement with the subject.
19. What happens in the interview process?
If shortlisted, you'll typically have two interviews, each lasting about 30 minutes. These are academic conversations designed to assess your potential for studying Classics at Cambridge.
Interviews may include:
- Discussion of classical texts or topics you've studied
- Analysis of an unseen passage (provided shortly before or during the interview)
- Questions about your personal statement and academic interests
- For the four-year course, a language aptitude assessment
The interview is not about testing existing knowledge but exploring how you think and engage with new ideas.
20. Can I hear testimonials from students about whether they enjoyed the degree?
Yes! We have a range of student testimonials available on our What Students Say page. These provide authentic insights into the Cambridge Classics experience from diverse student perspectives.
You can also meet current students at our open days and events, where they're happy to share their experiences and answer your questions.