University of Cambridge · Undergraduate
BA (Hons) Classics (4 years) Bachelor's degree at the University of Cambridge
BA (Hons) Classics (4 years) at University of Cambridge. Classics at Cambridge is built around the two ancient languages themselves: you will learn Latin and Greek from the ground up if needed, or refine existing knowledge, before ranging across the history and culture of Ancient Greece and Rome.
BA (Hons)
Award
4
Years
Full-time
Study mode
85%
in work/study (15m)
About this course
Explore the history and culture of Ancient Greece and Rome. Learn Latin and Greek, and pick from options including art, philosophy and linguistics. From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Classics (4 years) is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at the University of Cambridge. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For Classics graduates from this provider, 85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 75% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £30,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for History, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
8.8
/ 10
Excellent
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Strong79
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Excellent85
Limited evidence Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 85% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Exceptional99
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 99% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Preliminary Year 3 modules
- LatinCore
Module details
Dedicated language classes to bring Latin language up to speed, reading original texts as quickly as possible
- Classical GreekCore
Module details
Introduction to the basics of Ancient Greek
- Classical topicsOptional
Module details
Options from a whole range of Classical topics
Year 1 (Part IA) 3 modules
- Greek and Latin texts from central authorsCore
Module details
Study texts in the original Greek and Latin from the most familiar periods of ancient literature by central authors such as Homer, Euripides, Plato, Virgil, Ovid, Cicero
Assessment: End of year exams will test linguistic and literary comprehension and essay writing skills. 2 essays on non-literary topics submitted for assessment.
- Ancient history, archaeology, art, philosophy, philology, linguisticsCore
Module details
Study elements of ancient history, archaeology, art, philosophy, philology, linguistics
- Modern usages of the classical traditionCore
Module details
Study modern usages of the classical tradition, to build the broadest possible understanding of the ancient world and our relationship to it
Year 2 (Part IB) 9 modules
- Greek translationCompulsory
Module details
Assessment: End of year exams
- Latin translationCompulsory
Module details
Assessment: End of year exams
- Greek LiteratureOptional
- Latin LiteratureOptional
- Greek PhilosophyOptional
- Greek and Roman HistoryOptional
- Classical Art and ArchaeologyOptional
- Classical and Historical LinguisticsOptional
- Prose or verse compositionOptional
Module details
Further optional papers on prose or verse composition in both languages
Year 3 (Part II) 7 modules
- Greek poetry of the Roman EmpireOptional
Module details
Example option in literature
Assessment: End of year exams
- Plato's Republic; Ancient ScepticismOptional
Module details
Example option in philosophy
Assessment: End of year exams
- Popular Culture in the Greco-Roman WorldOptional
Module details
Example option in history
Assessment: End of year exams
- Rome, City of ArtOptional
Module details
Example option in art and archaeology
Assessment: End of year exams
- Greek in the Bronze AgeOptional
Module details
Example option in historical linguistics
Assessment: End of year exams
- Greece, Rome and the EnvironmentOptional
Module details
Multidisciplinary paper
Assessment: End of year exams
- DissertationOptional
Module details
Can substitute one paper with a dissertation on a subject of your choice within the field of Classics
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
The course moves through several stages rather than repeating the same format each year. Early study concentrates on core theory, the grammar, vocabulary and reading skills needed for Latin and Greek, alongside foundational knowledge of ancient history, literature and thought. This is paired with research and methods work, where you learn how classicists actually approach ancient sources: textual criticism, historiography, and the handling of fragmentary or contested evidence. As the languages become more secure, the course shifts towards applied practice, translating and analysing primary texts directly rather than relying solely on translations. You then choose specialist options, such as art, philosophy or linguistics, which let you follow a strand of the ancient world in more depth. Most students also complete an independent project, a piece of sustained research on a topic of their own choosing, supervised individually. Running alongside all of this is attention to professional skills, writing, argument, and the kind of close analytical reading that transfers well beyond Classics itself.
Who it's for
This course suits people who are curious about language for its own sake and don't mind the slow, methodical work of learning Latin and Greek properly, it's not a quick route into "the ancient world" but a gradual one. If you enjoy puzzling over a difficult sentence until it clicks, or find yourself asking why a historian chose one word over another, you'll likely feel at home here. It also suits readers who like following an idea sideways: someone drawn to philosophy might end up spending a term on ancient logic, while someone interested in art might follow sculpture or architecture through several centuries. Because a good portion of the degree is independent reading and translation, it works best for students who are comfortable studying alone for stretches of time, checking their own understanding against the text rather than waiting to be told the answer. Expect small-group teaching, detailed feedback on translation and essays, and a slow build in confidence rather than instant fluency. By the final year, many students are choosing their own research questions and pursuing them with a good deal of independence, so an ability to set your own direction, once the groundwork is laid, matters as much as strong grades at the start.
Careers & job market
Nationally, History graduates (the broader field this course sits within for labour-market data) report a range of outcomes fifteen months after graduating: around 85% are in work or further study, and about 55% of those in work are in highly skilled roles. These are national Graduate Outcomes figures, not specific to Cambridge or to Classics itself, and they shouldn't be read as a guarantee of any particular result. Around 90% of students nationally continue past their first year of study, an indicator of how manageable people generally find these courses once they're underway. On earnings, again as a national picture rather than a Cambridge-specific one: graduates report starting salaries (measured 15 months after graduation) of roughly £23,500 to £31,000, dropping slightly to around £20,400–£28,800 after three years, before rising to about £25,500–£36,000 after five years. The language skills, close-reading ability and independent research experience built up over a Classics degree are transferable well beyond academic or heritage careers, into fields such as law, publishing, teaching and the civil service, though the course itself does not lead directly into a single profession.
University & format
The course is delivered full-time over four years at the University of Cambridge, a public, research-intensive institution founded in 1209 and a member of the Russell Group. It holds a Gold rating in the Office for Students' Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023) and was. Teaching is in English, and degrees awarded are nationally recognised UK qualifications. Among students accepted onto Cambridge courses in recent years, 95% held A-levels or equivalent, with the most common UCAS tariff among entrants being more than 240 points, this reflects typical entrant profiles rather than a fixed requirement.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Application timelineWhat happens next
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryEarly equal-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Entry & how to get in
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent95% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: More than 240 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check the University of Cambridge's official course page for the current offer.
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 95% |
| a Baccalaureate | 4% |
| another higher-education qualification | 1% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Competitive entry
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Your UCAS points0
▾
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Add your grades to see where you land
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
Apply by15 October 2026, 18:00 UK timeearlier deadline for this course
Typical gradesA*A*A*+A-level equivalent admitted students held
UCAS codeQ800quote this on your application
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code Q800). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 15 October 2026, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Sit any admissions test & interview
Courses with the October deadline often need an admissions test (e.g. UCAT, BMAT or a subject test) and interviews, register early and prepare.
- 5Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 6Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask University of Cambridge whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Homeup to £9,790 / yr
Internationalset by the university
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at University of Cambridge →For students who normally live in England
illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, illustrative full-time England fee-cap scenario
illustrative borrowing over 4 years
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Funding matched to this course
All University of Cambridge funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
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Careers & earnings
What History graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £30,000 | £25,000 – £35,000 | 20 |
| 3 years after | £30,500 | £25,500 – £43,000 | 85 |
| 5 years after | £46,500 | £32,500 – £68,000 | 90 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
85%
in work or further study 15 months on
75%
in highly skilled work or study
99%
continue past their first year
75%
find their work meaningful
75%
say work fits their future plans
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in history · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs History nationally
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£30,000
£23,500 – £31,000After 3 years LEO
£30,500
£20,400 – £28,800After 5 years LEO
£46,500
£25,500 – £36,000national rangethis course’s medianaxis £18,500 – £48,500
National figures for History graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
85 of 100
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
50% working15% working and studying25% in further study75% in highly skilled work or study
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with History courses at the same study level.
This course £46,500Peer median £30,000Middle 50% £27,000–£34,500
99th percentile
Compared with 1,423 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Administrative occupationsSOC 2020 41 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,006
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
- Teaching ProfessionalsSOC 2020 231 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £42,660
- Managers, directors and senior officialsSOC 2020 1 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £51,733
- Finance ProfessionalsSOC 2020 242 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £47,173
- Business, Research and Administrative ProfessionalsSOC 2020 243 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £48,746
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 95; response rate: 50%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How History graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
85%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across History courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes55%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled90%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where History graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Museums & archives
- Heritage bodies
- Schools
- Civil service & media
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit History graduates.
History & Humanities Lead, Flexible, Impactful TeachingChartereastdulwichHistory & Humanities Lead, Flexible, Impactful TeachingThe Charter Schools Educational TrustHistory Teachers in Kirklees and HalifaxCV-LibraryHistory TeachersSABIS NETWORK SCHOOLSLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
💷
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
📈
Where graduates go
85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £30,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
🎯
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
⭐
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.8 out of 10: NSS 79.3% · in work or study 85% · continued 99%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Cambridge
All students22,565
International32.2%
Aged 25+25.1%
Historical, philosophical and religious studies across the UK
Students76,495
Aged 25+26.6%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around University of Cambridge
1,779 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Violent Crime 453Shoplifting 372Anti Social Behaviour 253Bicycle Theft 147Other Theft 114
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is History right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to University of Cambridge from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by University of Cambridge; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check University of Cambridge’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with University of Cambridge and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Cambridge
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
Entry is competitive. Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was More than 240 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
What are the entry requirements?
Set by the University of Cambridge. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates go on to do?
For Classics graduates from this provider, 85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 75% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £30,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
What will it cost me?
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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