Career Opportunities

Classics, to put it simply, is the study of the cultural and political achievements of the ancient Greeks and Romans. For most students at this University, Classics means Ancient Civilisations, a course in which students study the history, literature, visual arts, philosophy and mythology of the ancient Mediterranean world. All works are studied in English translation and there are no language requirements until honours level. We also offer a major in Latin as well as courses in Ancient Greek.
Classics is a traditional subject. Why do we still do it today? One major reason is that the Greeks and Romans began conversations in which we are still engaged today. In their literature and philosophy the ancient Greeks were the first to ask such questions as: ‘What are the rights of the individual against the state?’, ‘Why should we be moral?’, ‘What is knowledge and how can we be sure that we have it?’. The ancient Greeks invented the concept of democracy, while the ancient Romans invented the idea of the republic.

But Classics is also a modern subject. Classics as we do it now is very different from what was done a century ago. We place less emphasis on linguistic knowledge and the reconstruction of ancient texts and more on such issues as gender and political ideology. We are concerned to ask questions about the relationship between political power and artistic achievement, how the Greeks and Romans represented the natures of men and women, the character of their family structures, the roles of parents, children and slaves.
Studying Classics is not just about encountering two great and fascinating civilisations. It is also about learning how to locate information, to analyse and to interpret sources, to engage in systematic exposition and reasoned argument. It provides valuable experience and training in making judgements on the basis of incomplete information, in understanding human life in all its complexity, in critical thought and in jargon-free communication.

In today’s fast-moving world, the value of a well-stocked and well-trained mind is all too evident. Arts graduates with Classics majors, and (if applicable) appropriate post graduate diplomas, find work in journalism, the electronic media, teaching, libraries, politics, law, the public service, and business.