CLASSICS

Classics tries to understand the writings, thoughts and culture of Greece and Rome, which have been so influential in the creation of the modern world. It’s a broad and exciting subject that looks at many different areas, including literature, history, archaeology, art history, philosophy, and linguistics.

You don’t need to have studied Latin or Greek to take Classics at Cambridge because the Faculty has several different degree programs depending on your experience. Some students have done lots of languages, others have none. What matters is that you are fascinated by the incredibly rich worlds of antiquity.

You’ll start by focusing on the languages and the core literature, but as you progress you’ll be really encouraged to pursue what interests you the most. By the final year you’ll be free to choose subjects ranging from the Late Roman empire and ancient Idols to the Aeneid and the art of collecting.

Full course details are provided on the Faculty’s Prospective Undergraduates webpage and the University’s Undergraduate Study webpage.

Admissions

To find out about admissions, go to undergraduate applications.

 

Entry Requirements

Course-specific information, including the University’s typical offers and the attainment level of the University’s typical entrants, is available by selecting your course from the University’s Course List then looking at the Entry Requirements tab. Academic offer conditions can vary by College so if you want to apply to Churchill then check out our entries in the by-College list of entry requirements that’s available on the same tab. The University’s Entrance Requirements and International Entry Requirements webpages may contain guidance relevant to you too.

You can learn more about the academic profiles of Churchill entrants and our approach to setting conditional offers on our undergraduate applications page.

Submitted Work

If you apply to Churchill, we’ll ask you to submit two examples of teacher-marked written work. These should be taken from your present or most recent studies, and should not be re-written or corrected for your Cambridge application. Ideally, each piece should be 1500 to 2000 words in length and ideally on classical subjects, though related areas – like History or Literature, for example – are entirely acceptable. If you have any questions about submitted work, you’re welcome to email our Director of Studies, Dr Jerry Toner.

 

Admissions Assessment

All Classics applicants are required to take a written assessment after shortlisting for interview. There’s more information on and linked from the University’s Admissions Assessments webpage.

 

Interview

You can learn more about the academic profiles of Churchill entrants and our approach to setting conditional offers on our undergraduate applications page. You don’t need to do any special preparation before meeting us. If you’ve studied Latin or Greek, you might be asked to translate a short passage, suitable for your level. You’re likely to be asked some questions about your schoolwork, the work you’ve submitted, and your personal statement.

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