Hi – we all study Classics, Ancient History
and Archaeology at the University of Birmingham,
and we’d like to tell you five reasons why
it’s such a great choice.
Reason One – It’s fascinating!
To understand the present, you need to discover
the past. Our programmes study the full diversity
and richness of human cultural life around
the world and across the whole time span of
human existence. You can study Greece and
Rome, but also Egypt, Western Asia and prehistoric
Europe. An appreciation of past events and
why people acted as they did are essential
tools for understanding the motivations of
others, and of ourselves.
Reason Two – Our teaching style
At Birmingham, we have big, set-piece lectures,
but we also have small-group teaching. This
gives me an opportunity to develop communication
skills and to learn from them and my peers.
Much of my teaching is in groups of around
12. Some modules also include one-to-one tuition
for essay work, particularly for the final
year dissertation.
There is also the option to learn ancient
languages, such as Latin, Greek and Egyptian
on some of our programmes.
I study the Classical Literature and Civilisation
programme and I am looking forward to the
opportunity of undertaking a unique two week
Study Tour in my second year to countries
such as Italy and Greece with fellow students.
We will plan our travel, develop a research
project and visit sites, monuments and museums
of interest to us. The Study Tour is one of
the highlights of my degree, allowing me to
gain valuable research and personal skills
as well as being loads of fun!
Reason Four – Specialise in the subject
you love
I’m studying Joint Honours English and Classical
Literature and Civilisation, but there are
several degree programmes to choose from in
the Department. These programmes allow you
to explore a wide range of ancient civilisations
over several millennia, the classical world
in all its diversity, practical archaeological
fieldwork and ethnography. As you progress
through your degree, you have the opportunity
to tailor your programme to focus on the areas
that interest you the most.
Reason Five – It’s great for employability
Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology
students graduate with well-rounded skills
in research, analysis, organisation, self-management
and reasoning. They are capable of working
independently and as part of a team. They
can present arguments effectively. Graduates
have gone onto careers in a wide range of
professions, such as law, business, education,
and the media, with employers including central
and local government, museums, cultural and
heritage organisations, charities and commercial
companies, to name just a few. After I’ve
graduated from my undergraduate programme,
I intend to continue my studies with a Postgraduate
degree here in Birmingham. I’m really excited
about building on my undergraduate knowledge,
experiencing further study in a Classics,
Ancient History and Archaeology-related discipline
and seeing this qualification on my CV.
To find out more about the topics we’ve
talked about, you can visit our website.
