Classics
Subject History

The Classics section of the school is a strong and thriving unit of 12 permanent, full-time academic staff and has been notably strengthened in recent years by new appointments which enable us to continue Edinburgh’s long and proud tradition of offering the widest range of subjects and approaches in Classics of any University in Scotland. Staff are actively engaged in research projects and are at the cutting edge of their fields.

We offer a full range of degree programmes, in four main areas: Greek Language and Literature; Latin Language and Literature; Ancient History; and Classical Art and Archaeology. These can be combined and configured in many different ways, so that students can, if they wish, concentrate on one of them as the focus of their degree, or include elements of two or more as part of a more general Classical degree curriculum. All of these elements may also be included in a wide range of combined Honours degrees. Greek and Latin language and texts are taught at all levels, and are available both for those who have studied the languages to Higher or A-Level or equivalent and for those who have no previous experience of them. On the other hand, it is possible to study Classical Literature, Ancient History, and/or Classical Art and Archaeology without taking a language at all.

A thriving Classics society

The recent past has been a time of great change at Edinburgh, both for Classics and for the University, and we believe that we are now very well placed to build on existing strengths (the

The Playfair Library at The University of Edinburgh, Old College.

former Department of Classics was commended in QAA Subject Review in 2000-1, and achieved a 4 in the most recent RAE) and make this one of the outstanding centres of Classical learning in the UK. Accordingly, our degree programmes and their constituent modules are under constant review, as we accommodate the latest approaches and scholarship and revise our courses to reflect the expertise of new staff. The following pages thus give information on current offerings; while details may change, these should give you an idea of the breadth and flexibility of our provision.

We are sure that you will find Classics at Edinburgh stimulating and enjoyable. We cover the ancient world from the Bronze Age to Late Antiquity and beyond, and offer the opportunity to work with a very wide range of evidence and approaches, from papyrus fragments of ancient writers to the portrayal of the ancient world in Hollywood movies. The staff are friendly and approachable, and there is a large and lively undergraduate community, including a thriving Classics society. We look forward to welcoming you as undergraduates.