Classics and English

A typical week

A typical week is structured around two tutorials in different subjects, with the rest of your time divided between lectures, classes (including languages classes) and private study. Most of your work will be preparation of essays for tutorials (you will be expected to produce between eight and twelve pieces of written work during a term), however, language-learning and reading will also require considerable time. Much of your teaching will take place in your college, but you will attend three to four lectures a week in either faculty.

Tutorials are usually up to three students and a tutor. Class sizes may vary depending on the options you choose. There would usually be no more than around 15 students. Most tutorials, classes, and lectures are delivered by academics who are specialists in their subject. Many are world-leading experts with years of experience in teaching and research. Some teaching may also be delivered by qualified postgraduate students studying at doctoral level.

This table is a summary of Course I. In Course II students have a preliminary year studying Latin or Greek, and then follow the structure outlined below. To find out more about how our teaching year is structured, visit our Academic Year page.

Academic YearYEAR 1

COURSES

Five papers are taken:

• Introduction to English language and literature
• Literature in English 1550–1660
• Unseen translation for Classics
• Greek and/or Latin literature (two papers)

Note: Course II students spend an additional preliminary year learning Latin or Greek, alongside some study of classical literature.

ASSESSMENT

Four written papers form the first University examination, together with a submitted portfolio of two essays for Introduction to English language and literature. All exams must be passed, but marks do not count towards the final degree.

YEARS 2 AND 3

COURSES

Seven papers are taken:

• Two link papers, one compulsory (Epic), and a choice from Comedy, Tragedy, Reception
• Two papers from the English single honours course, including one period paper not taken in the first year
• One core paper in Latin or in Greek literature
• One Classics option
• Dissertation of 8,000 words, either interdisciplinary or focused on English or Classics

A full list of current options is available on the Classics course website and on the English department website.

ASSESSMENT

Up to three papers examined as coursework (extended essays and dissertation). The remaining papers will then be examined by final written examinations.

YEAR 1

COURSES

Five papers are taken:

• Introduction to English language and literature
• Literature in English 1550–1660
• Unseen translation for Classics
• Greek and/or Latin literature (two papers)

Note: Course II students spend an additional preliminary year learning Latin or Greek, alongside some study of classical literature.

ASSESSMENT

Four written papers form the first University examination, together with a submitted portfolio of two essays for Introduction to English language and literature. All exams must be passed, but marks do not count towards the final degree.

YEARS 2 AND 3

COURSES

Seven papers are taken:

• Two link papers, one compulsory (Epic), and a choice from Comedy, Tragedy, Reception
• Two papers from the English single honours course, including one period paper not taken in the first year
• One core paper in Latin or in Greek literature
• One Classics option
• Dissertation of 8,000 words, either interdisciplinary or focused on English or Classics

A full list of current options is available on the Classics course website and on the English department website.

ASSESSMENT

Up to three papers examined as coursework (extended essays and dissertation). The remaining papers will then be examined by final written examinations.

YEAR 1YEAR 1YEAR 1

COURSES

Five papers are taken:

• Introduction to English language and literature
• Literature in English 1550–1660
• Unseen translation for Classics
• Greek and/or Latin literature (two papers)

Note: Course II students spend an additional preliminary year learning Latin or Greek, alongside some study of classical literature.

ASSESSMENT

Four written papers form the first University examination, together with a submitted portfolio of two essays for Introduction to English language and literature. All exams must be passed, but marks do not count towards the final degree.

COURSES

Five papers are taken:

• Introduction to English language and literature
• Literature in English 1550–1660
• Unseen translation for Classics
• Greek and/or Latin literature (two papers)

Note: Course II students spend an additional preliminary year learning Latin or Greek, alongside some study of classical literature.

COURSES

COURSES

Five papers are taken:

• Introduction to English language and literature
• Literature in English 1550–1660
• Unseen translation for Classics
• Greek and/or Latin literature (two papers)

Introduction to English language and literature

Literature in English 1550–1660

Unseen translation for Classics

Greek and/or Latin literature (two papers)

Note: Course II students spend an additional preliminary year learning Latin or Greek, alongside some study of classical literature.

ASSESSMENT

Four written papers form the first University examination, together with a submitted portfolio of two essays for Introduction to English language and literature. All exams must be passed, but marks do not count towards the final degree.

ASSESSMENT

ASSESSMENT

Four written papers form the first University examination, together with a submitted portfolio of two essays for Introduction to English language and literature. All exams must be passed, but marks do not count towards the final degree.

YEARS 2 AND 3YEARS 2 AND 3YEARS 2 AND 3

COURSES

Seven papers are taken:

• Two link papers, one compulsory (Epic), and a choice from Comedy, Tragedy, Reception
• Two papers from the English single honours course, including one period paper not taken in the first year
• One core paper in Latin or in Greek literature
• One Classics option
• Dissertation of 8,000 words, either interdisciplinary or focused on English or Classics

A full list of current options is available on the Classics course website and on the English department website.

ASSESSMENT

Up to three papers examined as coursework (extended essays and dissertation). The remaining papers will then be examined by final written examinations.

COURSES

Seven papers are taken:

• Two link papers, one compulsory (Epic), and a choice from Comedy, Tragedy, Reception
• Two papers from the English single honours course, including one period paper not taken in the first year
• One core paper in Latin or in Greek literature
• One Classics option
• Dissertation of 8,000 words, either interdisciplinary or focused on English or Classics

A full list of current options is available on the Classics course website and on the English department website.

COURSES

COURSES

• Two link papers, one compulsory (Epic), and a choice from Comedy, Tragedy, Reception
• Two papers from the English single honours course, including one period paper not taken in the first year
• One core paper in Latin or in Greek literature
• One Classics option
• Dissertation of 8,000 words, either interdisciplinary or focused on English or Classics

Two link papers, one compulsory (Epic), and a choice from Comedy, Tragedy, Reception

Two papers from the English single honours course, including one period paper not taken in the first year

One core paper in Latin or in Greek literature

One Classics option

Dissertation of 8,000 words, either interdisciplinary or focused on English or Classics

A full list of current options is available on the Classics course website and on the English department website.Classics course websiteEnglish department website

ASSESSMENT

Up to three papers examined as coursework (extended essays and dissertation). The remaining papers will then be examined by final written examinations.

ASSESSMENT

ASSESSMENT

Up to three papers examined as coursework (extended essays and dissertation). The remaining papers will then be examined by final written examinations.

The content and format of this course may change in some circumstances. Read further information about potential course changes.

The content and format of this course may change in some circumstances. Read further information about potential course changes.

The content and format of this course may change in some circumstances. Read further information about potential course changes.

The content and format of this course may change in some circumstances. Read further information about potential course changes.

potential course changes

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