BA Classical Studies with Foundation Year allows you to explore and critically analyse Classical culture, history, archaeology, philosophy and literature. Choosing from a wide range of options, you can study the culture and history of Greek and Roman societies across the Mediterranean and Near East, from the Archaic period to the Roman imperial period and Late Antiquity, and the reception of Classical culture in later periods of history.

You will be encouraged to engage in wider debate on how we interpret the Classical world and why this matters - debate that is at the forefront of current research in all disciplines of Classical antiquity. In doing so, you will confront both the admirable and the disturbing facets of Greek and Roman cultures, as we delve into democracy, slavery, sexuality and empire.

Our BA Classical Studies with Foundation Year is a structured programme of taught modules, designed to develop your critical skills and help you gain a deep knowledge of Classical history and culture. You will examine the nature of our knowledge about the past and the way in which histories and texts are written. You will assess ancient source material (textual and archaeological) and question accepted histories and traditions about the past, so that you develop the ability to construct and present a convincing argument.

At Birkbeck we are firm believers that the study of the Classical world should be accessible to all. We attract a wide range of motivated and intellectually curious students of many different ages and backgrounds who enjoy learning and discussion in evening lectures and seminars. Many of our students have no prior knowledge of either Greek or Latin. As part of this Classical Studies degree you will take at least one language option at a suitable level, often beginner level, and you will have the opportunity to develop your language skills over the duration of your degree.

Upon successful completion of the Foundation Year, you can automatically progress on to our three-year, full-time, evening study BA Classical Studies.

• Our Foundation Year programmes will fully prepare you for undergraduate study and are ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.
• We are an international centre of excellence. Since 2001 we have consistently been in the top ten departments evaluated by the Research Excellence Framework (REF).
• Situated in historic Bloomsbury, we are at the heart of academic London with access to unparalleled research resources. Situated very close by are: the Institute of Historical Research and the Institute of Classical Studies, with their specialist libraries, training facilities and seminars; the British Museum and other world-class galleries and museums; and the British Library, the largest national library in the world.
• The Department of History, Classics and Archaeology is home to thriving student societies and a number of affiliated research centres that actively run seminars, conferences and other events where some of the world's best scholars present their latest research.
• Get a flavour of the Department through the wide range of free online and in-person seminars, workshops and tasters; check out our Discover the Past and Taster programmes as well as events at the Raphael Samuel History Centre, a leading centre for public history which the Department co-directs.

For the Foundation Year, you take four core modules at Level 3, each worth 30 credits, to a total of 120 credits.

If you successfully complete the year, you will automatically advance on to the three-year, full-time, evening study BA Classical Studies.

Graduates can pursue careers in museums and galleries, research and archiving, or education. This degree may also be useful in becoming an archivist, editorial assistant, higher education lecturer or museum/gallery curator.

We offer a comprehensive Careers Service to help you advance your career, while our in-house, professional recruitment consultancy, Birkbeck Talent, works with London’s top employers to help you gain work experience that fits in with your evening studies.