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Accessibility statement
An image to illustrate the BA (Honours) Classical Studies
The worlds of ancient Greece and Rome were extraordinarily rich and diverse. This accessible and rewarding course explores the literature, language, history, societies, cultures, art, archaeology, and global reception of the ancient world. It focuses on key sites and periods, including Pompeii, Roman Britain, Classical Athens, Delphi, the Roman Republic, and the Roman Empire. Studying the ancient world will change and nuance the way you think about the modern world, as you develop new perspectives from ancient cultures and societies so different from, and yet in some ways similar to, your own.
This classical studies degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.
Our modular study approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that fits around your life. Whether you prefer a fast track or want to work at a slower rate, you can tailor your study plan to suit your needs.
In Stage 1, you'll encounter a variety of different times and places and engage with some fascinating people, places, artworks, ideas and stories. This broad foundation allows you to gain skills that are common across arts and humanities subjects and to understand how classical studies fit into and interact with the wider world, inside and outside of academic study. It will also help you to develop the confident, open, critical approach you need to tackle more specialist classical studies modules at Stages 2 and 3.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
Discovering the arts and humanities (A111)60Oct | Feb
You'll complete Stage 1 with one from:
Cultures (A112)60Oct | Feb
Revolutions (A113)60Oct | Feb
For this qualification, we recommend Cultures (A112).

You’ll deepen your understanding of the literature, history, art and material culture of the Greek and Roman worlds. You'll have the chance to learn the essentials of Classical Latin while exploring Latin literature from the time of the emperor Augustus.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You’ll choose one from:
Classical Latin: the language of ancient Rome (A276)60Oct
Exploring the classical world (A229)60Oct
You’ll also choose one from the list above or one from:
Art and life before 1800 (A237)60Oct
Art and visual cultures in the modern world (A236)60Oct
Early modern Europe: society and culture c.1500-1780 (A223)60Oct
Exploring religion: places, practices, texts and experiences (A227)60Oct
Investigating philosophy (DA223)60Oct
Literature matters (A240)60Oct
The British Isles and the modern world, 1789–1914 (A225)60Oct | Feb

You’ll study two advanced modules: one about the relevance and role of Greek and Roman myth in various social, cultural and historical contexts; and one about the development, culture and legacy of the imperial Roman world.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study both of the following:
Greek and Roman myth: stories and histories (A350)60Oct
The Roman empire (A340)60Oct

You can complete this degree in as little as three years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s 120 credits per year. To complete in three years, you’ll need to start your degree in October.
Don't worry if your circumstances change. You don’t have to stick to a full-time study pace. You can change the pace of your learning each year depending on what's right for you.

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll study the following:
Discovering the arts and humanities (A111)60Oct | Feb
You’ll also choose one from:
Cultures (A112)60Oct | Feb
Revolutions (A113)60Oct | Feb
For this qualification, we recommend Cultures (A112).
Stage 2 | Year 2
You’ll choose one from:
Classical Latin: the language of ancient Rome (A276)60Oct
Exploring the classical world (A229)60Oct
You'll also choose one from the list above or one from:
Art and life before 1800 (A237)60Oct
Art and visual cultures in the modern world (A236)60Oct
Early modern Europe: society and culture c.1500-1780 (A223)60Oct
Exploring religion: places, practices, texts and experiences (A227)60Oct
Investigating philosophy (DA223)60Oct
Literature matters (A240)60Oct
The British Isles and the modern world, 1789–1914 (A225)60Oct | Feb
Stage 3 | Year 3
You'll complete your degree with the following:
Greek and Roman myth: stories and histories (A350)60Oct
The Roman empire (A340)60Oct

You can complete this degree in six years by studying part-time. That's one 60-credit module each year.

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll start your degree with the following:
Discovering the arts and humanities (A111)60Oct | Feb
Stage 1 | Year 2
You’ll choose one from:
Cultures (A112)60Oct | Feb
Revolutions (A113)60Oct | Feb
For this qualification, we recommend Cultures (A112).
Stage 2 | Year 3
You'll choose one from:
Classical Latin: the language of ancient Rome (A276)60Oct
Exploring the classical world (A229)60Oct
Stage 2 | Year 4
You'll also choose one from the list above or one from:
Art and life before 1800 (A237)60Oct
Art and visual cultures in the modern world (A236)60Oct
Early modern Europe: society and culture c.1500-1780 (A223)60Oct
Exploring religion: places, practices, texts and experiences (A227)60Oct
Investigating philosophy (DA223)60Oct
Literature matters (A240)60Oct
The British Isles and the modern world, 1789–1914 (A225)60Oct | Feb
Stage 3 | Year 5
You'll study the following:
Greek and Roman myth: stories and histories (A350)60Oct
Stage 3 | Year 6
You'll complete your degree with the following:
The Roman empire (A340)60Oct

By studying this degree, you’ll:
You’ll be supported throughout by expert tutors, high-quality materials, and a range of online learning resources.
You’ll be awarded a BA (Honours) Classical Studies upon successful completion.
Your honours classification (first, upper second, lower second or third class honours) will depend on the grades you gain at Stages 2 and 3. 
You'll also have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
You can achieve this degree in as little as three years and have a maximum of 16 years to complete it. Our module-by-module approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that works best for you.
You can complete this degree in three years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s similar to a student at a campus-based university.
You can complete this degree in six years by studying part-time. That’s roughly half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.
At the OU, flexibility and support go hand in hand. You’ll be in control of when and where you study, with clear deadlines to guide your progress. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, our approach helps you fit learning into your life. Students consistently praise the support we provide, and from the very start, you’ll be part of a vibrant OU learning community.
As you progress through your qualification, you’ll have access to a dedicated online study space, expert tutor guidance, optional live tutorials, and a wide range of resources to help you succeed. The sections below outline what you can expect.
Your module website will be a central hub for your learning, giving you easy access to:
Discover how the OU’s module websites, course materials, and support tools help you study online with confidence.
Each module has a dedicated tutor who will guide you through your studies. They’ll provide feedback, help you find resources, mark your assignments and support your learning journey.
For extra support, you can attend optional live tutorials with your tutor. These are usually conducted online, and most are recorded so you can review them later.
See how OU tutors and tutorials help you build confidence, connect with others, and get the support you need to succeed in your studies.
Our assessments reinforce what you’ve learned and show your understanding. Assessment types vary by module and may include:
Our qualifications are as accessible as possible, and we have a comprehensive range of support services to help you succeed. This qualification uses a variety of study materials and includes the following elements:
Every module has its own Accessibility Statement with more detailed accessibility information – you’ll find these in individual module descriptions. Visit our Disability support page to learn more about our services.
Discover how the OU’s Disability Support Team helps students with advice, adjustments and resources.
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services and be part of a vibrant learning community. Our subject-specific Student Support Teams can help with general queries and any updates to your OU account. You’ll also benefit from:
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.
If you’ve studied at university level before, you may be able to transfer the academic credit you've been awarded towards an OU qualification. This could save you time and money by reducing the modules you need to study.
It’s not just university study that can be considered; you can also transfer study from a wide range of professional or vocational qualifications, such as HNCs and HNDs.
You should apply to transfer credit before registering, at least four weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where, and when, and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.
For more details and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

6 years
£4,088*
A degree is worth 360 credits. The fee per year is based on studying one 60-credit module per year for 6 years.
£24,528*
Our qualifications cost less than equivalent-level qualifications offered at campus-based universities.
Compare the cost of studying at the OU with other campus-based universities in England.
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£29,370
£29,370
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£24,528
£24,528
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£4,842
£4,842
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£19,580
£19,580
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£16,352
£16,352
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£3,228
£3,228
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£9,790
£9,790
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£8,176
£8,176
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£1,614
£1,614
Qualification
Qualification
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
£29,370
£29,370
£24,528
£24,528
£4,842
£4,842
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
£19,580
£19,580
£16,352
£16,352
£3,228
£3,228
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
£9,790
£9,790
£8,176
£8,176
£1,614
£1,614
*Based on maximum chargeable fees for the 26/27 academic year.
**The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of the University's Fee Rules.
Your course fees cover your tuition, assessment and study materials, but there are still a few additional costs that can come with studying. For this qualification, you'll need:
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to a fee limit, as set out in the University's Fee Rules.

Over 85% of our students in England fund their studies with a Tuition Fee Loan, meaning they pay nothing upfront.
Repay in monthly instalments while you study.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
Combine your payment options to fund your studies the way you want.
If you’re a serving member of the British Armed Forces (or you’ve recently left), you may be eligible to use ELCs to cover up to 100% of your course fees.
You may be eligible for:
This Classical Studies degree will develop your understanding of human activities in diverse cultural environments and historical contexts. Graduates of courses in Classical Studies are highly valued by employers for their very broad skill sets, developed through working with an unusually wide range of source materials that require intellectual flexibility. Linguistic understanding, critical analysis, high levels of creativity and skills in researching, organising and presenting material are useful in a wide range of careers.
You'll also sharpen your IT, writing, communication, and independent thinking skills, and learn to assimilate and evaluate relevant information when constructing an argument. These are key skills for working with complex information and in a variety of different organisations, and are greatly sought after in the world beyond study – whether you're already working, volunteering, or planning on changing career.
Studying arts and humanities can give entry to a vast range of occupations leading in a number of career directions, including:
Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any discipline, particularly in business, finance, management consultancy and the public sector.
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you'll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice. This includes online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service, as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
In the meantime, if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we've put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree:
Credit transfer: apply by 13/08/2026
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Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
Request a prospectus
Credit transfer: apply by 13/08/2026
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