BA English and Classical Literature & Civilisation

 

This innovative degree is for those fascinated by ancient cultures, as well as the written and spoken word.

Study the full range of literature or language in English, alongside the society and literature of the classical world.  Embrace the diversity of Greek and Roman culture, drawing together literature, drama, myth, religion, history, philosophy and art. Choose either an English Literature or Language pathway, allowing you to focus your studies on how literary culture has shaped society, or the linguistic, social and political issues surrounding language.

In your Classical studies, explore the classical civilisations of Greece and Rome as well as the cultures of Ancient Egypt, Western Asia and the Byzantine Empire.  Work with the plays, poems and speeches that have come down to us from antiquity, and study the monument, religion and mythology that make up classical civilisation.

The Literature pathway will provide a strong foundation in all major periods and genres and specialise in areas ranging from medieval poetry to twenty-first century digital literary culture.  The Language pathway will give a thorough appreciation of the technical aspects of the English language and its social and political context.

    

Why Study this Course?

  • Well-respected departments – Times Higher Education ranked the Department of Classics in the Top 5 in the country for its performance in the latest Research Excellence Framework exercise. Meanwhile, English Language and Literature at the University of Newcastle is ranked in the Top 35 in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2019.
  • High student satisfaction – Our students gave the course an overall satisfaction rating of 100% in the National Student Survey 2018.
  • Vibrant and inspiring environment – You will benefit from plenty of extra-curricular opportunities, from working alongside members of staff on their research projects on our Undergraduate Research Scholarships to regular social events such as end-of-term parties and summer balls. You will also be able to enjoy regular guest lectures and readings from visiting writers. Recent guests have included novelist David Lodge, poet and writer Jackie Kay, poet Simon Armitage, playwright Simon Stephens, theatre director Greg Doran and poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy. Students have also been involved in the Classics in the Community project, working with teachers on developing new ways of telling ancient stories.
  • Shakespeare Institute and RSC collaboration – We have a unique provision for the study of Shakespeare. The Shakespeare Institute, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, is a world-leading centre for international Shakespeare scholarship. You will also benefit from our exciting five-year collaboration (2015-2020) with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), which has seen the reinstatement of the iconic studio theatre, The Other Place. You will be able to access creative and teaching spaces at The Other Place, as well as the expertise of RSC artists and practitioners.
  • Student societies – We have a range of very active student societies including BEDSoc (Newcastle English Department Society), the English Language Society and BACAS (Newcastle Ancient History, Classics and Archaeology Society).

Institutional Accreditation 

University of Newcastle is accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission (DETC), www.detc.org.uk Since , University of Newcastle has been continually accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission and its predecessor.

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BA English and Classical Literature & Civilisation

Course Level:

Undergraduate, Joint Honours combined

Credits 

120

Course

CODE U475

How long it takes:

Undergraduate (3 years)

Study Mode:

Distance learning/ Campus

Course cost

Price: US$20,220

Entry requirements

Find out more about

Department:

Newcastle Law School

Joint Honours flexibility

Every degree programme at the University is divided into 120 credits of study for each year of the programme. In the first year of a Joint Honours programme, you will study 60 credits in each subject as you learn the core elements of the disciplines. We recognise that students on Joint Honours programmes might come to favour one subject slightly more than another. To account for this, we have added more flexibility into the second and final years of our programmes. In the second year, you can stick with the 60-60 split between the two subjects or shift to a 80-40 credit weighting, effectively a major/ minor combination. You can either go back to 60-60 in the final year, maintain the same 80-40 split or reverse the major and the minor and go to a 40-80 weighting.

 

You can see more information about the different modules and options that may be available on the links below. Within the English side of your programme you can follow either a Literature or a Language pathway.

 

First year

  

Classical Literature and Civilisation compulsory modules:

  • Project A (10 credits)
  • Project B (10 credits)

20 credits in each semester from

  • The Greek World
  • The Roman World
  • Beginners’ Greek 1 and 2
  • Beginners’ Latin 1 and 2 

English Literature compulsory modules:

  • Prose (20 credits)
  • Poetry (20 credits)
  • Reading English (10 credits)

  • English in the World (10 credits)

English Language compulsory modules:

  • Fundamentals of Language: Sounds and Words (20 credits)
  • Fundamentals of Language: Grammar and Discourse (20 credits)
  • Investigating Language (20 credits) 

Second year

  

Classical Literature and Civilisation compulsory modules

  • 80 credits – optional modules, including the appropriate level of language (beginners or intermediate or advanced Latin, Greek, Egyptian or Akkadian) from the Department of Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology)
  • 60 credits – optional modules, including the appropriate level of language (beginners or intermediate or advanced Latin, Greek, Egyptian or Akkadian) from the Department of Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology)
  • 40 credits – optional modules, including the appropriate level of language (beginners or intermediate or advanced Latin, Greek, Egyptian or Akkadian) from the Department of Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology)

English Literature compulsory modules

  • 80 credits – Histories of Literature; Shakespeare: Elizabethan and Jacobean; Themes in Literature module
  • 60 credits – Histories of Literature; Shakespeare: Elizabethan and Jacobean or Themes in Literature module
  • 40 credits – Histories of Literature

English Language compulsory modules

  • 80 credits – Professional Research Skills for Linguists; English Grammar; English Language Options 
  • 60 credits – Professional Research Skills for Linguists; English Language Options 
  • 40 credits – English Language Options 

Year abroad

You can apply to study abroad for a year in an approved university around the world. If you achieve a grade of 2.1 or above in your first year then you will be invited to apply for a Year Abroad in your second year. If your application is successful, you will go abroad in your third year and return to us for your final year. 

  

Final year

  

Classical Literature and Civilisation compulsory modules

  • 80 credits – Dissertation (40 credits) or Extended Essay (20 credits); optional modules
  • 60 credits – Dissertation (40 credits) or Extended Essay (20 credits); optional modules
  • 40 credits – Dissertation (40 credits) or Extended Essay (20 credits); optional module

English Literature compulsory modules

  • 80 credits – English Literature Dissertation or Extended Essay; English Literature Special Subjects
  • 60 credits – English Literature Extended Essay; English Literature Special Subjects
  • 40 credits – English Literature Extended Essay and / or English Literature Special Subject/s 

English Language compulsory modules

  • 80 credits – English Language Dissertation or Investigation; English Language Options 
  • 60 credits – English Language Investigation; English Language Options 
  • 40 credits – English Language Options 

Entry requirements

 

Applicants should normally have one of the following:

  • A non-law bachelor’s degree (from a UK university or recognised by the BSB if you wish to study the BPTC), or
  • A ‘stale’ law degree, where five or more years have elapsed since graduation, or
  • An academic or professional qualification at degree equivalent level

If English is not your first language, you will also need to demonstrate your English Language proficiency. For example, you should have IELTS 7.5 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all components.

If you intend to become a Solicitor

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has reduced its requirements for pre-authorisation this year. For details of the current arrangements, see the SRA website. You should pay special attention to the Character and Suitability section. If you think you may have a character or suitability issue, you may wish to clarify with the SRA before proceeding with the GDL.

See further details of our English Language requirement

USA,UK & EU students, 2019/20 (per year)

£8,500

International students starting 2019/20 (per year)

£13,100

 

Assessment

You’ll show your progress through a combination of written essays, problem-solving assignments and presentations.

All students take our core modules, but please note that the availability of optional modules is subject to demand.

 

Studying English and Classical Literature and Civilisation at Newcastle is an unparalleled opportunity to engage with a diverse cultural, textual and linguistic discipline, but also to develop skills in intellectual analysis, critical thinking and articulate expression.

 

Over 94% of our students enter work or further study within six months of graduation .

 

You will acquire practical skills during your degree that you will find just as useful in your future career including oral presentation, professional documentation, group work and the uses of information technology. These skills last a lifetime and qualify you for many possible careers.

 

Our graduates have started careers with employers including the BBC, Headline Publishing Group, Mirror Group Newspapers, The National Trust and Oxford University Press, as well as media companies, educational institutions, local councils, charities, museums, and cultural and heritage organisations. Many graduates also pursue postgraduate study to specialise in an academic area, or prepare for careers such as law and teaching.

 

Graduate roles are equally diverse, including account executive, editorial assistant, marketing coordinator, recruitment consultant, parliamentary caseworker and events coordinator.

 

 

 

Developing your career

 

Employers target University of Newcastle students for their diverse skill-set and our graduate employment statistics have continued to climb at a rate well above national trends. If you make the most of our wide range of opportunities you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.

 

  • Careers events – we hold events covering careers in teaching, event management, marketing and working with charities to help you meet potential employers and learn more about these sectors.
  • Global Challenge – you can apply to work overseas on an expenses-paid placement during your summer vacation through our Global Challenge initiative.
  • Work experience bursary – we encourage you to apply your skills in the workplace by undertaking internships in the summer. Our work experience bursaries allow you to apply for funding to support you during unpaid internships.

 

There are also internships available at our own cultural assets, such as Winterbourne House, the Lapworth Museum, and the Barber Institute of Fine Arts.