Greek (3 Years) [BA]

The Greek programme is based on the study of Greek language and literature in each of the three years of study. Those who have already taken the subject at A-level follow Route 1, while Route 2 is available for those who have not.  Where appropriate, the texts for literary and historical course units are studied in the original language. There is a wide range of styles of teaching, including lectures, seminars, small-group tutorials and virtual seminars via the web. In particular, we encourage students to involve themselves under guidance in independent study and original research.

The course aims to: 

• develop and encourage students' interest in the languages, literature and culture of the classical world, by providing a broadly based and challenging curriculum including course-units that are innovative and stimulating, informed by the research expertise of the teaching staff, and examined by a range of methods of assessment;
• to enable students to read an ever-growing range of ancient authors in the original, with accuracy, fluency and enjoyment;
• provide students with progressive language courses in Greek, starting from elementary, intermediate or advanced level, consolidating any existing knowledge of the language(s) and developing particularly reading knowledge but also some active competence and other language-based and language-related skills;
• train students in the methods, techniques and approaches necessary for the critical study of Greek literature, based on extensive reading of classical texts, studied both in the original language(s) and in translation;
• help students to work independently and to organise effectively their own schedules of personal study;
• produce graduates with the transferable cognitive skills necessary to equip them for employment, postgraduate study, or further training.

Students may apply to spend one semester studying abroad during the second year of their degree. For more information consult the  Study Abroad Programme website.

Please note that reference to modules is intended to be a guide only - course content or availability may change slightly as we aim to improve and update our courses yearly. 

In your first year you will study three core units covering Greek language, Greek literature and Greek history. Courses available may include: the Odyssey; Archaic Greek History. In addition you will study two further course units from Classics & Ancient History. Finally, you will study one subject from the list of Classics-approved courses, such as: Archaeology, History of Art, Middle Eastern Studies, Philosophy and Religions & Theology.

Please note that reference to modules is intended to be a guide only - course content or availability may change slightly as we aim to improve and update our courses yearly.

In the second year you will study two courses in Greek language and literature. You will also choose four additional course units - either from available Classics courses or from the list of Classics- approved courses. Courses normally on offer include: Greek Comedy; Gods, Kings and Heroes; Classical Greek history. You can also opt to study a free-choice course unit which can be chosen from a wide range of courses within the University. 

Please note that reference to modules is intended to be a guide only - course content or availability may change slightly as we aim to improve and update our courses yearly.    

In your final year you complete your study of Greek language with a final course unit. In addition, you will study four course units either from within Classics & Ancient History (topics in the final year may include courses such as: Greek Epic Poetry; Greek Tragedy; courses on Latin literature and courses on Greek History including Athens and Attica and Greek Slavery) or from the list of Classics-approved courses. Finally, you will write a thesis on a subject of your choice - the thesis is your chance to carry out your own independent study of the classical past.

A classical degree (especially one including a language element) opens many doors and is highly prized by employers. We see our graduates take up jobs in museum or gallery management, publishing, the media, the Civil Service, industry, banking, accountancy, retail management and law, as well as teaching.

A level:

Grades ABB-BBB. Two AS-levels accepted in place of one A-level. General Studies is welcomed but not normally included as part of the standard offer. If you offer Greek as one of your subjects, you will continue your study of the language on Route 1; if you have not studied the subject before then you will begin your study of it on Route 2.

AS level:

Two AS levels accepted instead of one A-level (AS level grades must be equivalent to the required A-level grade).

Only one A-level can be replaced, with either two AS levels or one AS level Double Award.

Unit grade information: The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit grade information which, like all other available information, will inform the consideration of applications.  Unit grades will not normally form part of offer conditions, except for Mathematics programmes.

GCSE: English Language at minimum of grade C.

Key Skills qualification: The University warmly welcomes applications from students studying the Key Skills qualification. However, as the opportunities to take these modules are not open to all applicants, currently this is not an essential requirement of the University.

International Baccalaureate:

34-31 points overall (core points accepted), to include 5 or 6 at Higher level in three subjects. If you offer Greek as one of your subjects, you will continue your study of the language on Route 1; if you have not studied the subject before then you will begin your study of it on Route 2.

Additional entry requirements

English language:

Minimum IELTS score of 7.0 or equivalent;

eg. NCUK EAP minimum Grade of A with range of 70-79

     TOEFL: PBT score of 600; CBT score of 250; TWE score of 5.5; IBT score of 100.

Applications are considered on the basis of an assessment of the quality of the personal statement, the reference, and past and predicted academic achievements. We encourage applicants to give details of their motivation for studying this particular subject.

Normally, we only interview applicants who are applying with non-standard entry requirements.

We warmly encourage applications from mature applicants and students returning to education. All such applications are considered on an individual basis.  Applicants are encouraged to contact the Admissions Officer ( mary.beagon@manchester.ac.uk) for any discussion that they might find useful.

We warmly encourage overseas applicants. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Admissions Officer ( mary.beagon@manchester.ac.uk) for any discussion that they might find useful.

We welcome applications for deferred entry and feel a gap year benefits many students. 

We ask applicants to let us know as early as possible if they are intending to defer.  This helps us to adjust the number of offers we make, in order to achieve the required number of students in a given year. 

Please note that our Classics degree programmes will be revised in 2013, to make their structures more clear and effective: this means that the Greek degree programme will no longer be available to new students from September 2013 ( those starting their degree in September 2012 may be assured that they will continue on the same degree-programme for the full length of their degree). Applicants who wish to defer entry to this degree programme to September 2013 will be offered all its constituent course-units, but should apply to the revised Classics programme, which offers specialism in Greek or Latin, or both languages.

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry.  In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved.  We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.If you are applying for a place for the same year of entry through UCAS Extra, you should provide additional evidence of your suitability for the course. If you are applying through clearing you are required to meet the clearing requirements. In both UCAS Extra and clearing the places will be subject to availability.

We will consider applications to transfer to Manchester from other universities and would normally ask for a letter explaining why a transfer was needed, relevant transcripts, a copy of the applicant's UCAS form and a confidential reference from one of the applicant's current university tutors.

We will consider applications to transfer from other degrees within the University of Manchester but applicants are required to have the A-level grades (or other qualifications) needed for entry to that degree programme.

Both of the above are subject to our having enough places to accommodate such applicants.  Enquiries should be made to the admissions administrator for the subject (see contact details). 

The core of most literary and historical course units is provided by lectures, which introduce and survey the main issues, and which are supported by small-group tutorials and seminars. Language classes are taught intensively, with group size capped to encourage participation. You are encouraged to involve yourself, under guidance, in independent study and original research. Socrates/Erasmus exchanges, or exchanges with USA, Canada and Australia are available.

Assessment practices in different course units vary, but our basic aim is to achieve a good balance between formal examinations, continuous assessment, and project work. Written examinations are held at the end of most courses. The third-year dissertation provides 25% of the total marks for the degree.

Please see our subject website at http://www.arts.manchester.ac.uk/subjectareas/classicsancienthistory/

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants from the Disability Support Office. Email: disability@manchester.ac.uk