Classics & Philosophy

As you can see, Classical Studies, Ancient History and Philosophy students are very employable, 81% of graduates in 2010 are either in work, further study or a combination of the two.

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This data is collected every year by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) to show what HE students do six months after graduation.

Careers with a Classical Studies, Ancient History and/or Philosophy Degree:

Analyst
Armed Forces: NCOs and Other ranks
Archivist
Building Surveyor
Business Professional
Chartered & Certified Accountant
Curator
Educational Assistants (HE, FE Tutors and Language Assistants)
Employment Agency Consultant
Editor
Finance Manager & Director
Fire Service Officer
Investment Adviser
Librarian
Local Government Clerical Officers & Assistant
Marketing Assistant and Advertising Clerk
Police Officer
Researcher (Media)
Retail & Wholesale Manager
Sales Manager
Secondary Teacher
Solicitors' Assistant & Court Officer
Web Developer & Producer

You can find out more about what Classical Studies graduates do| from across the University of London.

Graduates from the Department, whether on Single or Joint Honours degree programmes, have much to offer potential employers, including a range of specific, practical, intellectual, theoretical and transferable skills.

It’s particularly important to identify what you have to offer employers, as a recent survey found that more and more employers are looking at ‘employability skills’ when selecting graduate employees.

As all the degrees taken in the Department comprise a combination of subject areas, graduates gain valuable experience and skills in a range of disciplines, which makes them especially versatile and attractive to employers.

Skills acquired from your degree course areas:

General Skills (especially showcased in projects & dissertations)

Coherent and clear communication of views, both oral and written
Individual and team work skills, e.g. task delegation, presentation
Ability to digest, analyse and summarise content and interpretive views
Critical awareness of strengths/weaknesses in arguments
Time management: organising study, meeting deadlines
Independent research skills, using a wide range of contemporary media
Growth in self-confidence
Pride in presentations, both oral and written
Ability to tackle and solve problems

Ancient History

Awareness of the importance of change & development: different political institutions and the economy (trade, labour force, revenue, expansion).
Study of international relations, diplomacy, power politics.
Social historical awareness of ‘muted groups’, e.g. women, elderly, children, ‘foreigners’, slaves.
Comparative use of range of different media: literary, statistical, material, visual.
Understanding of problems of bias, selectivity, conventions.
Study of conflict causes and resolutions.
Appreciation of different ‘leadership styles’ and organisational structures (military, political, trade): strengths & weaknesses.
Understanding of the changing and different roles of e.g. religion in society.

Greek & Roman Literature

Ability to recognise and deploy means of persuasion: rhetoric, style, structure, devices
Understanding of bias, selectivity, conventions
Ability to select appropriate communication styles for audience, reader or market
Appreciation of ‘the dramatic’ and how to use it
Sensitivity to the evolution of literary forms, particularly in their wider social contexts (e.g. ‘reception’)
The different cultural roles of myth

Greek & Latin Language

Active awareness of detail, for accuracy and clarity of expression
Significant increase in both active and passive vocabulary
Understanding of the evolution of languages in social contexts
Ability to offer a variety of interpretations: translating both words and ideas
Active skills in use of mechanisms of language: register, idiom, metaphor, linguistic conventions, ‘house style’

Greek & Roman Archaeology

Understanding of the importance and roles of visual cultures and ideologies
Awareness of the relation of space to function: religious, domestic, political, commercial
Appreciation of the problems in handling and mishandling material evidence
Ability to collate and present statistical data successfully

Philosophy

Ability to challenge and interpret a variety of theoretical issues and approaches
Independent thinking in the context of others, responding, debating
Ability to construct coherent, logical arguments
Awareness of the historical and social development of thought, leading to theoretical innovation

More Information|

More than 34% of Classical Studies graduates continue on to further study.

Not everyone wants to continue their academic interests into the workplace. You may feel you need help in deciding what to do next.