• Undergraduate Programme
• School of Classics

Degree structure

All degrees in St Andrews are built up from modules that are typically taught and examined over the course of one semester; each academic year has two semesters. Successful completion of a module adds the credits for that module to the student's total.

For most honours degrees, you are required to obtain 120 credits each year.

First and Second Years

In the first and second years, modules typically carry 20 credits, so you will take three modules each semester. In addition to the modules required in your chosen subject, there is a broad choice of other modules. Some students take this opportunity to study a wide range of subjects, such as Latin/Psychology/Mathematics, or Classical Studies/French/Divinity), while others prefer a more traditional combination, such as Greek/Latin/Ancient History. Either way, throughout the first two years, you will normally study the subject(s) you intend to take your degree in.

Honours

In the third and fourth year, students who have performed well enough are admitted to honours. Teaching at this level is more specialised, and in the School of Classics, modules carry 30 credits. Most modules are assessed about 50/50 on course-work and exam. A dissertation is compulsory for single Honours students.

Most undergraduates take four-year MA Honours Degrees, but the first two years are spent at sub-honours level.The flexible structure of the St Andrews degree gives students the opportunity to choose between a range of Single Honours degree programmes such as Greek, Classics, Ancient History, and Joint Honours programmes such as French and Latin, Classics and Philosophy, History (combining Ancient with Modern and Mediaeval).

Further details are available in the University Prospectus, but you are encouraged to contact the School (tel. 01334-462600; email: classics@st-andrews.ac.uk) if you have any queries.