Classics/Politics

Classics and politics is a pairing that has deep historical roots. The political thought of ancient Greece and Rome did not merely influence Western political philosophy: it constituted it. Plato's Republic, Aristotle's Politics, Cicero's writings on the Roman constitution, Thucydides' account of democratic decision-making in wartime, these are not just historical curiosities but foundational texts that continue to shape how we think about power, justice, democracy and the common good.

Studying classics alongside politics allows you to trace those foundations and to bring ancient and modern perspectives into productive dialogue.

At the University of Glasgow, the programme offers the opportunity to study the literature, history, art and material culture of ancient Greece and Rome, with the option to develop your Latin and Greek at whatever level you begin from. The politics strand covers political theory, comparative government, international relations and the analysis of contemporary political systems, giving you a rich set of analytical tools for understanding how power works in the modern world. The degree includes a year abroad, offering the chance to study in a different academic and cultural environment.

Glasgow's part-time mode makes the degree accessible to students who cannot commit to full-time study.

Graduates of classics and politics combinations are valued in careers that prize analytical depth, cultural literacy and the ability to engage with complex questions of value and governance. The civil service, law, journalism, politics, the diplomatic service, academia, think tanks and policy research organisations are among the destinations classics and politics graduates enter. Postgraduate study in classics, ancient history, political theory or philosophy is a natural continuation for those drawn to academic or research careers.