Classical Civilisation
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Classical Civilisation Summer Courses
Explore the societies, ideas and cultures of the ancient world with Atlas Summer Courses. Our two-week Classical Civilisation summer courses, available for students aged 16–17 and 18–24, give you the opportunity to investigate the history, literature, politics and culture of ancient Greece and Rome.
Through seminars, tutorials and independent study, you'll examine ancient evidence and different interpretations of the classical world while developing your ability to analyse sources, evaluate arguments and consider how ancient societies continue to influence the world today.
What's Included?
Your residential Classical Civilisation summer course includes academic teaching, accommodation, meals, a certificate on completion, airport transfer from Heathrow and insurance.
Choose from Plus, Superior and Premier packages, with accommodation and additional benefits varying by package.
What Is Classical Civilisation?
Classical Civilisation explores the societies and cultures of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds through their history, literature, philosophy, politics, mythology and material culture.
Unlike courses focused on studying ancient languages, Classical Civilisation allows you to investigate the classical world through texts in translation and other forms of historical evidence. This can include literature, historical accounts, art, architecture and archaeological material.
Studying the subject means asking questions about how ancient people understood their societies and how we can interpret their world from the evidence that remains. It can also involve examining the influence classical ideas have had on later cultures, politics, literature and thought.
A Classical Civilisation summer course gives you the opportunity to explore these connections and develop a deeper understanding of the ancient world.
What Will You Study on a Classical Civilisation Summer Course?
There is no prescribed syllabus that every student follows. Atlas Summer Courses tutors create their own syllabi, drawing on their expertise while taking the interests and learning needs of their students into account.
Depending on your course, you could explore areas such as ancient Greek and Roman society, mythology, literature, politics, philosophy, religion, warfare, art or archaeology.
You might consider questions such as:
- How were ancient Greek and Roman societies organised?
- What can mythology tell us about ancient beliefs and values?
- How did ideas about politics and citizenship develop in the classical world?
- What can literature reveal about life in ancient societies?
- How do historians interpret incomplete or conflicting ancient evidence?
- How have classical ideas influenced later societies and cultures?
This flexible approach allows tutors to explore their specialist areas while responding to the interests and progress of the group. Any syllabus shown on our website is an example from a previous course rather than a guarantee of the exact periods, texts or topics you'll study.
How You'll Learn on a Classical Civilisation Summer Course
The Atlas Summer Courses Classical Civilisation summer course combines small-group seminars, tutorials and private study across the two-week programme.
18 hours of small-group seminars
You'll take part in six three-hour seminars, exploring the classical world through discussion, ancient sources, case studies and activities. You'll be encouraged to examine evidence, compare interpretations and develop well-reasoned arguments of your own.
2 hours of tutorials
You'll have one tutorial each week, providing a focused environment in which to discuss the essay or problem sheet you've been working on and receive detailed feedback.
Around 20 hours of private study
You'll complete reading in preparation for seminars and work independently on an essay or problem sheet for each tutorial.
Together, these give you experience of a more independent approach to academic learning, where close analysis, discussion and developing your own interpretations all play an important role.
Who Are Our Classical Civilisation Summer Courses For?
Our Classical Civilisation summer courses are designed for students who are curious about the ancient world and want to explore the societies, ideas and cultures of Greece and Rome in greater depth.
You don't need to have studied Classical Civilisation, Latin or Ancient Greek before. The course may particularly appeal to you if you enjoy history, literature, philosophy, politics, mythology or examining how people in different societies understood the world around them.
You'll develop transferable skills including critical thinking, source analysis, evaluating different interpretations, constructing arguments, independent research and communicating complex ideas clearly.
If you're interested in related subjects, you can also explore our History summer courses and Philosophy summer courses.
Learn from Expert Tutors
Atlas Summer Courses tutors are experienced educators and subject specialists active across academia, industry and education.
They bring their own academic expertise and interests into their teaching and have the freedom to shape their syllabus around both their specialism and the students in their group. This allows each Classical Civilisation summer course to explore different periods, sources and aspects of the ancient world while maintaining an appropriate level of academic challenge.
Tutors are confirmed closer to the summer, so profiles on our website are examples of tutors who have previously taught with us rather than confirmation of who will teach your course.
Where Can Classical Civilisation Take You?
Classical Civilisation connects with a wide range of subjects across the humanities.
Students interested in the field may go on to study Classical Civilisation, Classics or related subjects such as ancient history, archaeology, history, philosophy, literature or politics.
The analytical, research and communication skills associated with Classical Civilisation can also support future paths across areas such as research, education, museums and heritage, publishing, journalism, law and the wider cultural sector.
A Classical Civilisation summer course gives you the opportunity to explore the ancient world before making longer-term academic decisions and discover which periods, ideas and aspects of classical culture interest you most.
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FAQs about Our Summer Courses
No. You don't usually need to have studied your chosen subject before joining an Atlas Summer Courses summer course. Courses are designed for the relevant age group, and tutors can adapt their approach to the abilities, interests and experience of the students in their group.
There is no fixed curriculum that every student follows. Our tutors create their own syllabi based on their academic expertise and the interests and learning needs of their students.
This means the exact topics can vary between courses and years. Any syllabus or topics shown on our website are examples from previous courses and shouldn't be taken as a guarantee of exactly what you'll study.
Teaching depends on your age group. Students aged 9–12 and Scholars aged 12–14 learn through structured, interactive small-group classes. Students aged 13–15 combine small-group seminars with private study, while students aged 16–17 and 18–24 experience seminars, tutorials and independent study.
Across our programmes, teaching is designed to encourage active participation, questioning and independent thinking rather than simply listening to lectures.
Your course includes your academic programme, accommodation, meals and a certificate on completion, alongside the activities and experiences included within your programme.
What's included can vary depending on the programme, age group and package you choose, so we recommend checking the individual course details for the full inclusions before applying.
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