Classics 2026 personal statement guide

Tell admissions tutors what fascinates you about classics, any particular areas you’d love to focus on, and what attributes you can bring to the course. Carpe diem and let your passions show!

General advice about writing your personal statement

What do admissions staff at universities and colleges want to see?

Guidance and examples you can use

Question 1: Why do you want to study this course or subject?

This is your opportunity to showcase your passion and knowledge of your chosen subject area and to demonstrate to universities and colleges why it’s a good fit for you and your future ambitions.

Examples:

• Try and bring your love of classics to life with evidence. What currently inspires you about the subject? Whether it’s TV programme Treasures of Ancient Greece, TV series Troy: Fall of a City, or a recent trip you went on to Rome or Athens, relate it to what you hope to explore further on your chosen course. 
• Can you reference books you’ve studied that have inspired your interest too? Perhaps you’ve read Professor Mary Beard’s SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome, or you’re a fan of Stephen Fry’s Heroes: The myths of the Ancient Greek heroes retold. Explain how they’ve made you want to study classics at degree level. 
• If it's relevant, explain where you see yourself in the future and how a classics degree can help you get there, whether you want to write, study law or go into politics. Don't forget to elaborate on why – if you mention a blog you write, work experience you’ve had at a council, MP’s office, or at a law firm, your statement will look stronger. 

Question 2: How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

This is your chance to shout about the relevant or transferable skills you’ve gained from your formal education and highlight your understanding of how they will help you succeed in this subject area.

Examples:

• If you’ve already studied Latin, that may have sparked your original interest in Classics, but it also means you can speak the language, so make sure you highlight that by giving examples of texts you’ve read, or language exercises you’ve done. You must check the entry requirements for the course you’re applying to, as Latin A level is a prerequisite for some three-year courses, where others require Latin, Greek, or a modern foreign language at Grade 7 GCSE or above, and others have no language requirements at all.
• If you’ve studied history or philosophy at A level or equivalent, can you pick a relevant topic you did, and show how you went above and beyond the syllabus? Perhaps you carried out your own research into Socrates or Plato, or went to see the Greek and Roman life room at the British Museum?
• Illustrate how studying history or other subjects like English or law have enabled you to think analytically and critically, as well as carry out independent research and writing. Mention specific projects, such as studying Roman history, and how the skills you picked up will relate to your degree.
• Have you done any online courses to boost your knowledge in the subject? For example, why not try Subject Spotlights or Virtual Work Experiences from Springpod to grow your skills and interest?

Question 3: What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

This is your chance to talk about any other activities you have undertaken outside of your formal education, or personal experiences which further demonstrate your suitability for the course. This section is likely to be highly personal to you and anything you do include should reflect on why you’re including it.

Examples:

• Can you think of any creative ways you’ve engaged with classics? It could be through work experience or creative writing, reading poetry in Latin, or an interest in current affairs and how Greek and Roman culture helps us to understand them, or maybe something about how your hobbies and personal interests fit with classics. For example, if you act or love watching theatre, are you interested in the Greek tragedies or mythology?
• Think how your commitment to a weekend activity like a competitive sport or drama group helps with your time management, and communicate how you’ll use this effectively during your degree.
• Write about relevant skills you’ve picked up in part-time jobs or work-shadowing too, such as project management, good communication, or language skills.

How to set yourself apart

The key to setting yourself apart in your application is to remember how important the ‘personal’ bit is to your personal statement. What makes you, you?

Think of what other personal qualities you have, such as good planning or research skills, and where you got these from. These attributes may come from your studies, a part-time job or volunteering you’ve done at a library, museum or charity. Make sure you also match what you’re saying to the course you’re applying for.

Finally, relate what you’re excited about studying back to something you’ve seen on Pompeii the new dig, viewed online in the Met’s Greek and Roman art collection, or read in Classical Art from Greece to Rome or a book you studied during Latin A level, for example.

Some more tips to consider

1. Confidence and motivation: To study classics, you need to demonstrate you can work well independently and be self-motivated, as well as be confident giving presentations and writing essays.
2. Examples of your relevant skills: Can you describe situations where you’ve demonstrated skills like good communication or teamwork, problem-solving, initiative or achieving goals? 
3. Research the course: Explain why you want to study classics, what specific aspects of the course interest you, how it relates to your academic studies, and what additional reading or other activities have led you to apply.
4. Making your work experience count: It’s not just what you've done but how you've reflected on it. Whether you work-shadowed at a museum, heritage site, newspaper, or think tank, make sure you spell out what you personally gained from it.