UCAS Q802, three years
UCL describes a three-year BA that builds expertise in at least one ancient language.
Undergraduate · UCL Classics and Ancient World
UCL Classics and Ancient World: an ancient language, with no language required to start
UCL's Classics degree is titled Classics and Ancient World BA. It develops expertise in at least one ancient language, yet at AAB it lists no required A-level subject, so the language can be learned from scratch. That makes it more open than Oxford's Classics. The decision is whether you want classics through language and the wider ancient world together.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What UCL asks for in Classics and Ancient World
Taken from UCL's Classics and Ancient World BA course page (a saved copy that UCL labels as possibly not showing recent changes) and read on 31 October 2026. For a normal 2028-entry application, made in 2027, every requirement below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change; UCL's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.
AAB, with no required subject
The A-level requirement is AAB, with GCSE English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 4.
IB 17 points at Higher Level
17 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5.
At least one ancient language
UCL says students develop expertise in at least one ancient language.
No required A-level subject
Latin and Greek are not listed as entry requirements at AAB.
Official sources
Read on 31 October 2026 on UCL's Classics and Ancient World BA course page (a saved copy that UCL labels as possibly not showing recent changes), which describes 2027 entry. UCL's department pages, the fees pages, the contextual-offer details and the 2028-entry values were not read, and the page lists no admissions test or interview so none is stated and are not stated.
The course
The ancient world, through language and culture
UCL says students study the ancient world and develop expertise in at least one ancient language, in a three-year degree taught in small groups and some larger lectures, and within walking distance of London's cultural institutions.
Is it the right degree?
UCL's Classics against Ancient History and Oxford
The language element is the main difference from UCL's Ancient History.
Choose Classics and Ancient World if
you want an ancient language and the ancient world, with an open entry.
Choose Ancient History if
you want history-led study and have History or a classical subject. Avandy's UCL Ancient History guide covers it.
Compare Oxford Classics if
you want a longer, more language-intensive course. Avandy's Oxford Classics guide records its own rules.
Entry rules
AAB with no required subject
A-level applicants need AAB with GCSE English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 4; no required A-level subject is listed. IB applicants need 17 points in three higher level subjects with no higher level score below 5. UCL's page lists no admissions test or interview. This page states no scores.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not UCL's.
Do you want to learn an ancient language?
At least one is part of the degree.
Is an open subject rule useful?
No A-level subject is required.
Do you want small-group teaching?
UCL describes it.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Applying for 2028 entry means applying in 2027, under rules UCL has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means UCL published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means UCL has not yet published it.
Grades, the subject requirements and the preferred-subject guidance: last verified for 2027 entry
These are the best guide to what to prepare. UCL has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
The UCAS deadline and the 2028-entry requirements: awaiting publication for 2028 entry
Check UCL's course page for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
What to do now
Confirm the required subjects, read the course structure and plan your preparation around it.
Support
Independent support with course choice and preparation
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with University College London or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here means course-fit advice, subject mentoring and ethical preparation; Avandy gives no scores or probabilities and does not write applications. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
What does UCL Classics and Ancient World BA require?
AAB at A level with GCSE English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 4, in UCL's wording for 2027 entry.
What is the IB requirement?
17 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5.
Do I need Latin or Greek?
The page lists no required A-level subject, so a language can be started at UCL.
Is the degree called Classics?
UCL's page title is Classics and Ancient World BA.
Does Avandy state offer scores?
No. This page records UCL's wording for 2027 entry and states no scores or probabilities.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are UCL's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the course page again when UCL publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about UCL Classics and Ancient World
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their Latin and Greek, whether they want to start a language and how this degree compares with Oxford Classics, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.