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Dr John Patterson
Jrp11@cam.ac.uk
Dr Philippa Steele
Lumley Research Fellow in Classics
Dr Alex Mullen
Research Fellow in Classical Linguistics
Dr Simon Stoddart
Director of Studies in Archaeology & Anthropology
Magdalene has 7 undergraduates studying Classics
We normally receive between 4 and 9 applications a year and expect to admit 2-3 students.
The Cambridge Classics course has in the past normally been a three-year course, but we are now also offering a four-year version, which is intended for those applicants who have not had the opportunity to study Latin to A-Level (or equivalent) at school. The three-year course is still available to those with Latin at A2 level, or equivalent.
The organization of the three-year course is as follows:
The first year course (leading to the Part IA examination) provides an introduction to the study of the classical world focused around a series of 'Target Texts' selected from central authors including Homer, Plato and Euripides in Greek, and Cicero, Virgil and Livy in Latin. As well as working on their ancient languages, students are also introduced to the other disciplines within Classics, with lectures and supervisions on philosophy, ancient history, archaeology, and philology and linguistics.
In their second year (leading to Part IB in Classics) students continue with work in Greek and Latin language and literature, and specialise in two of the other disciplines; in both first and second years they can take optional papers in Greek and/or Latin Verse and Prose Composition (i.e. translation from English into Greek or Latin) for extra credit.
Often students find that the third year (leading to Part II in Classics) is in many ways the most exciting part of their Classics degree: a very flexible series of options allows students virtually to create their own course, with the opportunity to choose four papers from a long list on offer in literature, philosophy, history, art and archaeology, philology and linguistics, and interdisciplinary studies. Each paper focuses in considerable detail on a particular author or theme, allowing students to use the skills they have learnt in Parts IA and 1B in a thorough investigation of one aspect of the ancient world. It is also possible to 'borrow' papers from other Triposes (e.g. 'Tragedy' from the English Tripos); and to submit a dissertation on a subject of your choice in place of one of the papers. See the Faculty website for further information ( www.classics.cam.ac.uk).
Students taking the four-year-course will spend a preliminary first year in Cambridge studying Latin language and literature, and Roman culture through Latin texts. They then join the students on the the three-year course (see above), and begin to learn Greek in their second year in Cambridge, leading to Classics Part IA. Part IB will be taken in their third year and Part II in their fourth year.
The course is taught with a mixture of language classes, lectures (almost always held in the Classics Faculty Building in Sidgwick Avenue) and supervisions. The latter might involve translation of a Greek or Latin text, "critical discussion" of a piece of literature, or be based on students' essay work, and provide an opportunity for in-depth investigation of an author or topic with a specialist in the discipline. In their first two years students can normally expect to attend about 10 lectures per week, and will typically have one weekly supervision based on an essay or a piece of criticism, and also one on each of their ancient languages. Teaching for the first year of the four-year course is primarily in the form of Faculty classes, though students also have College-based supervisions.
Dr Patterson, whose research interests lie in the field of Roman history, generally teaches ancient history for those Magdalene students taking that option. Other subjects are taught by specialists in the appropriate disciplines, both Fellows and graduate students.
Magdalene's College Library has a good stock of Classics books, to complement the holdings of the Classics Faculty Library and the University Library. After the exams are over, the annual Classics dinner provides a convivial end to the academic year for students and supervisors alike.
Nearly all students beginning the three-year Classics course have a good A -level (or equivalent) in Latin - typically an A* grade.
Some of our applicants have A-Level in both Greek and Latin, but the majority of undergraduates beginning the course have now not studied Greek to A-Level standard; the Faculty's Intensive Greek course caters both for those who have taken GCSE in Greek, and those without any qualification in the subject.
Candidates for the four-year course need not have studied Latin or Greek before, but clearly experience of and a qualification in one or more of the classical languages (at GCSE for example) would be advantageous. A high level of achievement in one or more Modern Languages would also be valuable.
A typical offer for entry in 2011 (or deferred for 2012 entry) will be A*AA, though candidates should note that offers are tailored to individual circumstances, based on academic record and background.
Three year course: A*AA at A2-Level. Candidates without an A-level in Greek will be required to carry out preparatory work in that language before beginning their Cambridge course: normally this is done by attending a Summer School.
Four-year course: A*AA at A2-Level. Four year candidates will be required to carry out preparatory work in Latin before beginning their Cambridge course: normally this is done by attending a Summer School. In the same way, four-year candidates normally attend a Summer School in Greek between their first and second years in Cambridge.
Post A-level candidates are normally considered for an unconditional offer; low offers (2Es) are rare but not unheard of. Candidates will not normally be expected to take STEP or S-level papers. Candidates will be expected to achieve or have achieved good grades in any further AS levels taken in year 12 or year 13.
We are very happy to consider applications from those considering deferred entry, but would want to be sure that applicants had worked out plans for spending their year in a worthwhile way. Those deferring entry find it valuable to continue reading some Latin and/or Greek during their 'year out'. Advice will be given to successful candidates.
In general we feel that those re-applying for the Classics course would be best advised to apply to another College on the second application. We also recommend that candidates holding an offer from another good University should think very carefully before giving it up in order to pursue a re-application to Cambridge.
Mature students are admitted from time to time, and usually find that they are successful and happy in their course. If you wish to be considered as a mature applicant for Classics, you should be engaged on or have recently completed a course such as A-Level, Open University or an Access course. If you are in any doubt about your preparation for a university course, or your choice of College, you are advised to contact us to discuss your individual circumstances before making your application.
We encourage applicants from all types of school and College background and although the information about offers given above indicates a typical requirement, each candidate is looked at in the light of his or her individual circumstances.
College Prizes are awarded to those who excel in University exams, and there is an annual Classical essay prize competition; the Classics Faculty is able to provide financial support for those planning to visit Mediterranean lands in connection with their studies, and students can also apply for College travel grants. Classics students can apply for the hardship funds available from the College and/or the University.
About a fortnight before the interviews, we ask candidates to send us a copy of two recent essays on classical subjects (normally this just involves photocopying pieces of work written as part of their A-Level studies, including teachers' comments). At the same time we send candidates a passage from a Latin (or, where appropriate, a Greek) author, which we ask them to read and think about. (In the case of four-year candidates the passage is supplied in the form of an English translation). When candidates arrive in Cambridge they normally have two interviews at Magdalene, one with the Director of Studies in Classics and another Classicist, and another with two Fellows in other disciplines. The classical interview usually involves discussion of the essays and the passage, as well as more general questions about the candidate's studies so far and their interests in the field of Classics.
The Classics Faculty also organises a scheme whereby all candidates in the subject have an additional classical interview at a second College. This enables us to give the fullest possible consideration to applications. In addition to their interviews, candidates for the four-year course also take part in an assessed language exercise organized by the Classics Faculty.
What are we looking for? First, an enthusiastic interest in the classical world, but also the linguistic ability and commitment to the subject necessary to cope with the demands of learning (more) Latin and Greek and reading widely in both ancient languages.
Magdalene Classics graduates have in the past few years gone on to an impressively wide variety of careers, reflecting the wealth of different intellectual skills taught in the Classics course. Some have made direct use of their classical training, teaching the subject in schools or pursuing postgraduate research; others are now working in Accountancy, Advertising, the Church, the Civil Service, Computers, Entertainment, Journalism, the Law, Librarianship, Surveying...
January 2010
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