Classical Studies

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Where do many of the world’s central ideas come from? Delve into the roots of Western civilization and gain a deep understanding of ancient Greece and Rome — cultures that continue to shape our thinking and society today.

Discover the enduring thoughts of greats like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle by majoring in Classical Studies. Or major in Classics and take Greek and Latin courses so you master enough knowledge to read ancient texts in their original language. (Yes, it’s totally okay to Greek out over dead languages.)

Explore the many facets of antiquity: from history, religion, and philosophy to art, science, and technology.

Meanwhile, you’ll have lots of room to round out your education with courses in other subjects and with work experience through co-op. Or study overseas and place yourself at the heart of it all in Greece or Rome.

Once you’ve graduated, the broad thinking demanded by the program will serve you well in a range of careers, including law, policy, culture, education, and more. Carpe diem!

Choose from two majors

  • Classical Studies
  • Classics (includes learning Greek and Latin)
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What courses will you take in Classical Studies?

First-year courses

As an Arts student, you’ll choose your major at the end of first year. You’re encouraged to explore a second major in first year to discover potential new interests.

You will also take an Arts First course in either the fall or winter term of your first year. In this course, instead of going to a lecture hall, you and your classmates will work together to respond to an intriguing challenge. With only 25 students in this course, you might address topics such as The Science of Happiness, Are We Erasing History?, Games and Culture, and Writing About Poems and Songs.

You can choose to study Classical Studies through Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business.

Honours Arts

September to December

  • One course from
    • CLAS 100 – An Introduction to Classical Studies
    • CLAS 103 - Colossos: The Major Figures of Classical Antiquity
    • CLAS 104 – Classical Mythology
    • CLAS 105 – Introduction to Medieval Studies
  • Arts First Requirement or elective
  • Prospective major #2
  • Two electives

January to April

  • One course from
  • Arts First Requirement or elective
  • Prospective major #2
  • Two electives

This is a sample schedule. Courses or when a course is offered may change depending on availability. 

Honours Arts and Business

September to December

  • ARBUS 101 – Introduction to Business in North America
  • ECON 101 – Introduction to Microeconomics
  • Arts First Requirement or elective
  • Prospective major #2

Plus one course from

  • CLAS 100 – An Introduction to Classical Studies
  • CLAS 103 - Colossos: The Major Figures of Classical Antiquity
  • CLAS 104 – Classical Mythology
  • CLAS 105 – Introduction to Medieval Studies

January to April

  • ARBUS 102 – Accounting Information for Managers
  • ARBUS 202 – Professional and Business Ethics
  • Arts First Requirement or elective
  • Prospective major #2

Plus one course from

This is a sample schedule. Courses or when a course is offered may change depending on availability.

After first year

40% of the classes you’ll take will be Classical Studies courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo or fulfill additional requirements for your chosen entry program.

Sample upper-year courses

CLAS 202 – Love, Life, and Death in Rome
CLAS 325 – Greek and Roman Religion
CLAS 327 – Astrology and Magic
CLAS 384 – Science and Technology of Ancient Greece and Rome

Customize your degree

You can add additional areas of expertise by including one or more of the minors available to all Waterloo students. Popular choices include History and Peace and Conflict Studies.

What courses will you take in Classics?

First-year courses

As an Arts student, you’ll choose your major at the end of first year. You’re encouraged to explore a second major in first year to discover potential new interests.

You will also take an Arts First course in either the fall or winter term of your first year. In this course, instead of going to a lecture hall, you and your classmates will work together to respond to an intriguing challenge. With only 25 students in this course, you might address topics such as The Science of Happiness, Are We Erasing History?, Games and Culture, and Writing About Poems and Songs.

You can choose to study Classics through Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business.

Honours Arts

September to December

  • One course from
    • CLAS 100 – An Introduction to Classical Studies
    • CLAS 103 - Colossos: The Major Figures of Classical Antiquity
    • CLAS 104 – Classical Mythology
    • CLAS 105 – Introduction to Medieval Studies
  • One course from
    • LAT 101 - Introductory Latin 1
    • GRK 101 - Introductory Ancient Greek 1
  • Arts First Requirement or elective
  • Prospective major #2
  • One elective (if only taking one CLAS 100 course)

January to April

  • One course from
  • One course from
    • LAT 102 - Introductory Latin 2
    • GRK 102 - Introductory Ancient Greek 2
  • Arts First Requirement or elective
  • Prospective major #2
  • One elective

This is a sample schedule. Courses or when a course is offered may change depending on availability. 

Honours Arts and Business

September to December

  • ARBUS 101 – Introduction to Business in North America
  • ECON 101 – Introduction to Microeconomics
  • Arts First Requirement or elective
  • Prospective major #2
  • One course from
    • CLAS 100 – An Introduction to Classical Studies
    • CLAS 103 - Colossos: The Major Figures of Classical Antiquity
    • CLAS 104 – Classical Mythology
    • CLAS 105 – Introduction to Medieval Studies
  • One course from
    • LAT 101 - Introductory Latin 1
    • GRK 101 - Introductory Ancient Greek 1

January to April

  • ARBUS 102 – Accounting Information for Managers
  • ARBUS 202 – Professional and Business Ethics
  • Arts First Requirement or elective
  • Prospective major #2
  • One course from
  • One course from
    • LAT 102 - Introductory Latin 2
    • GRK 102 - Introductory Ancient Greek 2

This is a sample schedule. Courses or when a course is offered may change depending on availability.

After first year

40% of the classes you’ll take will be Classical Studies courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo or fulfill additional requirements for your chosen entry program.

Sample upper-year courses

CLAS 202 – Love, Life, and Death in Rome
CLAS 325 – Greek and Roman Religion
CLAS 327 – Astrology and Magic
CLAS 384 – Science and Technology of Ancient Greece and Rome

Customize your degree

You can add additional areas of expertise by including one or more of the minors available to all Waterloo students. Popular choices include History and Peace and Conflict Studies.

Faculty:
Faculty of Arts

Degree:
Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies or Classics

Available as a co-op program?
Yes

Available as a regular program?
Yes

Available as a minor?
Yes

Study overseas. The Acropolis is calling! Take advantage of study-abroad opportunities in the Mediterranean, or do an internship with the Canadian Institute in Greece.

Enjoy great discussions. Do more than just take notes. In our small classes, you’ll have lots of opportunity for debate and discussion.

Co-op = relevant paid work experience

By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can explore new career areas and types of employers as your career interests evolve.

Sample co-op job titles

  • Development assistant
  • Technical writer
  • Marketing and development intern
  • Media relations assistant
  • Web design and maintenance

Co-op work-study sequence

Starting in second year, you'll normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience. You can return to the same employer for a couple of work terms to gain greater knowledge and responsibility or work for different employers to get a broad range of experience.

If you choose to study Classical Studies through Arts and Business, your first work term will be halfway through second year (January - April 2027).

Year September to December (Fall) January to April (Winter) May to August (Spring)
First Study Study Off
Second Study Co-op Study
Third Co-op Study Co-op
Fourth Study Co-op Co-op
Fifth Study Study -

or after second year (May to August 2027) if you choose to study Classical Studies through Honours Arts.

Year September to December (Fall) January to April (Winter) May to August (Spring)
First Study Study Off
Second Study Study Co-op
Third Study Co-op Study
Fourth Co-op Study Co-op
Fifth Co-op Study -

Learn more about co-op → 

What can you do with a degree in Classical Studies?

Tuition fees

First-year tuition

Type of fees Tuition (8 months of school)
Domestic (Ontario residents) $9,000
Domestic (Out of province students) $9,000
International (visa students) $57,000
 
  • Estimated amounts listed include incidental fees. Fees based on 2024-25 tuition rates.
  • Visit our financing page to learn about scholarships, estimate your total expenses, and see how co-op can help pay for your education.

Admissions

Apply to Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business and choose Classical Studies as your major at the end of first year.

Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including

  • Any Grade 12 U English (minimum final grade of at least 70%)

Admission average: Low 80s (co-op and regular)

Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements for Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business.

Related programs

Medieval Studies

History

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Questions about courses, programs, requirements, careers?

Please contact Stavros Stavroulias, our Faculty of Arts recruitment co-ordinator who can answer any questions you have.