Accelerated Language Pathway
King’s is unique in the UK in offering an intensive Accelerated Language Pathway which allows students with no prior experience of learning a classical language to graduate after three years having achieved an advanced level in both classical languages (ancient Greek and Latin). Similar pathways at other UK Classics Departments take four years.
Who is this course for?
Students for whom the Accelerated Language Pathway is appropriate come from many different backgrounds. You may have studied modern languages at school. You may speak a language other than English at home – bilingualism is an advantage for learning other languages. You may have been good at maths at school, or taught yourself to code, or are especially musical. Every year we have first-year students who discover a real gift for Greek or Latin even though they have done little or no language work before.
How to take the Accelerated Language Pathway
Accelerated Language is an intensive pathway which requires a high level of personal motivation and commitment, but offers you the opportunity to reach an advanced level in both ancient languages from scratch in three years.
If you wish to follow this pathway, apply to King’s as normal for the BA Classics and the Ancient World degree programme. At King’s, you will be given individual guidance and support by the Language Co-ordinator. In your first year, your module choices will include ancient Greek or Latin for Beginners. If you do well in this module, in your second year you will continue with the first language and begin the other language. You will also attend two three-week intermediate language-learning courses at the King’s Summer School, one between your first and second year, and one between your second and third year. There is no extra fee for these summer courses for students on the pathway. This pathway will equip you for advanced study of classical literature in the original Greek and Latin.
Taster days, available to Year 12 and Year 13 students, can be booked on the University of London website.
King's Ancient Languages Summer School 2026
Students on the access pathway can apply to take this summer course for credit.
We offer two Intensive Courses in Ancient Greek and Latin. These courses are six weeks long, with the option of studying either the first three week session (for absolute beginners) or the second three week session (for students at intermediate level).
You may choose to study on-campus or online.
Session 1: Beginners’ Ancient Greek or Beginners' Latin: Monday 29 June - Friday 17 July 2026
Session 2: Intermediate Ancient Greek or Intermediate Latin: Monday 20 July - Friday 7 August 2026
Application Deadline: 31 May 2026
Who are these courses for?
These courses offer intensive training in Ancient Greek or Latin to those who have not previously had the opportunity of studying these languages. The courses aim to bring students with no knowledge of the languages to a level where they will be able to read simple texts in Ancient Greek or Latin. These sessions are ideal for:
- Those who intend to study for a Masters or Doctoral degree and wish to get ahead over the summer.
- Undergraduates and Postgraduates from any university- including King's students
- School students 16+
- Teachers
- Mature students
- Current Department of Classics Accelerated Language Pathway students at King's
- Anyone with an interest in the Hellenic or Roman world.
Applications
To find out more and apply for the Summer School - visit King's Language Centre.
London Summer School in Classics
London Summer School in Classics will be held in 2025.
For more information, click here.