Graduates from the Department of Classics share the diverse pathways they have taken since leaving King's.
Peter Swallow MP
"I was at King’s studying a PhD in Classics between 2016 and 2020. My thesis was on the long-nineteenth century reception of Aristophanic comedy.
As a Member of Parliament, I use the analytical skills I honed at King’s during my PhD every single day. Classics for me has always been the study of what makes us human – and the lessons I learnt from the ancient Greeks and Romans have shaped my politics and interest in public policy."
Camilla Rubino
"I completed my MA in Classical Art and Archaeology at King’s College London in December 2020. What I loved most about my time studying Archaeology at King’s was the vibrant and passionate environment, the engaging seminar discussions, the enthusiasm of my peers, and the constant support and inspiration from lecturers.
I graduated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when opportunities in the cultural sector were particularly limited, especially as someone who had recently moved to London. I decided to begin my career at King’s as a Campus Ambassador on a temporary contract, uncertain about what the future might hold. Motivated by my interest in supporting students and working closely with academics, I applied for a Programme Officer role, which opened the door to my current position as a Senior Assessment Officer in the Bioscience department. Today, I support students behind the scenes throughout the assessment process and work directly with them to ensure their academic journey runs as smoothly as possible. Having experienced exceptional support as a student myself, I am proud to now provide that same level of care and guidance.
Studying Classics is an experience that expands the way you see the world and deepens your understanding of people and cultures. It encourages curiosity, empathy, open-minded thinking, and builds a set of skills and ways of thinking that stay with you long after your degree. The skills you develop are not limited to one path; they can lead to many different careers and give you the confidence to explore opportunities you may not have imagined at the start. It gives you a strong foundation to grow and succeed in any field you choose."
Sabrina Mahfouz, Writer
"Studying Classics at King’s allowed me to get involved in the annual Greek Play – an Ancient Greek play performed in Ancient Greek. We did Hippolytus and though I was only part of the chorus, it was instrumental in giving me the confidence to go on stage in challenging circumstances, very helpful in my eventual career as a writer and performer! The literature element of the course has been hugely influential in the theatre work, poetry, librettos and fiction I’ve written and currently I’m working on a new translation of Prometheus Bound – which will feature fire artists, of course. Being in the capital city allowed me to experience the most contemporary theatre and literature events around whilst simultaneously studying and analysing some of the oldest."
George Ellis, Financial Analyst
"I graduated from King’s in 2014, and have worked in Finance since. Currently I am the Group Financial Analyst for a luxury hotel chain, and prior to this I worked for an American Hedge Fund. I find my job very rewarding, as it involves a great mixture of high-level and theoretical analysis balanced alongside delivering concrete solutions to real stakeholders.
During my time at King’s I was elected President of the Classics Society. In addition to being a highly enjoyable role, this experience was an excellent touchstone in job applications, demonstrating an entrepreneurial attitude and an interest in refining the strategy underpinning an organisation. My degree itself was also viewed favourably by employers as it shows versatility, academic rigour, and an analytical skillset. I would strongly advocate keeping an ambitious and open mind when applying for graduate jobs, as a Classics-related degree leaves almost all routes open."
Anastasia Christou, Teacher
Studying Classics at King’s inspired Alumna Anastasia Christou to champion the subject in Hong Kong, where learning classical languages, notably Ancient Greek and Latin, is rare.Anastasia graduated with a first-class honours degree in Ancient History in 2008 and a Classics PGCE in 2010, and has since gone on to lead and expand Classics departments and programmes at Secondary Schools in London and Hong Kong.
“The expertise and enthusiasm of my lecturers at King’s spurred on my passion for Classics; to the extent that I wanted to pursue a profession that would allow me to keep learning the subject, but also one that would enable me to inspire and educate the next generation to appreciate the legacy of the Ancient Greeks and Romans and to realise that classical languages are immortal not dead!
“The skills that I developed during my undergraduate degree have also helped me during my professional adult life, such as conducting academic research; citing and referencing; extensive writing; working towards deadlines; time management; and team work.”