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Minor

Highlights of the Ancient World

In this minor, Classical Antiquity and its impact on later cultures take centre stage. You will study various aspects of the ancient world in relation to each other, such as Classical works of art and literature, ancient religion and the notion of Greece as the cradle of Western civilisation.

In the minor Highlights of the Ancient World, Antiquity takes centre stage as you explore the art, literature, religion, and ideas of the ancient Near East, Greece and Rome — and their lasting influence on later societies. You will connect different aspects of the ancient world, from iconic works of art to powerful myths and the concept of antiquity as the cradle of Western civilisation. Along the way, you will uncover stories of cultural exchange, adaptation, and transformation, while developing the skills to analyse cultural and historical questions from an interdisciplinary perspective using both material objects and written sources.

This minor is offered by the Faculty of Humanities. The faculty’s minors consist of 30 ECTS credits and earn you a second qualification that will be listed on the transcript accompanying your degree certificate. 

Study schedule

COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • The Classical Canon I: The Heritage of Antiquity
    6
  • The Decline and Fall of Rome
    6
  • Religion in Antiquity
    6
  • Restricted-choice electives
    6

    You may choose between 'Classical Mythology' and 'Greece. Cradle of Civilization?'.

  • Restricted-choice electives
    6

    You may choose between 'Classics Beyond Antiquity' and 'Highlights uit de Griekse en Latijnse literatuur'.

Compulsory course
Elective
UvA Course Catalogue: Minor Highlights of the Ancient World

Related Master's programmes

This minor may serve as a good preparation for academic Bachelor’s students who want to apply for admission to a Master's in Classics and Ancient Civilizations; Heritage, Memory and Archaeology (Research Master's); or the one-year Master's in Archaeology. Always check the entry requirements on the Application & admission page of the Master’s programme you are interested in.

Entry requirements

This minor is open for application to students who have obtained an academic first-year diploma or a positive Binding Study Advice from an academic Bachelor's programme. 

The minor is also open for application to students from a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (HBO) who have completed their propaedeutic year. If you are an HBO student and if you are looking to do a Master's programme at the UvA, please check out our pre-Master's programmes, as completing a minor is not enough to grant you access to Master’s programmes. 

Registration and placement

You can register for a minor in the Academic year 2026-2027 from 1 April to 6 May 2026.

Application steps More minors in Humanities

This minor has a limited number of places available. If there are more applications than available places, a lottery will be held. The timing of your application within the specified period will not affect your chances of being placed.

Are you not a UvA student? Please check here for which Bachelor's programme you need to register at the UvA as an elective course student.

Facts & Figures
Credits
30 ECTS,
Language of instruction
English
Starts in
September
Location
University Quarter