Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology, Trinity College Dublin

Requirements unclear

2 of 7, 5 open

Met: Diploma
Met: Subjects
Not yet clear: Grades
Not yet clear: Language
Not yet clear: Age
Not yet clear: Other
Not yet clear: Score

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Next deadline in 3 months

20 Jan 2027: Last day for the discounted (35 euro) CAO application

The programme

A four-year B.A. on the history, literature, art, archaeology and thought of the ancient world, with Greek and Latin that can be started from scratch. Pathways lead to Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology, or Classical Civilisation, as single or joint honours. Fourth year ends with a capstone dissertation; study abroad and a Columbia dual degree are possible.

Rank in latin and ancient greek
Where Trinity College Dublin ranks in world subject rankings. Lower is better. A subject ranking rates the university’s work in a subject across all its faculties, not one department or this programme, so every programme there in the subject shares it. Under each list, what it mostly rests on. The colour shows where the university stands among the other universities on this site, not among all universities in the world: green ahead of most, red behind most. The combined score averages those standings over the lists: 10 is ahead of all of them in every list, 1 behind all. So it compares only the universities on this site, and can change as more are added. Rankings mostly measure research, not teaching.
Sure — Stated in the university’s official information.
Sources
topuniversities.com · classics ancient history
51-150 … Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
timeshighereducation.com · arts and humanities
101–125 … Trinity College Dublin

Combinedamong those here

51-150QS 2026, Classics and Ancient Historyreputation

101–125THE 2026, Arts and Humanitiesresearch and teaching

Can you get in?

School diploma required
VWO (Dutch pre-university diploma)
Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.
Sources
tcd.ie · Netherlands
Trinity is delighted to accept students who have completed the below qualifications from the Netherlands: Recognised School Leaving Qualifications Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) (Gymnasium A/B and Atheneum A/B) diploma
www2.cao.ie
What qualifications are accepted? Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO (Gymnasium A/B and Atheneum A/B) diploma)
Netherlands … What qualifications are accepted? … Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO (Gymnasium A/B and Atheneum A/B) diploma)
For you, Met: Your VWO diploma counts.
Required school subjects
No specific subjects
Sure — Stated in the university’s official information.
Sources
tcd.ie · classics ancient history and archaeology
Leaving Certificate: H4 in either Greek, Latin or in another langage other than English
Admission Requirements Leaving Certificate: H4 in either Greek, Latin or in another langage other than English
tcd.ie · Netherlands
Minimum Entry Requirements 6 distinct recognised subjects which must include 3 subjects grade 8 and 3 subjects grade 6 in the VWO to include English, Mathematics and another language.
For you, Met: Nothing to meet.
Minimum subject grades
6 different subjects at 6 or higher, at least 3 of them at 8 or higher, including English, Mathematics and another language; Nederlands or frans or duits or spaans or latijn or grieks: at least 9
Sure — Stated in the university’s official information.
Sources
tcd.ie · Netherlands
Minimum Entry Requirements 6 distinct recognised subjects which must include 3 subjects grade 8 and 3 subjects grade 6 in the VWO to include English, Mathematics and another language.
Subject Grade Comparison: … H4 9
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Subject Grade Comparison: … H4 … 9
tcd.ie · undergraduate
The standard matriculation requirements are pass grades in English, Mathematics, a language other than English, and a full set of valid subjects for your examination system.
www2.cao.ie
If two versions of the same subject are presented, the average score will be included in the calculation.
tcd.ie · classics ancient history and archaeology
Leaving Certificate: H4 in either Greek, Latin or in another langage other than English
For you, Not yet clear: Enter your subjects and grades to check. No grade entered for nederlands or frans or duits or spaans or latijn or grieks.
Minimum overall grade
None
Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.
Sources
www2.cao.ie
The minimum eligibility criteria follow. Proof of English proficiency is required in all cases.
3 H5 required 6 distinct recognised subjects which must include 3 subjects grade 8 and 3 subjects grade 6 in the VWO
tcd.ie · Netherlands
Minimum Entry Requirements 6 distinct recognised subjects which must include 3 subjects grade 8 and 3 subjects grade 6 in the VWO to include English, Mathematics and another language.
tcd.ie · undergraduate
The standard matriculation requirements are pass grades in English, Mathematics, a language other than English, and a full set of valid subjects for your examination system.
Meet competitive standards for admission to the course
Language level required
English: VWO engels 8 or higher or an accepted language test
English: at least 8 for engels on your VWO list or IELTS Academic 6.5 or TOEFL iBT (scores before January 2026, 0-120 scale) 90 or TOEFL iBT (scores from January 2026, 1-6 scale) 4.5 or Cambridge English (C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency) 180 or PTE Academic 69 or Duolingo English Test 120
Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.
Sources
www2.cao.ie
The minimum acceptable level of English is 8 in the VWO or equivalent English Language competence (see page 9).
tcd.ie · classics ancient history and archaeology
Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements.
tcd.ie · english language requirements
IELTS Academic … Duolingo English Test … TOEFL iBT (Before January 2026) … TOEFL iBT (After January 2026) … Cambridge Advanced or Proficiency … PTE Academic (Pearson)
Band B (Standard entry) UG & PG Standard requirements 6.5 overall 6.0 in each band 120 overall 100 in each subscore 90 overall 21 in each section 4.5 overall 4.0 in each section 180 overall no score below 170 69 overall 59 in each section
For you, Not yet clear: English: enter your grade for engels.
Minimum age
Born before 15 January 2011 for 2027, going by the 2026 rule (born before 15 January 2010)
Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.
Source
tcd.ie · undergraduate
Applicants seeking admission in 2026 must have a date of birth before 15 January 2010 .
Applicants seeking admission in 2026 must have a date of birth before 15 January 2010.
For you, Not yet clear: Enter your birth year to check.
Extra steps
None
Fairly sure — The university does not say this in so many words, but it follows from its pages. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.
Sources
www2.cao.ie
Restricted courses normally require additional assessment procedures, for example, the submission of a portfolio, an oral assessment or interview, or a written assessment.
Restricted courses are identified in the handbook by the words "(Restricted - see page 3)" on the same line as the restricted course's title.
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TR021 Degree options in: Ancient History and Archaeology | Classical Civilisation | Classics
www2.cao.ie
# Test / Interview / Portfolio / Audition
TR021 Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology 467
Other requirements
English tests must meet all score, section and validity rules. Not required with VWO English 8 or higher.
Trinity Band B test minimums: IELTS Academic 6.0 in each band; Duolingo 100 in each subscore; TOEFL iBT (before January 2026) 21 in each section; TOEFL iBT (from January 2026) 4.0 in each section; Cambridge Advanced or Proficiency no score below 170; PTE Academic 59 in each section. Results come from a single sitting and were issued within two years before the start of the course. Not needed with a VWO English grade of 8 or higher.
Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.
Sources
tcd.ie · english language requirements
Band B (Standard entry) UG & PG Standard requirements 6.5 overall 6.0 in each band 120 overall 100 in each subscore 90 overall 21 in each section 4.5 overall 4.0 in each section 180 overall no score below 170 69 overall 59 in each section
For all proficiency tests, the results must be issued within two years prior to the start of your course.
www2.cao.ie
If the grade in English is below the requirement or the result is more than 2 years old, the applicant must also present evidence of equivalent competence in English Language in a recognised English language test, as specified below (note applicants are assessed on the results of a single sitting only):
The minimum acceptable level of English is 8 in the VWO or equivalent English Language competence (see page 9).
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Note applicants whose school-leaving examinations are more than two years old must present additional proof of English.
For you, Not yet clear: Check this yourself.
Applicants whose school-leaving examinations are more than two years old must present additional proof of English.
Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.
Sources
tcd.ie · english language requirements
Band B (Standard entry) UG & PG Standard requirements 6.5 overall 6.0 in each band 120 overall 100 in each subscore 90 overall 21 in each section 4.5 overall 4.0 in each section 180 overall no score below 170 69 overall 59 in each section
For all proficiency tests, the results must be issued within two years prior to the start of your course.
www2.cao.ie
If the grade in English is below the requirement or the result is more than 2 years old, the applicant must also present evidence of equivalent competence in English Language in a recognised English language test, as specified below (note applicants are assessed on the results of a single sitting only):
The minimum acceptable level of English is 8 in the VWO or equivalent English Language competence (see page 9).
1 more from this page
Note applicants whose school-leaving examinations are more than two years old must present additional proof of English.
For you, Good to know: Good to know: for information; it does not change whether you qualify.
Score needed to get in
467 CAO points or more: the 2026 cut-off, which changes every year
Applicants are ranked by CAO points; the highest get the places. The cut-off is the lowest score that got a place, so it moves with each year's applicants.
Earlier cut-offs: 495 in 2025 (CAO Round 1), 485 in 2024 (CAO Round 1), 468 in 2023 (CAO Round 1), 465 in 2022 (CAO Round 1).
How the score is worked out: Average of the best 6 distinct recognised subjects taken in a single sitting: 10 → 600, 9 → 595, 8 → 541, 7 → 374, 6 → 250, 5 → 200.
+25 for wiskunde B or wiskunde D at 6 or higher, if it is one of the subjects counted.
Two versions of one subject, such as wiskunde B and D, count once, at their average.
Grades are rounded to whole numbers first, as on the diploma.
The university gives only these rows and does not say how averages between them convert, so a score between two rows is a range.
Sure — Stated in the university’s official information.
Sources
www2.cao.ie
RND 1 RND 2 … TR021 Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology 467
www2.cao.ie
The indicative equivalence will be calculated, based on the average of the best 6 distinct recognised subjects taken in a single sitting as follows:
Table 2: Points Conversion Average Mark IPS 10 600 9 595 8 541 7 374 6 250 5 200
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If two versions of the same subject are presented, the average score will be included in the calculation.
Bonus points of 25 will be awarded for grade 6 or better in Advanced level Mathematics (i.e., B or D) where mathematics is one of the subjects counted for points.
Table 2: Points Conversion … Average Mark … IPS … 10 … 600 … 9 … 595 … 8 … 541 … 7 … 374 … 6 … 250 … 5 … 200
NB Sample grades only. The steps between points shown are not necessarily even as they are based on statistical comparisons.
For you, Not yet clear: Needs grades for at least 6 different subjects; you have entered 0.

Applying

Where you apply

Through CAO, with course code TR021.

Copies of the official VWO examination results, in the original language, showing dates, subjects and results
Certified English translation by a professional translation service, in addition to the copies of the documents themselves
Evidence of proficiency in English, if required

Dates

20 Jan 2027Last day for the discounted (35 euro) CAO application
Sure — Stated in the university’s official information for 2027.
Source
www2.cao.ie
Discounted application fee (35 fee) available up to 20 January at 5pm
Table 1.1 Application dates and fees … Early online application (discounted) … 20 January 2027 at 5pm
in 3 months
1 Feb 2027Normal CAO application closing date
Sure — Stated in the university’s official information for 2027.
Source
www2.cao.ie
Normal closing date for applications (50 fee) is 1 February at 5pm
Table 1.1 Application dates and fees … Normal online application … 1 February 2027 at 5pm
in 4 months
1 May 2027Late CAO application closing date (restrictions apply)
Sure — Stated in the university’s official information for 2027.
Source
www2.cao.ie
Closing date for late applications is 1 May at 5pm
Table 1.1 Application dates and fees … Late online application … 1 May 2027 at 5pm
in 7 months
1 Jul 2027CAO Change of Mind closes (last change to course choices)
Sure — Stated in the university’s official information for 2027.
Source
www2.cao.ie
Change of Mind Closes on 1 July at 5pm
Change of Mind Nil 1 July 2027 at 5pm
in 9 months

More about the programme

How places are given

Cap on places (numerus fixus)
23 a year
Sure — Stated in the university’s official information.
Source
tcd.ie · classics ancient history and archaeology
23 Places
Number of Places 23 Places
How applicants are picked
Ranked by school grades; the highest get the places
Eligible applicants are placed on a list in order of merit by CAO points (for VWO, converted from the best six subjects); offers go from the top down until places are filled, with random numbers breaking ties at the last place.
Sure — Stated in the university’s official information for 2027.
Source
www2.cao.ie
After the points have been calculated, applicants are placed on a list in order of merit for each course for which they are eligible.
If there are five applicants with an identical points score competing for one remaining place, random number selection applies
Past admission numbers
In 2026 the lowest score that got in was 467 (CAO Round 1).
In 2025 the lowest score that got in was 495 (CAO Round 1).
In 2024 the lowest score that got in was 485 (CAO Round 1).
In 2023 the lowest score that got in was 468 (CAO Round 1).
In 2022 the lowest score that got in was 465 (CAO Round 1).

Fairly sure — The university does not say this in so many words, but it follows from its pages. This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.
Source
www2.cao.ie
RND 1 RND 2 … TR021 Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology 467

Once you have started

First-year minimum to continue
Pass all 60 credits in the first year; if you do not, you can resit or repeat the year
Every course is worth a number of credits, which you earn by passing it; a full year is 60.
In the university’s words: The number of credits to pass a year is 60. A year is repeated in full (all modules and assessments); a student should not repeat any academic year more than once and may not repeat more than two years within a degree programme.
Sure — Stated in the university’s official information.
Source
tcd.ie
The number of credits to pass a year is 60 [this is predicated on all undergraduate programmes comprising 60 ECTS per year].
Students should not repeat any academic year more than once within a degree programme and may not repeat more than two academic years within a degree programme
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All modules and components of modules are compensatable.
10 ECTS may be accumulated at ‘Qualified Pass’ (i.e. marks between 35-39% where the pass mark is 40% or 45-49% where the pass mark is 50% for some professionally accredited courses).
Students should not repeat any academic year more than once within a degree programme and may not repeat more than two academic years within a degree programme [See Regulation 6].

After you graduate

Where graduates go
Graduates have gone into business, journalism, public relations, heritage and museum work, publishing, teaching and theatre, including at McKinsey and the Sunday Independent. Trinity also notes a long tradition of Classics graduates moving on to postgraduate study and academic careers in Europe and America.
What Trinity College Dublin says its graduates go on to do; not measured.

Fairly sure — The university does not say this in so many words, but it follows from its pages. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.
Source
tcd.ie · classics ancient history and archaeology
Recent graduates of the Classics Department have pursued careers in business, journalism, public relations, heritage and museum work, publishing, teaching and theatre
Trinity has a long tradition of Classics graduates who have continued on to postgraduate study and successful academic careers both in Europe and America.
Where graduates went (measured)
Not found
Sure — Not in these rankings.
Pages checked
hea.ie
public.tableau.com
public.tableau.com

Click an for the details and sources behind a fact. Its colour says how sure we are: sure, fairly sure, unsure.