History or classics a-level ????

hi so I’m going into a-levels next year and am undecided on whether I should take history or classics as one of my options. Classics would basically be studying texts like the odyssey and learning about ancient history, society, politics, religion etc.

Its just I think history sounds a lot better and is a lot more useful, and I do get pretty good grades, it’s just I find it hard to cope with the amount of content even at gcse and I really don’t like the a-level curriculum whereas I find the classics curriculum really interesting.

In addition, I want to do English lang+lit and religious studies, but I feel maybe combined with classics that would be such a useless trio? I’m also doing an epq as well as the three a-levels. Idk what to do because everyone is giving me different advice on what to take.

hi so I’m going into a-levels next year and am undecided on whether I should take history or classics as one of my options. Classics would basically be studying texts like the odyssey and learning about ancient history, society, politics, religion etc.

Its just I think history sounds a lot better and is a lot more useful, and I do get pretty good grades, it’s just I find it hard to cope with the amount of content even at gcse and I really don’t like the a-level curriculum whereas I find the classics curriculum really interesting.

In addition, I want to do English lang+lit and religious studies, but I feel maybe combined with classics that would be such a useless trio? I’m also doing an epq as well as the three a-levels. Idk what to do because everyone is giving me different advice on what to take.

I do classics and could not recommend it enough! I do ocr and if you want any more info on the specific modules or anything then let me know! I do philosophy with classics (kind of similar to RS) and majority of my class take english lit aswell- so it's not a rare combo !

Would you say classics essays are English lit like where you write based on your interpretations of the text and content with high level vocabulary (analysis focused) or is it more fact based, content heavy and unrewarding for higher ideas and phrases like history GCSE which if it is I doubt I’d like to take it.Also, when you revise classical civ is it focused around memory and recall on key info/dates using flash cards or do you instead explore ideas on the content you learn which is what I would prefer. Finally, does the course actually involve mythology and religion/creatures which is my main fascination although rest of classics interests me also, I’m just afraid that the essay writing and the exam of the subject doesn’t suit my style which is what history is( though I love learning about history it’s just the writing style at gcse that I despise heavily). It would be heartbreaking considering I have a passion for Classics

I didnt take history gcse so i cant compare the two. but classics arent so much your interpretation. your opinion is definitely needed as questions may be like “to what extent is Aeneas portrayed as a hero” for example. but you wouldnt write “i think” or “in my opinion” you would use specific reference from the book (the aeneid) and form your argument off that. i wouldnt say “fact based” more so looking and memorising key themes/ideas from the books, which is a lot easier than it sounds. For revision, you dont use key info/dates but it would be more so ideas and themes. Characterisation is a big one, so looking at the people from each book and describing them and using evidence from a part of the book to back it up. the course is mythology based- its looking at books which contain mythological themes and writing questions about them- so i look at the odyssey, the aeneid, and some smaller plays. I hated english gcse and going into this as an a level i was so worried about the essay aspect, but i love it and couldbt recommend it more, especially if you have a passion for classics already. hope this makes sense!! you can message me if you have any more questions

I love English lit gcse sm!! The essays I felt are more tailored to actual interesting analysis of characters,messages of the story and filled with interesting context. The characterisation you refer to is similar to English so I’m pretty surprised you hated it, also, do you memorise quotes in classics. I’ve also been wondering would you say the classics course is more literature focused or historical

its defo more literature than historical but you do need that historical context. its not so much quotes just examples, so you can say “in book 1 of the Odyssey, Athene travels to meet Telemachus in disguise” - thats no a quote but just what happens. you arent expected to memorise quotes at all just the storyline but in detail, you also arent allowed the book in the exam, with english a level youre allowed that. i dont know why i hated english lit so much at gcse i think i just hated all the writing, but i love the content of classics so much its worth it !