Classics vs Classical Civilisation?!

Hi,

I’m currently in year 13 studying French, English Literature and Classical Civilisation, and am predicted AAA (as well as an A* in my EPQ). I will hopefully be starting university September 2020. I am interested in studying either BA classics of BA classical civilisation/classical studies. The universities that I am considering for my shortlist are Durham, Exeter, Nottingham, Birmingham, Warwick and Leeds. I am aware that for most classics degrees, either Greek or Latin is required at A level, however at Nottingham and Birmingham, this is not the case and providing I got the entry requirement grades, I would be able to get in with my A level subjects. I am considering choosing classics as from what I’ve heard, a degree in classics is much more ‘well thought of’ than classical civilisation or classical studies. I do enjoy studying languages, having achieved a grade 8 in GCSE French and German, and then continuing my French to A level. However, I fear that I will struggle compared to the other students on the classics course who would have most likely done at least Latin A level, if not some Greek as well, as the lectures told me that it was quite rare for people in my position to apply for straight classics. My post-degree plans are possibly going into teaching, into research, or possibly even doing a law conversion course. I am aware that the teaching of Ancient Greek in schools is dying out, however most people have told me that to be a teacher of classical civilisation or classics, I would most likely need to know a good amount of Latin and to possibly be able to teach that as well as civilisation. I am however aware that it is possible to choose beginners Latin modules within most classical civilisation modules. Please could anyone with any knowledge shine a light on any aspect that I have mentioned, whether this is the respectability of the two degrees, the likelihood that I would struggle with my little experience in ancient languages, or even any guidance in general? Thank you in advance!

I have no idea which is more well thought of, but why not learn some Latin now? There are plenty of textbooksand activity books available, and if you are decent at languages ready you should be able to pick up the basics pretty easily! Plus, if you already study Ckassical Civilisation at college/sixth form, I bet your teacher knows Latin and might be willing to help you or give you an after school lesson, that's what mine did. As for teaching after, if you type in Classics teaching jobs, they all require Latin. Take the degree that interests you most, but if you want to teach classics, you will more than likely need Latin, so you can either try and learn it now or take modules at university.

Have you considered the University of Edinburgh? You could do a Classics degree and they let you take both languages from beginner level. https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate/degrees/index.php?action=programme&code=Q800

Thank you, that is a very good idea, my Classical Civilisation teacher only teaches up to year 9 Latin I think, but there is also a Latin and Greek teacher at my school so I might go and ask her if she could give me some pointers! Or I might also try to learn some online or on an app. Okay that’s interesting, thank you! So do you/did you study classics at university?

Hi,

I’m currently in year 13 studying French, English Literature and Classical Civilisation, and am predicted AAA (as well as an A* in my EPQ). I will hopefully be starting university September 2020. I am interested in studying either BA classics of BA classical civilisation/classical studies. The universities that I am considering for my shortlist are Durham, Exeter, Nottingham, Birmingham, Warwick and Leeds. I am aware that for most classics degrees, either Greek or Latin is required at A level, however at Nottingham and Birmingham, this is not the case and providing I got the entry requirement grades, I would be able to get in with my A level subjects. I am considering choosing classics as from what I’ve heard, a degree in classics is much more ‘well thought of’ than classical civilisation or classical studies. I do enjoy studying languages, having achieved a grade 8 in GCSE French and German, and then continuing my French to A level. However, I fear that I will struggle compared to the other students on the classics course who would have most likely done at least Latin A level, if not some Greek as well, as the lectures told me that it was quite rare for people in my position to apply for straight classics. My post-degree plans are possibly going into teaching, into research, or possibly even doing a law conversion course. I am aware that the teaching of Ancient Greek in schools is dying out, however most people have told me that to be a teacher of classical civilisation or classics, I would most likely need to know a good amount of Latin and to possibly be able to teach that as well as civilisation. I am however aware that it is possible to choose beginners Latin modules within most classical civilisation modules. Please could anyone with any knowledge shine a light on any aspect that I have mentioned, whether this is the respectability of the two degrees, the likelihood that I would struggle with my little experience in ancient languages, or even any guidance in general? Thank you in advance!

Hi,

I’m currently in year 13 studying French, English Literature and Classical Civilisation, and am predicted AAA (as well as an A* in my EPQ). I will hopefully be starting university September 2020. I am interested in studying either BA classics of BA classical civilisation/classical studies. The universities that I am considering for my shortlist are Durham, Exeter, Nottingham, Birmingham, Warwick and Leeds. I am aware that for most classics degrees, either Greek or Latin is required at A level, however at Nottingham and Birmingham, this is not the case and providing I got the entry requirement grades, I would be able to get in with my A level subjects. I am considering choosing classics as from what I’ve heard, a degree in classics is much more ‘well thought of’ than classical civilisation or classical studies. I do enjoy studying languages, having achieved a grade 8 in GCSE French and German, and then continuing my French to A level. However, I fear that I will struggle compared to the other students on the classics course who would have most likely done at least Latin A level, if not some Greek as well, as the lectures told me that it was quite rare for people in my position to apply for straight classics. My post-degree plans are possibly going into teaching, into research, or possibly even doing a law conversion course. I am aware that the teaching of Ancient Greek in schools is dying out, however most people have told me that to be a teacher of classical civilisation or classics, I would most likely need to know a good amount of Latin and to possibly be able to teach that as well as civilisation. I am however aware that it is possible to choose beginners Latin modules within most classical civilisation modules. Please could anyone with any knowledge shine a light on any aspect that I have mentioned, whether this is the respectability of the two degrees, the likelihood that I would struggle with my little experience in ancient languages, or even any guidance in general? Thank you in advance!