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Classics degree at Oxbridge- HELP

Hi,
So I'm thinking about doing History, Classical Civ, Philosophy and either Spanish or Drama and Theatre studies (I'd enjoy Drama way more). I was wondering if these options sound good, considering I'm aiming for a Classica degree at Oxbridge? Would that get me there or would I have to do more/other 'facilitating' subjects?
Original post by viki1917
Hi,
So I'm thinking about doing History, Classical Civ, Philosophy and either Spanish or Drama and Theatre studies (I'd enjoy Drama way more). I was wondering if these options sound good, considering I'm aiming for a Classica degree at Oxbridge? Would that get me there or would I have to do more/other 'facilitating' subjects?

Facilitating subjects are really no longer a thing that unis use to filter applicants.

However, History and Spanish are both facilitating subjects anyway, so I'm not sure what your concern is? That said, you should just pick the A-levels you think you will enjoy and do well in.
As above, facilitating subjects was a concept dumped by RG Unis over 2 years ago : https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/may/23/russell-group-scraps-preferred-a-levels-list-after-arts-subjects-hit

Marketing legislation now requires all Unis to be totally up front and honest about their entry requirements - what you see on the course page on the Uni website is what they want. There are no secrets or information 'that only some people know'.
The only thing that might be a benefit in doing Spanish is demonstrating an ability to learn languages, considering the fact you will have to learn Latin/Greek from scratch and intensively. It's fine not to have those languages specifically but it might be something in your favour.
Reply 4
Original post by SarcAndSpark
Facilitating subjects are really no longer a thing that unis use to filter applicants.

However, History and Spanish are both facilitating subjects anyway, so I'm not sure what your concern is? That said, you should just pick the A-levels you think you will enjoy and do well in.

My concern is that doing Spanish alongside 3 essay based (heavily) subjects might be a little bit too much for me, HOWEVER taking Drama might be wasting that fourth A-Level maybe? Or is that something I should do anyway?
Original post by viki1917
My concern is that doing Spanish alongside 3 essay based (heavily) subjects might be a little bit too much for me, HOWEVER taking Drama might be wasting that fourth A-Level maybe? Or is that something I should do anyway?

I don't think it's a waste if it's something you want to do.

Is there a reason you're planning on 4 A-levels?
Reply 6
Original post by SarcAndSpark
I don't think it's a waste if it's something you want to do.

Is there a reason you're planning on 4 A-levels?

No other reason except that I'd enjoy it. However, if I choose Spanish, it gives me a good language background, seen as I wish to study both Latin and Greek at Uni for Classics and don't have the opportunity to do so earlier on.
Reply 7
Original post by McGinger
As above, facilitating subjects was a concept dumped by RG Unis over 2 years ago : https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/may/23/russell-group-scraps-preferred-a-levels-list-after-arts-subjects-hit

Marketing legislation now requires all Unis to be totally up front and honest about their entry requirements - what you see on the course page on the Uni website is what they want. There are no secrets or information 'that only some people know'.

I didn't know this due to so many people constantly telling me to pick facilliating subjects, even my school! Thank you for this :smile:
Reply 8
Original post by Paralove
The only thing that might be a benefit in doing Spanish is demonstrating an ability to learn languages, considering the fact you will have to learn Latin/Greek from scratch and intensively. It's fine not to have those languages specifically but it might be something in your favour.

If I could, I definitely would, however I wasn't offered the chance at GCSE so now I cannot do it at A Level which really sucks, and also the reason im considering Spanish
Original post by viki1917
If I could, I definitely would, however I wasn't offered the chance at GCSE so now I cannot do it at A Level which really sucks, and also the reason im considering Spanish

Yea and that's really normal do dw about that. Spanish is a wonderful language, I picked it up from scratch at uni (Cambridge actually) and specialised in it in the end having only done French before. It opens up so so much and it really is a lot easier picking up further languages once you've got one under your belt, not least for figuring out your preferred learning style with it.

If you took it and actually really enjoyed it, you can combine MML and Classics at Cambridge iirc. I think you would have to do Greek from scratch so no Latin, but it's def previously been an option.
Reply 10
Original post by Paralove
Yea and that's really normal do dw about that. Spanish is a wonderful language, I picked it up from scratch at uni (Cambridge actually) and specialised in it in the end having only done French before. It opens up so so much and it really is a lot easier picking up further languages once you've got one under your belt, not least for figuring out your preferred learning style with it.

If you took it and actually really enjoyed it, you can combine MML and Classics at Cambridge iirc. I think you would have to do Greek from scratch so no Latin, but it's def previously been an option.

I think another thing with me is, since English is my second language, Bulgarian my first, I somehow find it harder to get on board with more and more languages, definitely not impossible but harder than I probably should. I may genuinely enjoy Spanish I'm sure of that but due to not wishing to overwhelm myself I believe I should do drama, and perhaps outside of class go to extracurricular activities and even completely out of school (I'm aiming for Hills Road Sixth Form College) to do with Latin and/or Greek. This way, I'll do what I enjoy and will get a kickstart to Uni course perhaps :smile:
Original post by viki1917
I think another thing with me is, since English is my second language, Bulgarian my first, I somehow find it harder to get on board with more and more languages, definitely not impossible but harder than I probably should. I may genuinely enjoy Spanish I'm sure of that but due to not wishing to overwhelm myself I believe I should do drama, and perhaps outside of class go to extracurricular activities and even completely out of school (I'm aiming for Hills Road Sixth Form College) to do with Latin and/or Greek. This way, I'll do what I enjoy and will get a kickstart to Uni course perhaps :smile:

That's fair! And yes, if you're thinking classics then reading around and doing stuff outside school that's less intensive will definitely be good for uni prep/subject exploration. I live in Cambridge still actually - Hills do adult evening classes including Latin (I've been looking!) which could be a place to start, or look at the courses at the Cambridge uni language centre as well. ££ obviously for either of those so might not be an option, but just in case!

You should go check out the little classics museum on Sidgwick site as well and keep an eye out for any outreach events or programmes that the faculty run - their stuff is pretty good and if you'll be in the area/it's easy enough to get to them defs go for them. :smile:
Don't hold me to this but I was under the impression you need an ancient language (Latin/Greek)? Our head boy is going to Oxford for classics so I'm just going by that.

Anyway, I'd just have a look on their website and go by the requirements.
(edited 2 years ago)
Reply 13
Original post by Paralove
That's fair! And yes, if you're thinking classics then reading around and doing stuff outside school that's less intensive will definitely be good for uni prep/subject exploration. I live in Cambridge still actually - Hills do adult evening classes including Latin (I've been looking!) which could be a place to start, or look at the courses at the Cambridge uni language centre as well. ££ obviously for either of those so might not be an option, but just in case!

You should go check out the little classics museum on Sidgwick site as well and keep an eye out for any outreach events or programmes that the faculty run - their stuff is pretty good and if you'll be in the area/it's easy enough to get to them defs go for them. :smile:

That's something I'll definitely want to do ahah except a problem is I live around an hour with the car away from Cambridge, meaning I'd have to move if I do end up getting accepted at Hills, and I know its a large stretch but I promise, I've looked at every godforsaken state school with high achievements and SO little offer exactly what I want to do it's scary, especially knowing none of those are ANYWHERE near me (Hertfordshire ;-; ) So when I say I'm willing to move to there I'm not joking, even if it is sort of expensive ahah.
Original post by ashtolga23
Don't hold me to this but I was under the impression you need an ancient language (Latin/Greek)? Our head boy is going to Oxford for classics so I'm just going by that.

Anyway, I'd just have a look on their website and go by the requirements.


Both Oxford and Cambridge offer options for people without the classical language(s) beforehand. At Cambridge this is a prelim year where you study Latin intensively (making the course 4 years long), and Greek is normally picked up from scratch in first year for most anyway. At Oxford there are two versions of the course (both 4 years), Course I and Course II; Course II is for those with no prior study of the languages and they study one of the two languages intensively, and then have the option to pick up the second in third and fourth year.

It's quite common now for classics courses in general to have alternate formats for those without the classical languages because they are so uncommon outside of private schools. Usually this is either a parallel classical civilisation/studies course (which may allow students who do well in the language(s) to join the main classics degree e.g. at KCL), or allowing them to study the language(s) from scratch in various ways (e.g. Oxford, Cambridge, Bristol).
Reply 15
Original post by ashtolga23
Don't hold me to this but I was under the impression you need an ancient language (Latin/Greek)? Our head boy is going to Oxford for classics so I'm just going by that.

Anyway, I'd just have a look on their website and go by the requirements.

You don't need to actually, it benefits you but you can definitely do the course by starting both languages from scratch at the 4 year course, studying the languages doesnt hinder or increase your chances at being accepted, but it does show your dedication

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