What a levels should I do for classical civilisation at uni
at the moment my options are: maths, chemistry, classical civilisation and biology. I do really like both stem and classics and do better at stem subjects generally but I'm wondering if I should do history instead of biology (I definitely want to do maths and chemistry). there's also a chance that ill want to do a stem subject at uni I am good at history and people say another essay subject is better but I find it a lot harder than other subjects and less interesting, but if its really worth it I will swap. I also feel a bit iffy about biology and even wonder if I should switch it to physics ( basically I'm incredibly indecisive)also I could do an epq about classics and if I did that then could I keep my current subjects as epq is basically an essay?
Hiya,
Unless you're doing AS levels or your school say you have to, I would recommend not doing 4 subjects as its not worth it and Uni's only require 3 grades in the end. From what you've said, I would suggest doing Maths, Chem and Classics, and look into an EPQ in a classics (or history) area, IF you feel you would benefit with the essay practice etc from doing this (also Unis will care more about an EPQ than a fourth A level).
Hope this helps
Unless you're doing AS levels or your school say you have to, I would recommend not doing 4 subjects as its not worth it and Uni's only require 3 grades in the end. From what you've said, I would suggest doing Maths, Chem and Classics, and look into an EPQ in a classics (or history) area, IF you feel you would benefit with the essay practice etc from doing this (also Unis will care more about an EPQ than a fourth A level).
Hope this helps
Have a look at the stated entry requirements for Clasical Studies at a range of different Unis :
Bristol - http://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/2023/classical-studies/
Manchester - https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2023/00183/ba-classical-studies/
Reading - https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/study/Subject-area/classics-ug/ba-classical-studies
As you can see the entry requirements are flexible, you don't need history specufically and often its just an essay-based subject that is required.
This means that showing your interest in Classical Studies in your PS will be important - a useful list of extra reading etc from Cambridge here (useful for all Unis) - https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/super-curricular_suggestions_2.pdf
BBC 'In Our Time' podcasts will be useful - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2Dw1c7rxs6DmyK0pMRwpMq1/archive - look at the bottom of the page for 'by era'.
A mix of A level subejcts is useful if you are not sure about Classical Studies or STEM for Uni.
Unless you have the option to drop one subject early on, there is no need ti take 4 A levels - no UK Uni wants more than 3 and you could compromise all your grades vt attempting 4 and getting it wrong. Drop Biology?
Bristol - http://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/2023/classical-studies/
Manchester - https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2023/00183/ba-classical-studies/
Reading - https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/study/Subject-area/classics-ug/ba-classical-studies
As you can see the entry requirements are flexible, you don't need history specufically and often its just an essay-based subject that is required.
This means that showing your interest in Classical Studies in your PS will be important - a useful list of extra reading etc from Cambridge here (useful for all Unis) - https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/super-curricular_suggestions_2.pdf
BBC 'In Our Time' podcasts will be useful - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2Dw1c7rxs6DmyK0pMRwpMq1/archive - look at the bottom of the page for 'by era'.
A mix of A level subejcts is useful if you are not sure about Classical Studies or STEM for Uni.
Unless you have the option to drop one subject early on, there is no need ti take 4 A levels - no UK Uni wants more than 3 and you could compromise all your grades vt attempting 4 and getting it wrong. Drop Biology?
Your subjects are fine but you shouldn't really do 4 A-levels unless your school requires it and you'll be dropping one after year 12 anyway.
The best preparation would be the Classical languages themselves, followed by any other ancient language, followed by any modern language, in terms of studying the classical languages themselves in a degree.
For the rest of what constitutes "classics", the best preparation would be humanities subjects (particularly English literature as it's almost inevitable you'll do some literary analysis unless you do a purely classical archaeology/ancient history based course), then everything else. But the "everything else" is still fairly useful itself - the logical structures and approaches in analytical subjects like maths and the sciences is still useful in paralleling the formal structures of the grammar of the ancient languages.
Ultimately having an essay based subject directly relevant to the course and then other traditionally academic subjects will be perfectly fine, which is what you are planning to take. If you think you'll do better in biology (or physics) than history, whether due to aptitude or interest, then stick with that
The best preparation would be the Classical languages themselves, followed by any other ancient language, followed by any modern language, in terms of studying the classical languages themselves in a degree.
For the rest of what constitutes "classics", the best preparation would be humanities subjects (particularly English literature as it's almost inevitable you'll do some literary analysis unless you do a purely classical archaeology/ancient history based course), then everything else. But the "everything else" is still fairly useful itself - the logical structures and approaches in analytical subjects like maths and the sciences is still useful in paralleling the formal structures of the grammar of the ancient languages.
Ultimately having an essay based subject directly relevant to the course and then other traditionally academic subjects will be perfectly fine, which is what you are planning to take. If you think you'll do better in biology (or physics) than history, whether due to aptitude or interest, then stick with that
Original post by artful_lounger
The best preparation would be the Classical languages themselves, followed by any other ancient language, followed by any modern language, in terms of studying the classical languages themselves in a degree.
Only 'Classics' requires languages, 'Classical Studies' does not.
Original post by McGinger
Only 'Classics' requires languages, 'Classical Studies' does not.
I am aware that they are not required but they are standard options on the degree and students will be strongly encouraged to take them where available. So it's still very useful background.
Also more generally for all of classical studies (languages and otherwise), French and German are the standard languages of scholarship and much secondary literature is written in one or the other. Although not indispensable at undergraduate level, it's still useful background if you have it!
Original post by artful_lounger
I am aware that they are not required but they are standard options on the degree and students will be strongly encouraged to take them where available. So it's still very useful background.
Also more generally for all of classical studies (languages and otherwise), French and German are the standard languages of scholarship and much secondary literature is written in one or the other. Although not indispensable at undergraduate level, it's still useful background if you have it!
Also more generally for all of classical studies (languages and otherwise), French and German are the standard languages of scholarship and much secondary literature is written in one or the other. Although not indispensable at undergraduate level, it's still useful background if you have it!
ahhh yeah German was one of my dream a levels but it clashed with chemistry, and I keep seeing many things saying its so good to take. I have a 9 in gcse and will continue learning it as a club- do u think uni's will be happy enough with that?
yeahh I might drop one of them at Christmas depending on how well I'm doing and I think I will do an epq either in classics or ancient Japan
Original post by tash_c1ark
Hiya,
Unless you're doing AS levels or your school say you have to, I would recommend not doing 4 subjects as its not worth it and Uni's only require 3 grades in the end. From what you've said, I would suggest doing Maths, Chem and Classics, and look into an EPQ in a classics (or history) area, IF you feel you would benefit with the essay practice etc from doing this (also Unis will care more about an EPQ than a fourth A level).
Hope this helps
Unless you're doing AS levels or your school say you have to, I would recommend not doing 4 subjects as its not worth it and Uni's only require 3 grades in the end. From what you've said, I would suggest doing Maths, Chem and Classics, and look into an EPQ in a classics (or history) area, IF you feel you would benefit with the essay practice etc from doing this (also Unis will care more about an EPQ than a fourth A level).
Hope this helps
thank you so much for all the links- super useful . I think I might drop bio (depending on my grades)
. I think I might drop bio (depending on my grades)Original post by McGinger
Have a look at the stated entry requirements for Clasical Studies at a range of different Unis :
Bristol - http://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/2023/classical-studies/
Manchester - https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2023/00183/ba-classical-studies/
Reading - https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/study/Subject-area/classics-ug/ba-classical-studies
As you can see the entry requirements are flexible, you don't need history specufically and often its just an essay-based subject that is required.
This means that showing your interest in Classical Studies in your PS will be important - a useful list of extra reading etc from Cambridge here (useful for all Unis) - https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/super-curricular_suggestions_2.pdf
BBC 'In Our Time' podcasts will be useful - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2Dw1c7rxs6DmyK0pMRwpMq1/archive - look at the bottom of the page for 'by era'.
A mix of A level subejcts is useful if you are not sure about Classical Studies or STEM for Uni.
Unless you have the option to drop one subject early on, there is no need ti take 4 A levels - no UK Uni wants more than 3 and you could compromise all your grades vt attempting 4 and getting it wrong. Drop Biology?
Bristol - http://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/2023/classical-studies/
Manchester - https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2023/00183/ba-classical-studies/
Reading - https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/study/Subject-area/classics-ug/ba-classical-studies
As you can see the entry requirements are flexible, you don't need history specufically and often its just an essay-based subject that is required.
This means that showing your interest in Classical Studies in your PS will be important - a useful list of extra reading etc from Cambridge here (useful for all Unis) - https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/super-curricular_suggestions_2.pdf
BBC 'In Our Time' podcasts will be useful - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2Dw1c7rxs6DmyK0pMRwpMq1/archive - look at the bottom of the page for 'by era'.
A mix of A level subejcts is useful if you are not sure about Classical Studies or STEM for Uni.
Unless you have the option to drop one subject early on, there is no need ti take 4 A levels - no UK Uni wants more than 3 and you could compromise all your grades vt attempting 4 and getting it wrong. Drop Biology?
Original post by Decisions224
ahhh yeah German was one of my dream a levels but it clashed with chemistry, and I keep seeing many things saying its so good to take. I have a 9 in gcse and will continue learning it as a club- do u think uni's will be happy enough with that?
Again, it's not a requirement, just useful background. Definitely worth developing your reading skills at least - you'll probably find a lot of interesting papers and books you can read during your course that may provide interesting references for essays you'll write at that point
I think aside from it's use as a language of secondary literature, engaging in language learning in any way will be see positively so sounds like a good idea!
Original post by Decisions224
at the moment my options are: maths, chemistry, classical civilisation and biology. I do really like both stem and classics and do better at stem subjects generally but I'm wondering if I should do history instead of biology (I definitely want to do maths and chemistry). there's also a chance that ill want to do a stem subject at uni I am good at history and people say another essay subject is better but I find it a lot harder than other subjects and less interesting, but if its really worth it I will swap. I also feel a bit iffy about biology and even wonder if I should switch it to physics ( basically I'm incredibly indecisive)also I could do an epq about classics and if I did that then could I keep my current subjects as epq is basically an essay?
In case anyone was wondering: I now do maths, chem, classics, and psychology and EPQ. am no longer such a fan of classics and might drop it ahah. Its interesting how easily I change :P
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