Too similar?

I’d like to do classics at uni and am thinking about taking a level ancient history and also classical civ- is there any reason why I shouldn’t?

Also got a 4 in my gcse maths and all my other subjects were 8 and 9- would this hinder an oxbridge or similar Russell group application?

Reply 1

Sam1341

I would recommend resitting your maths.

Reply 2

elareare

Original post by Beckylang

I’d like to do classics at uni and am thinking about taking a level ancient history and also classical civ- is there any reason why I shouldn’t?
Also got a 4 in my gcse maths and all my other subjects were 8 and 9- would this hinder an oxbridge or similar Russell group application?

maybe do the maths again like previously stated, there's no reason not to sit those subjects together unless the uni states otherwise.

Reply 3

thegeek888

Original post by Beckylang

I’d like to do classics at uni and am thinking about taking a level ancient history and also classical civ- is there any reason why I shouldn’t?
Also got a 4 in my gcse maths and all my other subjects were 8 and 9- would this hinder an oxbridge or similar Russell group application?

@DataVenia would be able to answer this!!! 😧

Reply 4

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by Beckylang

Thanks for the tag, @thegeek888.

University are sometimes squeamish about subjects which are too similar (Biology and Human Biology is a classic combination where they'll often only consider one), but I'm not aware of any university which will wouldn't be happy with Ancient History and Classical Civilisation together - especially for Classics. Neither Oxford nor Cambridge impose any such restriction, nor do St. Andrews or Durham.

One thing you haven't mentioned is your third A level. Is it a language, by any chance? Perhaps even an ancient language? The reason that I ask is that Cambridge mandate A level Latin for their three-year Classics course (although not for their four-year version), St. Andrews mandate a foreign language, and Durham say, "selectors look for evidence of linguistic ability.". Oxford a little more vague with, "Either or both classical languages (Latin and Ancient Greek), Classical Civilisation, Ancient History or a modern language can be helpful to students in completing this course, although they are not required for admission." So if you can take a language as your third A level, it would certainly help.

I can't exclude the possibility that GCSE grade 4 would be an issue, and if you can stomach retaking it, that would probably be wise. However, none of the above mandate it for Classics. Neither do places like Manchester, Warwick or Bristol.