oxford classics help

i am currently unsure on what classical subject to apply for or whether to apply at all. i recently attended an oxford classics open day hoping to hear more about the classics course but was then introduced to the caah course. personally, caah seems like a better fit for me as i would not have to do greek but i can still choose to do latin. the only thing is caah is a lot harder course to get into and i don’t want to waste my chance if i do decide to apply. help?

Reply 1

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

If you haven't studied either classical language previously (and hence do Course II) you don't necessarily need to study both in the main classics course either, as I understand in mods you would only study one of the languages (and texts from both, albeit the language not being studied in translation only). For the final honour school in Course II I believe the second classical language is optional (I would guess it's a popular option but not necessarily an obligatory one?).

I wouldn't consider the admissions statistics for the courses, particularly as CAAH is a much smaller course and therefore success rates are going to be much more sensitive to just a couple more students applying each year (or not). Also the average statistics presented for the main classics course include both Course I and Course II variants - Course I (for students who have done Latin and/or Greek to A-level) as I recall have a much higher success rate (as far fewer students are qualified to apply in the first place) and I believe for Course II (for those without either classical language to A-level) success rates are not that different from CAAH or ancient and modern history (AMH) or the other joint schools.

Just pick the course that is the best fit for your interests. Are you interested in archaeology/history specifically or were you also interested in philosophy/literature/philology etc? You may of course also want to consider other joint courses too (e.g. AMH for a broader historical view, perhaps particularly relevant/interesting if you're interested in late antiquity/the Byzantine period; classics and AMES where you can combine classics with e.g. Egyptology or Assyriology for example which may have some breadth of content of interest for archaeologically inclined individuals along with a lot of language background in both areas; or as more literature focused courses like classics and English/modern languages).

Reply 2

Anonymous #1

Original post

by artful_lounger

If you haven't studied either classical language previously (and hence do Course II) you don't necessarily need to study both in the main classics course either, as I understand in mods you would only study one of the languages (and texts from both, albeit the language not being studied in translation only). For the final honour school in Course II I believe the second classical language is optional (I would guess it's a popular option but not necessarily an obligatory one?).
I wouldn't consider the admissions statistics for the courses, particularly as CAAH is a much smaller course and therefore success rates are going to be much more sensitive to just a couple more students applying each year (or not). Also the average statistics presented for the main classics course include both Course I and Course II variants - Course I (for students who have done Latin and/or Greek to A-level) as I recall have a much higher success rate (as far fewer students are qualified to apply in the first place) and I believe for Course II (for those without either classical language to A-level) success rates are not that different from CAAH or ancient and modern history (AMH) or the other joint schools.
Just pick the course that is the best fit for your interests. Are you interested in archaeology/history specifically or were you also interested in philosophy/literature/philology etc? You may of course also want to consider other joint courses too (e.g. AMH for a broader historical view, perhaps particularly relevant/interesting if you're interested in late antiquity/the Byzantine period; classics and AMES where you can combine classics with e.g. Egyptology or Assyriology for example which may have some breadth of content of interest for archaeologically inclined individuals along with a lot of language background in both areas; or as more literature focused courses like classics and English/modern languages).

i am studying latin a level meaning that i would have to do course ii and study greek. classical civilisations such as greece and rome are my main interests but i also find other ancient civilisations just as interesting so i am unsure.

Reply 3

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

Original post

by Anonymous

Ah in that case you'd be doing Course I and doing both languages yes.

What are your specific interests within the area though? The languages themselves? Literary or historical texts? Material and visual culture and archaeological evidence?

Think about this, which texts (and types of texts) you liked studying in A-level Latin (and any other subjects you're studying) and why. This may help guide your choice :smile:

Reply 4

Anonymous #2

You should apply for the course you feel passionate about and most want to do.

However, if you are doing Latin A Level and apply for CAAH, expect some robust questioning about why that course and not Classics given you have done the hard work of learning a language already (saying “I don’t want to learn Greek” is unlikely to go down well). You will need to convince them that you have real passion for the chosen course, and dispel any impression that you have chosen CAAH because you thought it was the easy bits of Classics (unfortunately some applicants do give that impression).

Reply 5

Parent27

I know this is an old thread now but it might be useful for future visitors. My daughter applied for CAAH and didn’t get asked anything about “why not a classical language?” even though she did A level Latin. They asked very few questions about her a levels or personal statement, in fact. Most of the questions were based around the pre reading. It wasn’t until her third interview she got asked anything related to her personal statement and even then they didn’t mention Latin.