Which A levels should I do to get into a classics course at a top university?

1

I very much want to study classics at uni however as I don’t do either Ancient Greek or Latin GCSE I can’t do either at A level. I’m going to do Ancient Greek GCSE next year alongside classical civilisation and English lit A level. For my third option I can’t decide between psychology or art history — I think I would do well in both and I know art history would work well with classical civilisation but is it considered too much of a soft subject? I hear psychology is taken more seriously by unis but I don’t know if it would be better to do entirely humanities A levels if I’m applying for classics. I also want to know if I even have a chance at getting in to places like oxbridge or Durham if I don’t have any ancient languages A levels, especially as my school do offer them so I assume this will be contextualised.

Reply 1

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

21

There's no such thing as "soft subjects". Unis are very transparent about what they do or don't accept. History of art would be very relevant especially if you are interested in the visual and material culture of the classical world and more generally the reception of the classical world.

Reply 2

DurhamRep Lacey

Official Rep

7

Original post

by laratspook

I very much want to study classics at uni however as I don’t do either Ancient Greek or Latin GCSE I can’t do either at A level. I’m going to do Ancient Greek GCSE next year alongside classical civilisation and English lit A level. For my third option I can’t decide between psychology or art history — I think I would do well in both and I know art history would work well with classical civilisation but is it considered too much of a soft subject? I hear psychology is taken more seriously by unis but I don’t know if it would be better to do entirely humanities A levels if I’m applying for classics. I also want to know if I even have a chance at getting in to places like oxbridge or Durham if I don’t have any ancient languages A levels, especially as my school do offer them so I assume this will be contextualised.

Hi! Classics is a wonderful degree of study and at Durham we have an amazing, supportive Classic's department! This is our entry requirements;

A level offer – AAA
BTEC - DDD
IB - 36
✨ Previous experience with Classical subjects and knowledge of Greek and Latin are not required for any of our courses.

I recommend choosing subjects that you are passionate about and will allow you to score high grades in order to meet the entry requirements. Subjects such as English Literature, Art History, History, Religious Studies, Psychology, and Philosophy - are great for Classics.

Find out more about the Classics course here - Classics Durham

Good luck with your A Level Studies - and we hope to see you apply to Durham in the future 🙂

Reply 3

xyz1234567

11

You don’t need an ancient language to study Classics at either Oxford or Cambridge. You do have to be willing to learn one when you get there, though.

You may also be asked at interview why you chose not to take an ancient language for GCSE or A level given that your school offers it. They will want to be reassured of your commitment to language learning given that your cv might suggest you weren’t previously that interested in it. So do think about how you will explain your conversion to classical languages.

Reply 4

IzzyBrown!

3

I take history, classical civilisations, religious studies, as well as learning latin on the side. I have been told by uni reps that these are a good combination, I know others who take english literature or art along with classical civilisations which is also a good combination ! I think as long as you don’t take subjects completely unrelated then the subject itself doesn’t quite matter as much as the grades you get in those subjects !

Reply 5

Carlie550

4

My son has offers from Oxford, Edinburgh, KCL and UCL to read Classics and is taking History, Religious Studies and Politics at A Level. He was also doing French but dropped it after the first year of A Levels. He studied Latin to GCSE but it wasn't available at his school for A Level.

Reply 6

FreddieC178

1

Original post

by laratspook

I very much want to study classics at uni however as I don’t do either Ancient Greek or Latin GCSE I can’t do either at A level. I’m going to do Ancient Greek GCSE next year alongside classical civilisation and English lit A level. For my third option I can’t decide between psychology or art history — I think I would do well in both and I know art history would work well with classical civilisation but is it considered too much of a soft subject? I hear psychology is taken more seriously by unis but I don’t know if it would be better to do entirely humanities A levels if I’m applying for classics. I also want to know if I even have a chance at getting in to places like oxbridge or Durham if I don’t have any ancient languages A levels, especially as my school do offer them so I assume this will be contextualised.

I have an offer from Exeter, King's, Nottingham, and Bristol, and I take English Literature, Politics, and History, My offer from Exeter, came with the offer that if I place them as my Firm they would confirm my place if I miss the offer (AAB) by one grade

Reply 7

EleanorA.

3

Original post

by laratspook

I very much want to study classics at uni however as I don’t do either Ancient Greek or Latin GCSE I can’t do either at A level. I’m going to do Ancient Greek GCSE next year alongside classical civilisation and English lit A level. For my third option I can’t decide between psychology or art history — I think I would do well in both and I know art history would work well with classical civilisation but is it considered too much of a soft subject? I hear psychology is taken more seriously by unis but I don’t know if it would be better to do entirely humanities A levels if I’m applying for classics. I also want to know if I even have a chance at getting in to places like oxbridge or Durham if I don’t have any ancient languages A levels, especially as my school do offer them so I assume this will be contextualised.

The top universities do not require you to have taken any particular prerequisite subjects at A level for Classics. I studied Class Civ, Maths, Further Maths and Physics at A level and was successful in getting offers from Durham, Edinburgh, Warwick and Exeter, and got through to interview with Oxford. Make whatever choices you think you're going to achieve highest in, and be prepared to justify why you've taken them - having a breadth of interests is a sign of an active mind. Don't stress.

Reply 8

divine-matrix

13

classics alevel probably

Which A levels should I do to get into a classics course at a top university?

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