• A  A  A  

Classical Civilisation

A LEVEL

Welcome to Classics - a study of ancient life through poems, philosophy, art, architecture and much more…

What entertained, inspired and laid foundations for society as we know it? If you love thinking deeply about the world around us and how it came to be, you’ll have an absolute ball on this Classical Civilisation A Level course.

What’s surprising is how many of the issues affecting today’s society have been around and debated for more than 2,000 years. We’ll discuss many of them on this course – from democracy to drama.

There’s a lot of debate and discussion in this course. You’ll be reading plenty, analysing texts and interpretations with your classmates and teachers, for example:

  • Great battles with heroes, witches, and giants in Homer’s Odyssey
  • One of history’s greatest piece of theatre – packed with prophecy and deadly secrets in Sophocles’ Oedipus
  • A journey through life with arguably the greatest-ever philosopher, Socrates, as we go deep on beauty, the god of love and pursuit of wisdom.

This is a course that’s recommended if you’re seeking to hone your critical thinking – and highly rated by higher education institutions. An increasing number of Classical Civilisation students apply successfully to Oxbridge and other Russell Group universities.

Classical Civilisation is an odyssey in itself. Storytelling, song, love, literature, art, archaeology, and the obligatory tales of woe and war. We can’t wait for you to join us and put this world to rights.

LESSON TIME!

We’re shooting ourselves back almost 2,500 years to study the Ancient Greek tragedy, Hippolytus. Which as a word, loosely translated, means ‘destroyed by horses’.

Our playwright is Euripides and he’s going all-in on love and despair. This is a properly dark text. There’s unrequited love, death by chariot, and all kinds of other shenanigans that quite frankly make Game of Thrones look tame.

Play Video

What’s next?

Accordion Content

If you choose to pursue a degree related to the Classics, you may consider a career in one of the following rewarding roles:

  • Archivist
  • Barrister
  • Editorial assistant
  • Heritage manager
  • Teacher or lecturer
  • Researcher
  • Museum curator

Many Classical Civilisation students develop a real passion for Greek and Roman mythology. 

This course is packed with art, literature, history, and comedy intertwined with politics. That means there are plenty of aligned degree courses to consider – depending on how you wish to branch out.

You’ll already be fascinated by society, culture and democracy, and how life has evolved through the ages – so you might also consider your university future in courses such as philosophy, sociology and law.

Component 1:

The World of the Hero: Homer’s Odyssey and Virgil’s Aeneid – 40%

Component 2:

Greek Theatre – 30%

Component 3:

Beliefs and Ideas: Love and Relationships – 30%

Entry requirements:

Six good passes at GCSE including two at grade 6 or above

Course specific entry requirements:

Grade 5 from English (4 will be considered)

Course duration:

2 years

Assessment methods:

2 final exams

Course type:

Linear A-level

Exam board:

OCR

We do not expect any knowledge of the subject, and will spend time building up your knowledge. You will develop skills in critical analysis, presenting rigorous arguments, oral and written, and learn how to discuss a topic with clarity, patience and sensitivity to the views of others. You will also learn to reference ancient and modern secondary scholars in essays, preparing you well for further study at university.

There is lots of discussion in the classroom, and we believe that extra-curricular experiences and visits are particularly advantageous in opening your eyes to topics we study: we hope you will take advantage of our trips to ancient sites and the British Museum as well as our links with Manchester University; a number of our students this year relished the chance to study an ancient language at a summer school or spent a week studying Classics related subjects at colleges in Oxford.

Classics is my favourite subject and is something I had never done before I started here. I’ve enjoyed it so much that I have decided it is what I want to take at university. The subject itself is fun and the lessons promote discussion and engagement with the course materials. The teachers are also great!

Jessica Scanlon, Classical Civilisation

RELATED COURSES

If you’re considering BUSINESS you might also want to check out:

COMPLEMENTARY COURSES

YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING COURSES ALONGSIDE BUSINESS:

Mathematics students multiply Results Day celebrations with impressive grades

Results Day at Xaverian College was filled with excitement and pride as students studying A Level Mathematics and/or Further Mathematics showcased their exceptional achievements in …

Find out more

Results Day yields impressive academic victories

Eight students from Xaverian College secured places at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge and more are off to study medicine in …

Find out more

Xaverian College students gain first-choice destinations with excellent results

Staff and students at Xaverian College are celebrating today as the College enjoys yet another year of excellent A Level and BTEC results. A Level …

Find out more

Mathematics students multiply Results Day celebrations with impressive grades

Results Day at Xaverian College was filled with excitement and pride as students studying A Level Mathematics and/or Further Mathematics showcased their exceptional achievements in …

Find out more

Results Day yields impressive academic victories

Eight students from Xaverian College secured places at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge and more are off to study medicine in …

Find out more

Xaverian College students gain first-choice destinations with excellent results

Staff and students at Xaverian College are celebrating today as the College enjoys yet another year of excellent A Level and BTEC results. A Level …

Find out more