What can I do with an A' level in Latin?

Employers and universities are always impressed by pupils who have studied Latin because it encourages you to think logically and solve problems.

It complements well the study of Modern Languages, English and History, as well as being very useful for the study of Law and Medicine.

Careers in teaching, library, museum and archive work can follow a degree in Latin, but it is also a most useful foundation for a law career, banking, accountancy, management and other careers and professions.

 
What will I study?
The course is varied, stimulating and entertaining, containing the same elements as GCSE, but in greater depth.  Literature is studied in its social context and the language element builds on the grammar learnt at GCSE.


AS Latin (OCR)
Two modules, language and literature, are taught.  Each is worth 50% of the examination and 25% of the total A Level.

The language paper consists of one compulsory passage of unseen translation into English and a choice between simple translation into Latin and a short translation into English from another work by the author of the prose set text.

In literature, two texts, one poetry (Ovid) and one prose (Cicero) will be taught.


A2 Latin (OCR)
Two modules, prose and verse, will be taught.

In the prose paper an unseen range is set, requiring translation, comprehension and grammatical knowledge along with passage set for commentary from a prose set text (Tacitus).

For verse, an unseen passage is set, requiring translation, comprehension and literary comment.  In addition, passages will be set from a selection of Catullus’ poems requiring literary comment and an essay on a literary theme.


What extra-curricular opportunities will I have?

6th form Latin students recently had the opportunity to go a school residential trip to Italy and visited Rome, Pompeii and Herculaneum, Sorrento and Capri.  Some of the pictures are now on our VLE website as well.
There are also opportunities to attend study days connected with the A Level specification.
Over the last few years some girls have had the opportunity to attend Latin summer schools and courses at Villiers Park.

Departmental Activities

Classical Civilisation in the sixth form

Latin - Year 7 to Year 9

Latin GCSE

Classics homepage