What is A Level Ancient History?

If you’re fascinated by the distant past and want to take an A Level humanities subject, A Level Ancient History (opens in a new tab) is worth considering. But what exactly does it involve, and how different is it from A Level History and Classical Civilisation?

Essentially, A Level Ancient History – currently only offered by OCR – covers period and depth studies of the Greeks and Romans.

This guide covers what you'll learn, how it’s assessed, and where it can lead you in the future.

Key Takeaways

• OCR is currently the only exam board offering A Level Ancient History

• The course is split evenly between Greek and Roman ancient history, taught through period and depth studies

• Assessment is two equally-weighted written exams (50% each)

• You’ll analyse an extensive list of translated sources from writers like Herodotus, Thucydides and Suetonius

• It opens routes to degrees such as Classics, History and Politics, as well as careers in education, law and journalism

What A Level Ancient History actually is

OCR A Level Ancient History is a humanities A Level focused on Greek and Roman civilisations from roughly 500 BC to 130 AD. You study political, military, religious, social and cultural history through primary source material rather than modern textbooks and historians alone.

The most common A Level combinations include taking Ancient History alongside History, English Literature, Classical Civilisation, Politics or Languages. Some take it as a standalone humanities choice, especially if they're aiming at a Classics degree.

What you study in A Level Ancient History

Each component covers one ancient world: Component 1 is the Greek world, and Component 2 is the Roman world. 

Both components include one period study (broad chronological coverage) and one depth study (a more specific topic). The current content for these is listed below:

The Greek World

• Period study

  • Relations between Greek states and between Greek and non-Greek states, 492–404 BC

  • A compulsory study of the changing relationships between Greek states and between Greek states and non-Greek states

• Depth study – choose from one of the following:

  • The Society and Politics of Sparta, 478–404 BC 

  • The Culture and Politics of Athens, c.460–399 BC 

  • The Rise of Macedon, 359–323 BC

The Roman World

• Period study

  • The Julio-Claudian Emperors, 31 BC–AD 68 

  • A compulsory study of the reigns of Augustus, Tiberius, Gaius, Claudius and Nero

• Depth study – choose from one of the following:

  • The Breakdown of the Late Republic, 88–31 BC 

  • The Flavians, AD 68–96 

  • Ruling Roman Britain, AD 43–c.128

Your chosen depth study will determine which entry code you’ll be given for your period study. For example, if you’re taking The Society and Politics of Sparta, 478–404 BC depth study, you must be entered for H407/11: Sparta and the Greek World.

Each period and depth study has a vast range of ancient source material to be used alongside it. You'll read translated accounts of writers like Herodotus, Thucydides and Suetonius, and you’ll learn to evaluate them as historical evidence.

Which exam board offers A Level Ancient History

The only exam board currently offering A Level Ancient History is OCR. If your school offers Ancient History, it will be using the OCR specification.

If your school doesn’t offer A Level Ancient History and you still want to take it, consider using a distance education provider like the Oxford Learning College (opens in a new tab).

How A Level Ancient History is assessed

There is no non-exam assessment (NEA) in A Level Ancient History. Instead, your entire A Level grade is determined by two 2.5-hour written exams you’ll take at the end of Year 13.

Component 1 (Greek) and Component 2 (Roman) both include one period study and one depth study, are worth a total of 98 marks, and are equally weighted at 50% each. Each period and depth study is worth 25%.

Both exams feature extended essay writing, interpretation evaluation and source analysis.

What you need to take A Level Ancient History

Most schools expect a Grade 6 or above in GCSE History, English Literature or English Language. Some accept Grade 5 if you can show strong essay-writing skills elsewhere on your GCSE profile.

GCSE Latin or Classical Greek helps build context, but isn't a formal entry requirement. Sources are studied in English translation throughout the course, so you don't need to read ancient Greek or Latin to do well.

While it isn’t a requirement, note that the course builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills of GCSE Ancient History. It’s therefore helpful to know what GCSE Ancient History is if you’re interested in A Level Ancient History.

A Level Ancient History vs A Level History vs Classical Civilisation

It’s easy to confuse A Level Ancient History with similar subjects, so here are some of the key features to make a note of:

A Level Ancient History focuses on Greek and Roman history from roughly 500 BC to 130 AD, making use of both primary sources and interpretations by modern historians.

A Level History has a much wider geographical and chronological range. Most schools cover modern topics from a range of countries, such as Mao’s China or Russia, 1917-91. The earliest time periods studied are medieval rather than ancient, and there is a coursework component.

A Level Classical Civilisation is OCR's other classical A Level. It covers ancient literature, drama, art and philosophy rather than political and military history. You can take Ancient History and Classical Civilisation together, as they're complementary rather than interchangeable.

If you're choosing between them, consider your interests. Ancient History is best for the distant past; History is better for modern political events; and Classical Civilisation is ideal for studying ancient literature and culture.

Where A Level Ancient History can take you

Here are just some of the pathways A Level Ancient History can open up for you:

Further Study

• Russell Group universities like Oxford and Cambridge run prestigious Classics programmes

• Degrees in History, Politics, Archaeology, English and Ancient Languages

Careers

• Education, e.g. teaching or academic research

• Law, as you’ll develop persuasive skills when putting forward evidence-based arguments

• Journalism, as you’ll learn to evaluate sources and write convincingly

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is A Level Ancient History?

Though it’s generally not listed among the hardest A Levels, some students find A Level Ancient History difficult – especially the sheer amount of source material and the depth required for analytical writing.

Students with strong essay-writing and source-handling skills from GCSE History tend to do well. For a wider view of subject difficulty, see our list of the easiest A Levels.

Is A Level Ancient History a respected qualification?

Yes. Russell Group universities accept it as a full A Level for arts and humanities applications, particularly Classics, History, Archaeology and English.

Oxbridge Classics tutors also regard it positively.

Can you study A Level Ancient History online?

Yes, through distance education providers like the Oxford Learning College (opens in a new tab). You'll need to register at an exam centre that accepts external candidates, because the course is fully exam-based.

The lack of NEA actually makes online study more practical for Ancient History than for some other A Levels.

Do you need GCSE Latin or Greek to take A Level Ancient History?

No. Primary sources are studied in English translation throughout the course. 

GCSE Latin or Classical Greek help build context and are useful if you're aiming for Classics at Oxbridge, but they’re not formally required for A Level Ancient History itself.

Combining the worlds of Greece and Rome, A Level Ancient History is a highly academic subject that is seriously respected by Humanities departments – including those in the Russell Group. See if it’s available at your school and, if not, consider taking it with a distance education provider.

Refer to our full list of A Level subjects to choose from to make an informed decision about your A Levels.