A-LEVEL

Some of the greatest literature ever written was produced 2000 years ago by the Romans. It has inspired writers ever since - Shakespeare was fascinated by and drew heavily on tales from Ovid's Metamorphoses and Plutarch's account of the lives of great Romans; Dante's incredibly graphic portrayal of Hell comes straight from Virgil's Aeneid Book 6; Cicero's rhetoric is still admired by orators and politicians - and this literature is still read, enjoyed and valued today. The Latin A Level gives you the incredible opportunity to read and appreciate these amazing pieces of literature in their original language, so that you can fully grasp the skill with which these texts were crafted. We read a range of Latin texts from renowned Roman writers, including Cicero, Virgil, Livy and Ovid, allowing us to delve into the intriguing epics, poetry, politics, culture and history of the fascinating Roman world.

You will also expand your knowledge of the Latin language, which will enrich your English vocabulary and develop important transferable skills - keen analysis, problem solving, lateral thinking and attention to detail - which is why studying Latin is so highly regarded both academically and by a wide range of professions.

Subject requirements

Minimum of GCSE 6 in Latin

Teacher to contact/Head of Latin - Mrs C Wheeldon
Humanities Area Coordinator - Dr R Mills 

Course Content

Year 12

• Translation and prose composition
• Pliny, Letters 1.9, 3.16, 4.2, 4.19, 8.8, 8.16, 8.17, 9.6
• English: Pliny, Letters 1.12, 2.6, 2.20, 3.14, 5.8, 7.5, 9.12
• Virgil, Aeneid Book 2, 40–249

Year 13

• Translation (Livy and Ovid) and prose composition
• Cicero, Pro Caelio, 51–58, 61–68
• Virgil, Aeneid Book 2, 268–317, 370–558
• English: Aeneid Book 2

Assessment Criteria

The A-Level is assessed through 100% examination.
Year 12
Internal examinations will take place to assess knowledge and understanding.
A-Level

• Unseen Translation (one prose and one verse text): 1 hour 45 minutes – 33% of A-Level
• Prose Composition or Comprehension: 1 hour 15 minutes – 17% of total A-Level
• Prose Literature: 2-hours – 25% of A-Level
• Verse Literature: 2-hours – 25% of A-Level

Exam Board: OCR
A-Level: H443

Are you interested in:

• The Ancient World?
• Languages (ancient and modern)?
• Problem solving and close analysis?
• Literature?
• Culture and history?
• The challenges of translation?

Leading to a career in:

• Law
• Politics
• Journalism
• Science
• Medicine
• Foreign Office
• Teaching and Research

This subject goes well with:

• Classical Civilisation
• Modern Foreign Languages
• English Literature
• History
• Mathematics

Click below to learn about the course from Latin student, Lauren.