Accessing Classical Subjects at University

Yes! UK universities are aware that many students will not have had to opportunity to access Classical subjects at school. Therefore, the entry requirements for Classics-related courses don't specify any particular A-level subjects. You will need three good A-levels, but other than that, you can explain your interest in the subject in your UCAS personal statement.

We've put together a presentation to give you an idea of the different courses available and to offer some advice on how to start researching which course is right for you.

24 universities offer 238 courses which include Classics. 28 universities offer over 200 courses with Ancient History.

Classics and Classical studies can be taken alongside many other courses, including English, other modern languages, history, theology, as can Ancient History.  The usual university websites, including UCAS, offer lots of resources about these subjects but there are many, many different courses, with different emphasis and different options, so delve into the detail of the courses.  It's never to early to have a look around online!
Degrees | University Course Chooser - Complete University Guide
Classical studies | UCAS
Ancient History Degrees Courses in UK | Compare Best Undergraduate University Courses | Whatuni

In October 2025, we hosted a briefing on applying to study Classical subjects at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. You can find a recording of the briefing below.

Again, these two prestigious universities do not require you to have studied Classical subjects at A level! However, whether you have studied Classics before or not, you will need to be on track to meet the entry requirements (A*AA) and be able to demonstrate your passion and suitability for these courses. To build a strong application, you will need to start planning and researching early in Year 12!! For advice on how to do this, check out this presentation.