The civilisations of ancient Greece and Rome underpin all of Western society, and their long influence is still felt from Afghanistan to the United States of America; whether in politics, philosophy, art or the sciences an acquaintance with the classical world will not only enrich a pupil’s experience, but also offer him fresh perspectives and ideas, drawn from the well-spring of European civilisation. Classical Subjects at Dulwich Dulwich College is lucky to be able to offer a full suite of courses at A level, which allows all of our pupils the opportunity to engage with the classical world. Latin and Classical Greek offer their traditional virtues, having been central to the British education system since the foundation of Oxford University, and the first public schools which followed it, while Classical Civilisation opens up our subjects to pupils who do not read Latin or Greek by viewing the cultures through sources in translation and their physical remains. While the texts may be ancient, the approach is not, as we bring modern academic techniques from literary criticism, history and archaeology to bear in all three disciplines, providing courses which are engaging, exciting and academically satisfying. Candidates for our subjects combine intellectual curiosity and independence, and we encourage them to pursue their interests throughout the broad range of disciplines that universities recognise as integral to degrees in Classics. These subjects are ideal in combination with other humanities such as History, English and Philosophy, as they complement the core skills of these subjects, and often open up new areas of critical engagement. Latin and Greek are also particularly appropriate in parallel with other languages, as the focus on ancient literature and history offers a less pragmatic view of the value of language acquisition. Finally, we have often had many candidates choose classical languages as a counterpoint to the natural sciences; it is no secret that many successful figures in the world of IT, including Mark Zuckerberg, view the logical demands of the language as at the heart of their success. In the words of Professor Llewelyn Morgan, “Latin is the Maths of the Humanities. But Latin also has something that Mathematics does not and that is the history and mythology of the ancient world. Latin is Maths with goddesses, gladiators and flying horses, or flying children.”
For those applicants currently studying GCSEs, we also require 14 points as a minimum entry requirement, where Grades 8 and 9 = 3 points, Grade 7 = 2 points and Grade 6 = 1 point. We would expect applicants to achieve significantly higher than our minimum grade requirement. GCSEs should include English Language, Mathematics, and a grade 8 in the three subjects to be studied at A level, where those subjects are being studied for GCSE. For 16+ applicants to enter the Remove from elsewhere in the UK, the minimum requirement for entry will be 14 points at GCSE (see above) or the equivalent. We look for a grade 8 or above in English Language, Mathematics, and all subjects chosen for study at A level. A-level grades are not commonly achieved without at least a grade 8 at GCSE in the same or related subjects. The most competitive universities will expect a mixture of A and A* grades at the A level.
The A-level examination consists of four papers, all taken at the end of the sixth form. Details of each module are given below: Verse Literature (2h) This paper looks at Greek poetry and drama, in particular the Athenian tragedians of the 5th Century BC and Homer. Although the precise choice of text depends on the teacher, in 2025 and 2026 the set texts are Homer’s Iliad, book 16 and Euripides’ Hippolytus. Aristophanes’ Frogs may also be studied in year 13. These seminal works of literature are studied in both Greek and translation, and literary criticism is paired with historicist interpretation of the texts in their original context. The paper is worth 35% of the total. Prose Literature (2h) In this paper, pupils may either read extracts from the opening book of Herodotus’ account of the Persian Wars or look at the Republic of Plato, the father of Western Philosophy. Plutarch’s Antony may also be studied in year 13. As with the verse paper, it is examined through both commentaries and essays; the paper is worth 25% of the total. Unseen Translation (1h 45) Candidates translate one passage of prose (approximately 140 words) and one of verse (of approximately 18 lines) into English. The passages are drawn from Xenophon and Euripides or Thucydides and Sophocles. The paper is worth 33% of the total.
About Education Provider
| Region | London |
| Local Authority | Southwark |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | £48,324 - £51,546 |
| Sixth Form Fee | £24,693; |
| Address | Dulwich Common, Dulwich, London, SE21 7LD |
The civilisations of ancient Greece and Rome underpin all of Western society, and their long influence is still felt from Afghanistan to the United States of America; whether in politics, philosophy, art or the sciences an acquaintance with the classical world will not only enrich a pupil’s experience, but also offer him fresh perspectives and ideas, drawn from the well-spring of European civilisation. Classical Subjects at Dulwich Dulwich College is lucky to be able to offer a full suite of courses at A level, which allows all of our pupils the opportunity to engage with the classical world. Latin and Classical Greek offer their traditional virtues, having been central to the British education system since the foundation of Oxford University, and the first public schools which followed it, while Classical Civilisation opens up our subjects to pupils who do not read Latin or Greek by viewing the cultures through sources in translation and their physical remains. While the texts may be ancient, the approach is not, as we bring modern academic techniques from literary criticism, history and archaeology to bear in all three disciplines, providing courses which are engaging, exciting and academically satisfying. Candidates for our subjects combine intellectual curiosity and independence, and we encourage them to pursue their interests throughout the broad range of disciplines that universities recognise as integral to degrees in Classics. These subjects are ideal in combination with other humanities such as History, English and Philosophy, as they complement the core skills of these subjects, and often open up new areas of critical engagement. Latin and Greek are also particularly appropriate in parallel with other languages, as the focus on ancient literature and history offers a less pragmatic view of the value of language acquisition. Finally, we have often had many candidates choose classical languages as a counterpoint to the natural sciences; it is no secret that many successful figures in the world of IT, including Mark Zuckerberg, view the logical demands of the language as at the heart of their success. In the words of Professor Llewelyn Morgan, “Latin is the Maths of the Humanities. But Latin also has something that Mathematics does not and that is the history and mythology of the ancient world. Latin is Maths with goddesses, gladiators and flying horses, or flying children.”
For those applicants currently studying GCSEs, we also require 14 points as a minimum entry requirement, where Grades 8 and 9 = 3 points, Grade 7 = 2 points and Grade 6 = 1 point. We would expect applicants to achieve significantly higher than our minimum grade requirement. GCSEs should include English Language, Mathematics, and a grade 8 in the three subjects to be studied at A level, where those subjects are being studied for GCSE. For 16+ applicants to enter the Remove from elsewhere in the UK, the minimum requirement for entry will be 14 points at GCSE (see above) or the equivalent. We look for a grade 8 or above in English Language, Mathematics, and all subjects chosen for study at A level. A-level grades are not commonly achieved without at least a grade 8 at GCSE in the same or related subjects. The most competitive universities will expect a mixture of A and A* grades at the A level.
The A-level examination consists of four papers, all taken at the end of the sixth form. Details of each module are given below: Verse Literature (2h) This paper looks at Greek poetry and drama, in particular the Athenian tragedians of the 5th Century BC and Homer. Although the precise choice of text depends on the teacher, in 2025 and 2026 the set texts are Homer’s Iliad, book 16 and Euripides’ Hippolytus. Aristophanes’ Frogs may also be studied in year 13. These seminal works of literature are studied in both Greek and translation, and literary criticism is paired with historicist interpretation of the texts in their original context. The paper is worth 35% of the total. Prose Literature (2h) In this paper, pupils may either read extracts from the opening book of Herodotus’ account of the Persian Wars or look at the Republic of Plato, the father of Western Philosophy. Plutarch’s Antony may also be studied in year 13. As with the verse paper, it is examined through both commentaries and essays; the paper is worth 25% of the total. Unseen Translation (1h 45) Candidates translate one passage of prose (approximately 140 words) and one of verse (of approximately 18 lines) into English. The passages are drawn from Xenophon and Euripides or Thucydides and Sophocles. The paper is worth 33% of the total.