Ancient history degree - worthy??!!

[bamboowarrior]

Is ancient history degree a quality degree??!!

Two of my children who did it are lawyers. Boris Johnson did a similar subject according to wiki " Johnson won a scholarship to study Literae Humaniores at Balliol College, Oxford, a four-year course in the study of the Classics, ancient languages, literature, history, and philosophy."

I see from your previous thread that your DS is predicted 4 x Astars.

If your DS is interested in applying to oxbridge or a high-ranking university, students who apply for ancient history have a much higher rate of acceptance than those who apply for computer science.

Agreed, @JocelynBurnell

However the Classical Arch and AH programme at Oxford guidance suggests applicants should have a real passion for both aspects. Based on what we know I have some concern about that; however this clever DC may find a way to demonstrate a sufficient interest in CA.

@poetryandwine As per the ‘other thread’, I think the OP’s DS would be best considering the ab initio Classics II course given his A level in Classical Civilisation. He would ‘pick up’ Ancient History modules as part of that course anyhoo and as such would have the ‘best of both worlds’.
@JocelynBurnell again, as per the ‘other thread’ the stats for applications to offers for CS v Ancient History and Classics at Durham are not wildly out of kilter…
But, then again, the ‘ideal’ course is often overruled by where the young person sees themselves living for the next 3 or 4 years ( was in my DDs case) …

@poetryandwine from the CAAH Course.

I’m going to have to disagree with everyone on this thread. It would be a mistake not to do a STEM subject if that is an option.

Ancient History is a lifelong learning subject - this DS will go to weekend talks, museums, exhibitions, read books on the subject for the rest of his life. Very unlikely he will get out a microscope or Liebig Condenser of an evening. This is a narrowing of his opportunities (but so is every degree I suppose).

Thank you,@ProggyMat This DC knows their own mind and may or may not want the course but it looks like an excellent fit.

Not narrowing options that much, unless future potential employers are idiots. Maths, further maths and computer science A-levels already give them more STEM qualifications than most people.

I have a first in ancient and (not very) modern history from Oxford and I can't say that the subject has ever held me back - I had plenty of job offers from Big 8 (as they were then) accounting firms, civil service, NAO and others. I specialised in tax and found that the classical languages I had studied helped with reading legislation. DD2 is off to study it later next month.