u/tommyASOIAF3467

I was curious on what the people thought regarding whether I should apply to the standard History Course or the History (Ancient and Modern) course at Oxford.

For context, I have always really enjoyed ancient and Greco-Roman history and it was one of my main motivations for applying for history at university. However, I also massively enjoy more recent history, such as the early medieval, renaissance, and post-war periods. Picking the AaM version of the course would allow me the flexibility to engage thoroughly in both of my major interests. In addition, I would be open to learning Ancient Greek or Latin!

However, I worry about the practical side of picking AaH. Would selecting the standard History Course be more optimal for getting in, due to its larger pool of spaces. Also, I am concerned about the wider range of opens present in the standard History Course, compared to AaM. Is this the more open and “flexible” option in reality.

I am open to any help and advice regarding the differences in course content and the admissions process (especially from History/AaM students or alumni).

Thanks in advance!

I’d like some advice on how likely I am to get in to History at Oxford (unironically). It’s always been a huge aspiration of mine!

I am a state school student and have a working class background (just trying to provide some context)

My GCSEs were
English Language - 9
English Lit - 7
History - 8
Art - 8
Geography - 8
Combined Science - 6/6
Maths - 4
I went to a significantly below average secondary school so I’m hoping these grades will be contextualised.

My Predicted A Level Grades are
History - A
English Literature - A
Politics - A*
I am now at an above average sixth form, will that be taken into account?

Super curriculars:
Entered Julia Wood essay competition
Entered Caius Explore Essay Competition (for classics, I preferred the question)
Read the Aeneid
Currently reading What is History by EH Carr, Postwar by Tony Judt, and SPQR by Mary Beard.
Planned volunteering at my local museum
Plan to write a summer history blog on Substack where I will write essays on historical subjects that interest me biweekly
Edited a school digest for humanities
Enjoy sketching high quality historical art (eg St Peter’s Basilica)
Enjoy history YouTube Channels such as Invicta, Extra History and Kings and Generals

Extra Curriculars:
I enjoy reading for pleasure
I also enjoy track sports, such as the 200m sprint and team sports such as basketball.

I very much appreciate any replies and I’m happy to elaborate if needed!