Latin A Level
This Latin A Level can help you to acquire the language skills necessary to access both prose and verse literary texts in their original language. The course also encourages an enthusiasm for the culture, history and literature of the ancient world.
The OCR A level in Latin consists of four sections, two based on language and two on literature.
These modules are as follows:
Component 1: Unseen Translation
Component 2: Prose Composition or Comprehension
Component 3: Prose Literature
Component 4: Verse Literature
The first two modules (consisting of 50% of the exam marks available) are centred around the study of the language. The material is all studied together but is tested in two examination papers.
Component 1 - Unseen Translation
Component 2 - Prose Composition or Comprehension
The language material will recap some of the most important material from the GCSE language syllabus before moving onto some of the more difficult and complex grammatical forms. In addition, students will practice reading and translating extended passages in Latin.
Students will also practice translating short sentences and passages from English into Latin (this an option that may be taken in the examinations).
Finally, students will start to learn about verse and metre in Latin. The course enables the student to practice translating short verse passages from Latin to English, as well as learning how to identify particular features of poetic technique. In each session, students are taken through the main points of grammar. This is then followed with some practice questions to complete.
Component 3 - Prose Literature
Component 4 - Verse Literature
The second two components (also providing 50% of the marks) are based on the study of literary texts, both prose and verse.
The selection of texts has been divided in Group 1 and Group II. This essentially divides the A level in AS (Group I) and A level (Group II). As this course is for the full A level, the material will be covered as one.
For 2025 and 2026 exams
Dr Beer has selected the following set texts for the 2025 and 2026 exams:
Prose
Group 1: Cicero, Pro Caelio, 51–58, 61–68
Group 2: Cicero, Pro Caelio, 33–50 English: Cicero, Pro Caelio, 1–9, 17–18, 25–32
Verse
Group 3: Virgil, Aeneid Book 2, 40–249
Group 4: Virgil, Aeneid Book 2, 268–317, 370–558 English: Virgil, Aeneid Book 2
At the end of the modules there will opportunities to review and revise material before practising skills and knowledge through some examination-type papers. Mark schemes will help candidates to understand what is required by the examiners to achieve the highest grades.
For 2027 and 2028 exams
Dr Beer has selected the following texts for the 2027 and 2028 exams:
Prose
Group 1: Cicero, pro Roscio Amerino, 5 (forsitan quaeratis …) – 29 (… iugulandum vobis tradiderunt)
Group 2: Cicero, pro Roscio Amerino, 29 (quid primum …) – 32 (… iuguletis aut condemnetis?) and 37 (occidisse patrem …) – 57 (… accusare possitis) English: Cicero, pro Roscio Amerino 35–36, 58–78
Pro Roscio Amerino is a defence speech given by Marcus Cicero on behalf of Sextus Roscius, a Roman citizen accused of murdering his father. Delivered in 80 BC, it was Cicero’s first major public case. It is also his second-earliest surviving speech.
Verse
Group 3: Virgil, Aeneid Book 4, lines 1–128, 529–629
Group 4: Virgil, Aeneid Book 4, lines 259–396, 416–503 English: Virgil, Aeneid 1 lines 613–722 and rest of Book 4
Book 4 is the tragic love story of Aeneas and Dido in Carthage
Please note:
Components 1 and 2 (Unseen Translation and Prose Composition or Comprehension) is the largest section of the course and needs to be completed before Components 3 and 4.
The material covering the set texts for Prose and Verse Literature for the exams in 2027 and 2028 will be available in late 2025/early 2026.
At the end of the modules there will opportunities to review and revise material before practising skills and knowledge through some examination-type papers. Mark schemes will help candidates to understand what is required by the examiners to achieve the highest grades.
Students are able to return to sessions as often as they wish and to move freely around the course. This makes it possible to review and revise material, check answers to study questions and to study at their own pace.
Latin A Level (OCR) specification: click here
FAQs
Yes, it is possible to start this course at any stage of the year.
You may wish to take a few factors into consideration. A levels generally take around 350 hours to complete. This, however, will vary depending on your previous experience of the subject or if you are re taking the A level.
Also, if you are taking Latin A Level at a sixth form or college, this course can provide excellent support for your studies at any stage of the year.
12 months access: £159
24 months access: £189
If paying via 5 montly instalments:
12 months access: £33 (total: £165)
24 months access: £38.80 per month (total: £194)
These details are also on the purchase pages.
The A-Level course requires approximately 350 hours of study. We offer the 12 and 24 month options to provide flexibility with when you start the course.
The course will require approximately 350 hours to complete. It is also important to allow time for revision and the practice of mock papers.
We offer the options of 12 and 24 months to allow for plenty of flexibility. In deciding how long you require to complete the course you should take the following into consideration:
Your current work, study, family and social commitments
Any holidays you may have booked.
Any other time commitments.
If you wish to take the exams, decide which year you will work towards.
You can then decide how many hours each week you can devote to the course. Whilst many students begin courses in September and January, it is possible to begin our courses during any month. You can therefore choose to spread out the course over as many months as suits your particular circumstances.
For example, we have students who start their course in February or March and take the exams the following year.
Yes. This is a comprehensive course, covering all the material required to successfully sit the A Level Latin exam (OCR).
The course fee does not include individual tutor support. Our courses provide exceptional, comprehensive material at an affordable cost. There are distance learning providers who offer tutor support and their fees reflect this. The support is usually via email.
Students following our courses benefit from the expertise of our course contributors. Dr Beer, for example, has contributed material for the current A Level Classical Civilisation syllabus and brings a wealth of teaching experience to the creation of our Classics courses.
As students progress through our courses they are able to check their understanding with study tasks, and questions (answers provided). It is also possible for students to revisit the sessions as often as required, allowing plenty of time to absorb and reflect on the material.
If a student decided they would like additional support, we are able to put them in touch with a tutor. Please email us at info@sulislearning.co.uk. We consider our courses to be excellent value and hope you will too.
Yes. This course can provide excellent support for those following the course through a sixth form or college.
No. If you are planning to sit the exams, you will need to contact your nearest private exam centre. Please see here for further information.
If you are an independent learner, you will need to arrange to sit the exams at a private exam centre. The following link is useful for locating your nearest exam centres: https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/220734-specification-accredited-a-level-gce-latin-h443.pdf.
It is also worth enquiring at local secondary schools and colleges as they are sometimes able to accommodate private candidates.
Please see our FAQs for further information.
You will have access to the following:
Component 1 – Unseen Translation
Component 2 – Prose Composition or Comprehension
Component 3 – Prose Literature – the material for the exams in 2026
Component 4 – Verse Literature – the material for the exams in 2026
Please note: the material for the Prose and Verse Literature components for the exams in 2027 and 2028 will be available in late 2025/early 2026.
Components 1 and 2 are the largest sections and need to be completed before moving on to the Prose and Verse Literature material.
Yes. You will need to purchase the following textbook: Latin Beyond GCSE (Second Edition) by John Taylor, Bloomsbury. This is available from online retailers or you could contact your local bookshop.
There are small textbooks for the Prose and Verse Literature components. The information regarding these can be found on the purchase page here.
It is absolutely fine to follow this course in order to improve your Latin. It is not essential to sit the exams. We have many adult and independent learners who are following our courses simply due to their interest in the Classics.
The courses follow the specifications of the GCSE and A Level courses, as specified on the course pages and the final exams would need to be booked at a private exam centre.
It is worth noting that our courses include a link to recent exam papers along with the marking schemes and examiner’s reports. These are very useful for checking progress and understanding where a student needs to focus.
You should receive your username and password to the course material shortly after payment. It is usually possible to start the course on the day of purchase.
Yes, it is possible to extend access to the material. To do so, please email us with the subject heading ‘Extend access’. The fee is £60.00 for a 12 month extension. We will forward a payment link and then email you confirmation.
The material for the Prose and Verse Literature components for the exams in 2027 and 2028 will be available and accessible via the course menu, from late 2025 and early 2026.
Components 1 and 2 are the largest sections of the course. The material for these language sections remains the same each year and is available in full on purchase of the course.
Components 1 and 2 (Unseen Translation and Prose Composition or Comprehension) need to be completed before commencing Components 3 and 4 (Prose and Verse Literature).
If you are planning to take the exams in 2027 (or even 2028), you can start the course now or whenever convenient. The material for Components 1 and 2 remains the same each year and is available in full. It also needs to be completed before commencing the Prose and Verse Literature material. You may, therefore, wish to make a start so that you can move on to the Prose and Verse Literature when it is available.
The new material for 2027 and 2028 (for Verse and Prose Literature) will be available on the course dashboard in late 2025, early 2026. It will be available for all students and will be listed in the course menu.
After purchase, you will be automatically sent an email with the subject heading ‘Welcome to Sulis Learning’. This email will include your login details.
To login, you will need to go to www.sulislearning.co.uk, click on the login button and enter the details.
Once you have logged in, you will see the course dashboard and the ‘My courses’ tab.
A side menu bar lists all the lessons and these headings can be clicked on to view the lessons.
Do get in touch if you have any further questions. Our email is info@sulislearning.co.uk. Or you can click on Contact Us. You may also find answers to your questions under FAQs.
