A knowledge of Latin is invaluable when learning the romance languages like French, Italian and Spanish. It is also the key to many phrases and expressions in our own language and essential in the terminology of Botany, Medicine, Law and the Classics.
More than that, those who can read the Latin language are able to access first hand the extraordinary life and wonders of the Roman world.
For the language component of the course, you will study texts and stories in Latin to build knowledge and understanding of Latin vocabulary and grammar. This constitutes 50% of the course and provides a solid grounding for study of classical Latin at advanced level.
For the Prose and Verse Literature component learners study Latin set texts, learning to answer questions in English on aspects of content and to respond to the ancient literature they have studied. The Prose and Literature element constitutes 25% of the final examination.
Finally, in the Literature and Culture component, learners study two topics on Roman civilisation and culture using the sources in a prescribed sources booklet in order to answer questions in English on aspects of the fascinating and enthralling civilisation of the Roman world. The Literature and Culture component constitutes the remaining 25% of the specification.
The course is split into 9 main modules as shown below.
Module 1: Amor – Conflicting Emotions
Module 2: The Roman Army
Module 3: The Circus Maximus
Module 4: Amor – Love will not let the Poet sleep
Module 5: The Theatre at Pompeii
Module 6: Amor – How Many Kisses?
Module 7: Dinner Parties
Module 8: Roman Baths
Module 9: Echo et Narcissus
As you work through the course you will submit 10 Tutor-Marked Assignments across 51 lessons. These are formative assessments so you and your tutor can gauge your progress.
The course prepares you for the OCR GCSE (9-1) in Latin (J282) Specification
Oxford Open Learning has selected the following papers from the syllabus for study.
Paper 1: Language (J282/01)
1.5 hours
50% of the total marks
Paper 04: Verse Literature A (J282/04)
1 hour
25% of the total marks
Paper 6: Literature and Culture (J282/06)
1 hour
25% of the total marks
When you enrol with Oxford Open Learning we will agree on an intended examination date with you. Your support will last all the way up to this examination date so you have the flexibility to decide to study over 9 months or 30 months.
200 hours of study are recommended for this course. These modules will be used for the 2024 and 2025 examinations.
All of our GCSE students receive:
You will receive support from a fully-qualified tutor holding either a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or a degree in education.
This support includes:
No prior knowledge of this subject is required but it may be beneficial.
This qualification provides the ideal foundation for learners to progress to OCR’s AS Level in Latin and A Level in Latin.
Oxford Open Learning is a long-established educational trust. We take pride in;
Oxford Open Learning is a not-for-profit trust, so you can be sure that your course fees are spent on either your education and tuition or on improving our courses.
Press the “apply now button” and you will find that we certainly do not employ any high-pressure sales techniques. We want you to be comfortable with your choice before committing to a course and so we encourage questions and discussion before you start your journey with us.
Once you are studying, our friendly and experienced staff are always available to give help and advice in person on the ‘phone or by email if you prefer.
You can enrol any time you like, the earlier the better. The important thing to think about is when you wish to sit your exam and to give yourself plenty of time to work through your materials and revise successfully. Our cut-off dates for enrolment are in November for the following summer exams.
There are no winter exams for this course.
Once you have enrolled, you will get immediate access to your course online and your printed course materials will arrive a few days later.
All the information you need to book your exam with an exam centre can be found in the Student Information section of our website. Here you will find
Our experienced Advisers are also always available with a wealth of knowledge about how to locate exam centres and book exams.
OOL students have the advantage of not being tied to sitting with any one centre or organisation and several will offer discounts to our students. Tutors & Exams is one of the biggest operators. They have nine exam venues across the UK in; Birmingham, Bolton, Coventry, Doncaster, High Wycombe, Romford, St Neots, Taunton and Wimbledon.
Our map also shows plenty of other centres that are also very likely to help our students, they may also offer a discount and they could be cheaper. If you have the time it is always worth shopping around.
You should start to look for an exam centre as soon as possible after enrolling and preferably in the Autumn term before your summer exam. There is a lot of demand for Private Exam places and many centres are already booked up well before Christmas. The OCR Exam Board’s final date for booking summer exams without incurring late entry fees is the 21st of February, but do not expect to find many places willing to help at this late stage.
First fill out our website application form giving as much relevant information as possible and at this stage you have not committed to anything. Once the application has been received and assessed by our Admissions Department, a Student Adviser will contact you to discuss the application, answer any more questions you may have and confirm your subject selections and cost before you get started.
We want you to be comfortable with your choice and clear about the way forward, therefore we do not employ any high pressure sales techniques and you are free to take your time before you commit to investing in any study programme.
Once you are ready, you can pay your Student Adviser in full or arrange to pay in instalments.
There is no upper age limit to studying for a GCSE and we get students who are retired and in their 70’s even 80’s. They often just want to study to keep their brains active and many don’t actually go the expense of sitting the exam. Our tutors love what they can learn from these students
However, most students have just started work and need an extra GCSE to progress or want to switch to a job which requires a qualification they do not have.
If you are under 18 years old then you need our sister company Oxford Home Schooling.
Not surprisingly, many people find the idea of sitting a GCSE with a group of 16 year olds very intimidating but you are quite likely not to be alone.
There is no denying that it can be uncomfortable for a grown up to sit in what is likely to be the cheapest place; a school. Also because of safeguarding, many schools will no longer allow unknown grown ups in to their premises, but there are other options.
The private commercial exam centres all allow grown ups to sit and consequently although you will be in the minority, you will probably not be the only one. Some private schools are still happy to accommodate adults and they will be likely to have the most experienced exam officers.
Exams are not easy for anyone but at least as an adult you will probably have done it before and have the life experience not to panic.
We can print you materials on different coloured paper and because you are studying at home you will be able to take all the time you need to complete your work, but unfortunately we do not have special needs teachers.
When it comes to exams, you may be able to apply for extra time, but if you do not have a current diagnosis then you will need to go through the process of getting one. This can be expensive and time consuming, so please let us know of any special requirements when you apply.
Most of our GCSE and IGCSE courses are fairly self contained and you should not need many if any extra books to complete successfully.
Having said that all students will benefit from reading around a subject and your tutor will be able to advise if any additional reading would useful. These days the internet is an enormous resource both for accessing free materials and buying cheap or second hand books.
The Latin course obviously majors on books and therefore you should really try to obtain copies of some texts. Your tutor will advise.