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SQA Advanced Higher Classical Studies: complete guide to the themes, the question paper and the project dissertation

A complete guide to SQA Advanced Higher Classical Studies, an SCQF level 7 qualification. Covers the study of the ancient Greek and Roman world through classical literature and classical society, the four themed sections, the 60 mark question paper, the 40 mark project dissertation, and how to study for an A.

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SQA Advanced Higher Classical Studies is a one-year course at SCQF level 7, building on Higher Classical Studies and bridging to degree-level study. It is graded A to D out of 100 marks from two components: a question paper worth 60 marks and a compulsory project dissertation worth 40 marks. The course studies the ancient Greek and Roman world through two dimensions, classical literature and classical society, delivered through four optional themed sections. This page is the index: below is a map of the assessment, the skills tested, the themed sections, and how to study for an A.

The shape of SQA Advanced Higher Classical Studies

The course studies Greece and Rome along two dimensions. In classical literature you read ancient texts in translation closely, as evidence for ideas and values and as crafted works of art. In classical society you study the politics, religion, social structures and moral assumptions of the ancient world and weigh the modern scholarship about them. The examinable content is delivered through four optional themed sections, and your centre teaches a selection.

Course assessment

The award is graded A to D out of 100 marks and is made up of two components, both set and externally marked by the SQA.

  • Question paper - 60 marks. Part A (Classical literature) sets source based questions on the themed sections you studied: you analyse short passages from set ancient works and place them in context. Part B (Classical society) requires one extended essay on a chosen section, building a sustained line of argument with detailed evidence and scholarship. The essay is the largest single block of marks in the paper.
  • Project dissertation - 40 marks. An independent research essay on a candidate chosen issue, demonstrating a clear question, primary evidence in translation, critical engagement with scholarship, a sustained argument and a substantiated conclusion.

The dissertation is roughly two fifths of the whole award, so it carries serious weight and rewards work done across the year.

The skills tested

Across both components, the course tests how you handle ancient evidence, weigh interpretations and build arguments at a level approaching undergraduate study:

  1. Close analysis of classical literature. Reading a source as evidence, analysing the writer's technique and effect, and placing a passage in its wider literary and social context, for the Part A source questions.
  2. A sustained line of argument. Arguing a case across the Part B classical society essay, using specific evidence and reaching a judgement.
  3. Critical use of scholarship. Bringing ancient and modern interpretations into the argument and weighing them against the evidence, in both the essay and the dissertation.
  4. Independent research. Framing a question, reading widely, evaluating interpretations and reaching a substantiated judgement in the project dissertation.

The themed sections

The content is organised into four optional themed sections. Your centre chooses which to teach; you are examined only on what you studied.

  • Individual and community. The relationship between the person and the political community: duty, freedom, justice, and the individual who defies the community.
  • Heroes and heroism. The heroic code of honour and glory, the warrior hero in epic, the tragic hero, and the cost and questioning of heroism.
  • Comedy, satire and society. The conventions of ancient comedy, comedy as political and social commentary, satire as a weapon, and what comedy reveals about its society.
  • History and historiography. The work, methods, reliability and literary craft of the ancient historians.

How to study SQA Advanced Higher Classical Studies

Advanced Higher Classical Studies rewards depth, argument and independent reading.

  1. Confirm your sections. Learn only the themed sections your centre taught, in real depth.
  2. Drill the source skills. Practise reading a text as evidence, analysing technique and effect, and placing a passage in context, on your set texts.
  3. Master the essay. Drill the Part B essay: a clear line of argument, specific evidence, critical use of scholarship, and a judgement.
  4. Start the dissertation early. Choose a clear, focused question inside your sections, read widely, and build the scholarly debate into your argument.
  5. Practise past papers. Use SQA past papers and marking instructions to learn the question style and the wording markers reward.

The modules in this hub

Each module has answer pages with worked questions and cross-links, plus a paired guide and quiz. Browse the full set from this hub: the course and assessment overview, the classical literature skills, the classical society essay, and the four themed sections (Individual and community, Heroes and heroism, Comedy satire and society, and History and historiography).

For the official course specification

The SQA publishes the full Advanced Higher Classical Studies course specification, specimen and past papers, and marking instructions at sqa.org.uk. Always revise from the current specification and SQA past papers, because question style and terminology are board-specific.

Classical Studies guides

In-depth written guides with paired practice quizzes.

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Classical Studies practice quizzes

Multiple-choice drills with worked answer explanations. Your scores stay on this device.

The SQA-ADVANCED-HIGHER system, explained

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Common questions about Classical Studies

How is SQA Advanced Higher Classical Studies structured?
Advanced Higher Classical Studies is an SCQF level 7 course that studies the ancient Greek and Roman world along two dimensions: classical literature (the close reading of ancient texts as evidence and as crafted works) and classical society (the political, social, religious and moral life of Greece and Rome, and the modern scholarly debate about it). The content sits inside four optional themed sections, Individual and community, Heroes and heroism, Comedy satire and society, and History and historiography, and a centre teaches a selection. The course is assessed by a 60 mark question paper and a compulsory 40 mark project dissertation, and it builds on Higher Classical Studies towards degree level study.
How is SQA Advanced Higher Classical Studies assessed?
By two externally marked components. The question paper is worth 60 marks: Part A, Classical literature, sets source based questions on the themed sections you studied, and Part B, Classical society, requires one extended essay on a chosen section. The project dissertation is worth 40 marks and is an independent research essay on a candidate chosen issue. The two add to a total out of 100, which is converted to an overall grade of A to D against boundaries set after marking, with a no award outcome below D.
What are the four themed sections in Advanced Higher Classical Studies?
Individual and community (the relationship between the person and the political community, duty, freedom, justice and the claims of conscience), Heroes and heroism (the heroic code, the warrior hero in epic, the tragic hero, and the questioning of heroism), Comedy satire and society (the conventions of comedy, comedy as commentary, satire as a weapon, and what comedy reveals about its society), and History and historiography (the work, methods, reliability and craft of the ancient historians). A centre teaches a selection of these, and you answer only on the sections you studied.
What is the Advanced Higher Classical Studies project dissertation?
A compulsory, independent research essay on a candidate chosen issue, worth 40 marks and externally marked by the SQA. You frame a clear, focused research question, investigate it using primary classical evidence in translation and modern scholarship, build a sustained line of argument, and reach a substantiated conclusion. At roughly two fifths of the award it is the single largest piece of independent work in the course, and it should be started early, ideally on a topic inside your themed sections so the reading also strengthens the question paper.
What does SCQF level 7 mean for Advanced Higher Classical Studies?
SCQF is the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework, which places every Scottish qualification on a common ladder. Advanced Higher sits at level 7, above Higher (level 6) and pitched at the demand of the first year of a Scottish degree, with a strong UCAS tariff for a top grade. For Classical Studies it signals the deeper source analysis, the genuine engagement with modern scholarship, and the independent research dissertation expected of a learner moving into higher education, which is why universities value it as preparation for arts and humanities degrees.
How should I revise for SQA Advanced Higher Classical Studies?
Confirm which themed sections your centre taught and learn only those in depth, because both the source questions and the essay assume detailed knowledge. Drill the Part A source skills (reading a text as evidence, analysing technique and effect, and placing a passage in context) on your set texts, and the Part B essay (a sustained line of argument, specific evidence, and critical use of scholarship) on your sections. Start the project dissertation early, choosing a topic inside your sections. Practise SQA past papers and read the marking instructions, because question style and the wording markers reward are board specific.
How does Advanced Higher Classical Studies differ from Higher?
Higher Classical Studies (SCQF level 6) studies classical society through a set of themes and is assessed by a question paper and an assignment. Advanced Higher Classical Studies (SCQF level 7) studies the chosen themed sections in much greater depth, demands close analysis of classical literature and genuine engagement with ancient and modern scholarship, and adds a substantial 40 mark independent project dissertation. It is pitched at the level of first year undergraduate study. Always revise from the current SQA Advanced Higher course specification and SQA past papers.