HomeA-LevelAncient History
ClassicsCivilisation

A-Level Ancient History Tutor & Online Tuition

Short answer

The A-Level Ancient History course is one-to-one tutoring, taught live online: every lesson is 90 minutes.

A private group is for 3 or more friends who sign up together (the group programme is 30 hours per subject); there are no published start dates, and we agree the start date and lesson times with you.

In one-to-one tutoring, packages are from €85 a lesson.

A-Level Ancient History tutoring for OCR H407: Greek and Roman period studies, a depth study for each, and the prescribed ancient sources.

One-to-one and small groups · Live online · OCR specifications

See pricesAll A-Level subjects
Student attending a live one-to-one online lesson

100% live online lessons

About the subject

A-Level Ancient History: what it covers and who it suits

A-Level Ancient History tutoring at TestPrep Europe follows OCR's H407 specification: two papers, one Greek and one Roman, each pairing a compulsory period study with one depth study. We teach the period studies, the depth studies and the prescribed ancient source material, with explicit attention to source-evaluation technique and modern historians' interpretations.

  • OCR H407 mapped explicitly: Relations between Greek states and between Greek and non-Greek states, 492–404 BC and The Julio-Claudian Emperors, 31 BC–AD 68, plus one depth study for each
  • Each paper: 2 hours 30 minutes, 98 marks, 50% of the A-Level; no coursework
  • Source-evaluation drilled with both literary and material evidence
Read more

A-Level Ancient History examines the politics, society and culture of Greek and Roman civilisations through primary sources. It is valuable for classical studies, archaeology, history and literature.

A-Level Ancient History (OCR H407) covers Greek and Roman history from 492 BC to about AD 128. The Greek paper pairs the compulsory period study, Relations between Greek states and between Greek and non-Greek states, 492–404 BC, with a depth study on Sparta, Athens or Macedon; the Roman paper pairs The Julio-Claudian Emperors, 31 BC–AD 68 with one of three depth studies: The Breakdown of the Late Republic, The Flavians or Ruling Roman Britain. Students learn to work with ancient sources, build historical arguments and evaluate modern historians' interpretations. Our programme combines source evaluation with structured essay-writing instruction.

One-to-one A-Level Ancient History tutoring

Our one-to-one A-Level tutoring is built around your current grade, your target grade and the exam board you are sitting. Each lesson works on your weak topics, drills OCR past-paper questions and walks through mark schemes, so you know exactly how marks are awarded.

A private group for A-Level Ancient History

There is no open group timetable for this subject. If 3 or more of you sign up together, we open a private group course for you. The price per student depends on how many subjects you take, with 30 hours of live lessons in each: 1 subject (30 hours) €1,031, 2 subjects (60 hours) €1,927, 3 subjects (90 hours) €2,689 and 4 subjects (120 hours) €3,496. Each student buys their own place online, and we let you know as soon as your group is ready.

Exam

A-Level Ancient History exam format

Exam boards: OCR

  • Component group 1: Greek (OCR H407/11–13)

    50%

    2 hours 30 minutes, 98 marks. Section A (50 marks): the period study, Relations between Greek states and between Greek and non-Greek states, 492–404 BC. Section B (48 marks): one depth study, The Society and Politics of Sparta, 478–404 BC; The Culture and Politics of Athens, c. 460–c.399 BC; or The Rise of Macedon, c. 359–323 BC.

  • Component group 2: Roman (OCR H407/21–23)

    50%

    2 hours 30 minutes, 98 marks. Section A (50 marks): the period study, The Julio-Claudian Emperors, 31 BC–AD 68. Section B (48 marks): one depth study, The Breakdown of the Late Republic, 88–31 BC; The Flavians, AD 68–96; or Ruling Roman Britain, AD 43–c. 128.

One-to-one A-Level tutoring

A-Level Ancient History Private Tutoring

Private A-Level lessons planned around your exam board's specification, your current grade and the grade you are aiming for. Every lesson is live and online, with a tutor who teaches this subject.

  • A lesson plan built around your exam board and target grade
  • Past-paper questions worked through with the board's mark schemes
  • Exam technique for each paper, from command words to timing
  • Lesson times that fit around your school week

How it works

  1. 1

    Tell us your goal

    We start from your school syllabus, your exam date and the result you are aiming for.

  2. 2

    Your own plan

    We map out the lessons you need, unit by unit.

  3. 3

    Live one-to-one lessons

    Meet your tutor online at times that suit your week.

  4. 4

    Regular progress checks

    Homework and a short check after each lesson show how you are getting on.

Start one-to-one A-Level Ancient History

Per lesson in a package

From €85

Single lesson €90

See all prices

Right for you if you want a plan built around your exam board, flexible lesson times and a tutor's full attention.

Book one-to-one lessons

Before choosing a package, you can book one paid lesson.

Our A-Level tutors began teaching in 2018 or earlier.

  • 100% First-Lesson Money-Back Guarantee

    Not satisfied? Full refund, no questions asked.

    We do not offer free trial lessons. Payment is required before your first lesson.

  • Secure Payments

    Powered by Stripe with 256-bit encryption.

    Stripe

  • Flexible Billing

    Local cards welcome, instalments available.

Lessons cancelled less than 3 hours before the start count as taken. Full terms

Included in lessons

Practice built into your A-Level Ancient History lessons

Every topic you cover in A-Level Ancient History is reinforced with question sets your tutor puts together for you. This programme has no separately sold question bank or practice test.

Mock exams included in the programme
  • Targeted questions on every topic
  • Practice sets built around your weak areas
  • Exam-style practice with past papers and mark schemes
  • Worked solutions and feedback on every question

Syllabus

A-Level Ancient History topics

Topic names are those of the OCR H407 specification; other exam boards order and name them a little differently.

1

Greek period study: Relations between Greek states and between Greek and non-Greek states, 492–404 BC

  • The challenge of the Persian Empire 492–479
  • Greece in conflict 479–446 BC
  • Peace and Conflict 446–431 BC
  • The Archidamian War 431–420 BC
  • The end of the Peloponnesian War and its aftermath 419–404 BC
2

Greek depth studies

  • The Society and Politics of Sparta, 478–404 BC
  • The Culture and Politics of Athens, c. 460–c.399 BC
  • The Rise of Macedon, c. 359–323 BC
3

Roman period study: The Julio-Claudian Emperors, 31 BC–AD 68

  • Augustus 31 BC–AD 14
  • Tiberius AD 14–37
  • Gaius AD 37–41
  • Claudius AD 41–54
  • Nero AD 54–68
4

Roman depth studies

  • The Breakdown of the Late Republic, 88–31 BC
  • The Flavians, AD 68–96
  • Ruling Roman Britain, AD 43–c. 128

Approach

How we teach A-Level Ancient History

Study plan

  1. 1

    Phase 1 — Greek period study

    Year 12: Greek states and Persia, 492–404 BC

    • The five key time spans, from the Persian challenge to the end of the Peloponnesian War
    • Herodotus, Thucydides and Plutarch as prescribed sources
  2. 2

    Phase 2 — Greek depth study

    Year 12: Sparta, Athens or Macedon

    • Detailed evidence and analysis
    • Source-utility practice
  3. 3

    Phase 3 — Roman period + depth

    Year 13: Roman history

    • The Julio-Claudian Emperors, 31 BC–AD 68, plus the chosen depth study
    • Material vs literary evidence
  4. 4

    Phase 4 — Revision + mocks

    Year 13: both papers

    • Interpretation and source-utility question drills
    • Past-paper essay technique
    • Full timed mocks (2 hours 30 minutes each)

How lessons work

  • Source evaluation across types

    Literary sources (Herodotus, Thucydides, Tacitus) and material sources (coins, inscriptions, archaeology) are evaluated with the same rigour.

  • Historiography as engagement

    Top bands engage with modern scholars' arguments rather than citing names.

  • Period + depth balance

    Period studies reward breadth; depth studies reward specific evidence. We drill the two as separate skills.

Advice

A-Level Ancient History: common mistakes and study tips

  • MistakeSources used uncritically.

    FixAncient sources have authorship, audience, agenda. Top bands always evaluate provenance before using a source.

  • MistakeMaterial evidence treated as decoration.

    FixCoins, inscriptions and archaeology are evidence in their own right. Use them as you would a literary source.

  • MistakeEssays without specific evidence.

    FixTop bands need precise dates, named figures and located events. Vague answers under-score.

  • MistakeHistorians' views dropped in as quotes.

    FixIn the interpretation question, identify the historian's argument in the extract, place it in the wider debate and test it against the ancient evidence.

  • MistakeConclusion that doesn't return to the question.

    FixAlways restate a justified judgement on the original question, not a summary.

Study tips

  • Evaluate ancient sources (Herodotus, Thucydides, Tacitus, Suetonius) for both content and reliability, including each writer's purpose and context.
  • Learn the key historical debates the specification lists, such as the cause of the Peloponnesian War in 431 BC or the extent to which Augustus actually restored the Republic: modern historians' views are assessed in the 20-mark interpretation question on each paper.
  • Build a chronological timeline and link events causally.
  • On the depth-study source-utility question, foreground provenance and context.

Ready to raise your A-Level Ancient History grade?

You can start one-to-one A-Level Ancient History lessons with a single lesson. Every package and price is on one page.

  • Live one-to-one lessons online
  • No package needed — book a single lesson
  • Lesson times that fit your school week
Chat on WhatsAppSee all pricesCall us: +44 7862 610215

You can also write to us through our contact page.

Other subjects

Related and other A-Level subjects

Often taken alongside this subject

All A-Level subjects

View All A-Level Subjects
FAQ

A-Level Ancient History Prep — Frequently Asked Questions

The questions students ask most about A-Level Ancient History preparation.

Ancient History uses ancient sources as historical evidence for political, military, social and religious history; Classical Civilisation also covers literature, art and cultural life.

No — all sources are translated. Knowing key terms can help but is not required.

Not for this A-Level: OCR requires no knowledge of Latin or Greek, and the sources are studied in translation. University Classics courses set their own language requirements, so check the entry requirements of each course you are considering.

Yes for classics, ancient history, archaeology, and humanities pathways.

There is no standard figure: it depends on your starting point and which depth studies your school teaches. A Free Intro Call is the place to scope a plan.

OCR: the A-Level is H407, and the stand-alone AS is H007, whose results do not count towards the A-Level. Our teaching follows H407.

The money-back guarantee covers live lessons. If you are not satisfied after your first private lesson, we refund your payment in full. We do not offer free trial lessons. Payment is required before your first lesson.

You can cancel a lesson package at any time. Lessons already given are charged at the single-lesson price and the rest is refunded. The first-lesson guarantee applies on top.

Lessons cancelled less than 3 hours before the start count as taken and are not refunded. A lesson that has not been paid for 3 hours before it starts is cancelled automatically.

A-Level Ancient History reviews

Be the first to review this programme.

Share your experience

Your comment will appear after approval.

Your rating

All TestPrep Europe reviews