Ancient history A-level is to be saved from the scrapheap after a high-profile campaign calling for it to continue.
The last exam board in England to offer the subject, OCR, has decided not to abandon the course after pressure from ministers and academics.
Classicists, including shadow education minister Boris Johnson, argued pupils would be denied the chance to study the Roman Empire and ancient Greece.
OCR said it was responding to demands from teachers and academics.
"Today's announcement is a triumph. Veni, vidi, vici."
The exam board had been proposing to scrap the qualification as a separate A-level from 2008.
Only 530 students are currently studying for the exam this year.
Elements of the old ancient history exam were to be taken into a new classical civilisation A-level.
A spokeswoman said: "We have had quite a demand, mainly from the teaching community, who really want the qualification to continue.
"We are now working with the Joint Association of Classical Teachers to make the qualification more attractive."
In a joint statement with the association, OCR said they would be working together to ensure it is offered to students alongside its other Classics A-levels.
However, there is a some doubt whether the qualification will be ready in time.
The move comes after schools minister Lord Adonis said he was unhappy with plans to scrap it.
'Delighted'
During a Lords debate, he said: "All periods of history, from the ancient to the modern, can inspire our young people to study the subject, opening them up to skills that are essential in today's world as well a vital understanding of our past.
"The government is not content to see the end of ancient history as a single A-level and has invited the exam boards to come forward with proposals for it to continue."
Mr Johnson, who had argued the subject covered events that were critical in shaping our civilisation, said he was delighted with the news.
"We need a proper ancient history A-level, as well as proper A-levels in Latin and Greek, not a pic-n-mix mish-mash which will inevitably weaken the study of classics.
"Today's announcement is a triumph. Veni, vidi, vici."
Mr Johnson had joined pupils from London's Godolphin and Latymer school in a toga-wearing protest outside the House of Commons earlier this week.
A DfES spokesman welcomed the move, saying: "Retaining this A-level means that future years of school children will be able to develop a detailed understanding of our society's ancient history and translate that knowledge into today's world."
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