History and English

A joint degree in History and English requires students to think critically about how we define ‘history’ and ‘literature’, and about how the two disciplines interrelate and, in large measure, overlap. Close attention is given to changing methodologies, to the nature of evidence and to styles of argument. It is assumed that historical documents are just as much ‘texts’ as are poems, plays or novels, and are therefore subject to interpretation as works of narrative, rhetoric and, fundamentally, language. Equally, it is assumed that poems, plays and novels represent historically grounded ways of interpreting a culture.

The History and English Faculties are the largest in Britain, with long and distinguished traditions of teaching and research. Students are offered a great deal of choice in the course over their three years, and whether their interests are in the medieval period, the Renaissance or the later periods, intellectually fruitful combinations are always possible.

The course structure at Oxford is intended to enable students to relate literary and historical ideas as effectively as possible in the investigation of their chosen historical periods, topics or authors, while recognising that some students will wish to opt for variety rather than close congruity between their historical and literary papers. Interdisciplinarity is embedded in each year of the course with dedicated classes in the first year as part of the Introduction to English Language and Literature paper, a ‘bridge paper’ taken in the second year and examined by extended essay, and an interdisciplinary dissertation in the final year.

Oxford possesses unmatched library provision for both subjects in the Bodleian Library, the History Faculty and English Faculty libraries, other faculty libraries, and the college libraries.

By studying this degree you will acquire a range of skills valued by recruiters including: the ability to work independently, to evaluate the significance of evidence and to present arguments clearly and persuasively. Recent graduates from this course have worked in the media, legal professions, public administration, teaching and financial careers. 

Jo, who graduated in 2008, says: "Since graduating, I have worked in the City in both finance and law. I joined the London office of Skadden Arps, a US firm, in September 2011 as a trainee solicitor."

Students interested in this course might also like to consider Archaeology and Anthropology, Classical Archaeology and Ancient History, other English courses, History courses or History of Art.