History and Modern Languages

This course allows you to study subjects in History and a European language which relate to each other significantly. An interest in 19th century French literature, for example, might be reinforced by the study of French and European historical options in the same period, or an interest in medieval Italian history can be enriched by a study of Dante. Not only can the literature be related to its historical context, but the agenda of the historians can also be reassessed by engagement with literary methods.

The richness and variety of the cultural and intellectual topics pursued in the two faculties make possible exciting and intellectually innovative combinations. Students undertaking this kind of joint degree therefore regularly make genuinely original contributions.

Employers value language skills combined with the many transferable skills of a History and Modern Languages degree. The Languages Work website has further information about careers using languages: www.languageswork.org.uk.

Recent graduates from this course now work in the media, publishing, and other commercial fields, and include a solicitor and a management consultant. Virginia, who graduated in 1976, is now an editor in educational languages publishing. She says: ‘My fascination with languages was developed at Oxford; and I believe that my self-motivation, determination and self-confidence were honed by the tutorial system.’

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.