Classics and Modern Languages
 | UCAS code | See course combinations |  | Duration | 4 or 5 years with year abroad (BA) |
 | Entrance requirements | AAA (in Latin and Greek if taken) |  | Subject requirements | Latin and/or Greek (for Course I only), and a modern language (depending on course choice) |
 | Admissions test(s) | ox.ac.uk/cat ox.ac.uk/mlat | | Written work | Two/four pieces |
 | Admissions statistics* | Interviewed: 79% |  | Contact | +44 (0) 1865 288391 |
Subject requirements: Essential Recommended Helpful – may be useful on course
Please note that there may be no data available if the number of course participants is very small.
Classics and Modern Languages enables you to combine study of Latin and/or Ancient Greek with a modern language. The course involves extensive study of major literary texts, alongside training in linguistic skills. The Greeks and Romans were active in all the countries covered by the available languages. Not only does studying this course help to give students greater access to the ancient cultures, it is also a chance to examine how classical literature and culture have shaped their modern counterparts. Some options provide an opportunity to directly compare texts from both sides of the course, focusing on classical influence on modern European literature.
Oxford has the largest Classics Faculty in the world, and the Medieval and Modern Languages Faculty is one of the largest in the country, with a major research library, the Taylor Institution, and a well-equipped Language Centre. Undergraduates have access to the Sackler and Bodleian Libraries, the Ashmolean Museum and a dedicated Classics Centre. Students develop oral proficiency in the modern language by regular contact with native speakers.
International opportunities
Classics and Modern Languages students spend a compulsory year abroad. Past opportunities abroad have typically included working as a paid language assistant in a school, undertaking an internship and/or studying at a University, all of which provide valuable experiences for improving language competence. However, for students choosing to undertake activity in Europe, please note that the types and nature of activities available may be subject to variation as arrangements relating to the UK’s departure from the EU are progressed.
The University is working with European partners to seek to maintain the opportunities available to its students on the same terms as previously, and is committed to ensuring that funding arrangements remain similar to those for previous years, as far as reasonably possible. As negotiations relating to the UK’s departure from the EU advance, the availability of paid work in the EU, and the types or terms of work available for students undertaking their year abroad, may vary. You can find the latest information here. Students will be kept informed of any developments relating to year abroad arrangements as these become clearer.
Students are also encouraged to spend as much of their vacations as possible in the countries whose languages they are studying.
In certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to a course’s requirements for international study. Students who consider that they may be affected are asked to contact their department for advice.
Funding during the year abroad
Some year abroad activities may provide a salary. Students can apply for a living costs grant, subject to the UK’s continued participation in the Erasmus+ programme or an equivalent framework. In the event that agency funding is not made available for Erasmus+ activity following the UK’s departure from the EU, the University has committed to providing living costs grants on a similar basis to current Erasmus+ grants. However, some costs related to year abroad activity may increase following the UK’s departure from the EU. You can find the latest information here.
Currently, eligible UK students can continue to access living costs funding from the UK government (Student Finance agencies) during their year abroad. However, the level of government funding available to UK students on a year abroad may vary as a result of the UK’s departure from the EU. UK students from lower-income households with means-tested assessments will remain eligible for Oxford’s generous bursary provision. Travel grants may be available through your college and/or the Faculty. For students who experience particular difficulties related to their year abroad, some hardship funds are also available from the Faculty, and, for UK students with a shortfall in their finances, the University’s Student Support Fund can provide additional assistance.
 | “There’s a strong emphasis on literature in both halves of this degree, but the authors you choose to study can be virtually any from classical to medieval to modern. There’s a chance to look at other disciplines, too, like history, archaeology, philosophy or linguistics. Classical influences can be found in all sorts of places, which means you often pick things up quicker in modern languages too. One of the great opportunities the degree offers is the year abroad. I spent nine months working for a charity in Argentina teaching English. I know some have used the time to visit more than one place, or combine volunteering and work.” |
A typical week
Your time is divided between lectures, tutorials and private study. The working week is typically structured around two tutorials in different subjects. Most of your independent work will be in preparation of essays for your tutorials, although systematic language-learning and reading of texts will also require considerable time and effort. Much of the teaching will take place in your college, but lectures are given in the Classics Faculty, the Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages and the Examination Schools. For particular subjects you may also work with tutors from other colleges.
Tutorials are usually up to four students and a tutor. Seminar and language class sizes may vary depending on the options you choose or the language you are studying, but there would usually be no more than around 20 students and would often be much smaller. Most tutorials, classes, and lectures are delivered by staff who are tutors in their subject. Many are world-leading experts with years of experience in teaching and research. Some teaching may also be delivered by postgraduate students who are usually studying at doctorate level.
Course structure
Two routes through the course, called ‘options’, are available to CML students. This is separate from whether you will study Course I (if you have studied Latin and/or Greek to A-level standard or equivalent) or Course II (if you have not). You will be asked which route you wish to take only after you have applied to Oxford. The two routes are identical in their last two years, and lead to the same final exams; they differ only in their first one or two years.
Option A divides its time evenly between Classics (mostly language and literature) and Modern Languages. This option (also known as the ‘Prelims route’, because you will take a Preliminary Examination similar to that taken by Classics and English or Modern Languages students) lasts three years for Course I students, and four years for Course II students. (With the year abroad, this makes a total of four or five years.)
Option B begins with a focus on Classics. For the first five terms, students take all the same options in Greek and/or Latin language, literature, ancient history, archaeology, philology and ancient or modern philosophy as are available to students of Classics. This option (also known as the ‘Mods route’, because you will take Honour Moderations (first exams) in Classics identical to those taken by Classics students) lasts four years for students on both Course I and Course II. (With the year abroad, this makes a total of five years.)
To find out more about how our teaching year is structured, visit our Academic Year page.
| OPTION A YEAR 1 (COURSE I) or YEARS 1 AND 2 (COURSE II) | |
Course II students spend a preliminary year studying Latin or Greek, then follow Course I COURSES
| ASSESSMENT First University examinations: three papers in the ancient language; four papers in the modern language |
| OPTION B YEARS 1 AND 2 (TERMS 1–5) | |
COURSES As for Classics for the first five terms. Course II students follow Classics Course II. In addition, undergraduates normally maintain their modern language through language classes. | ASSESSMENT First University examinations in Classics: ten papers |
| OPTIONS A AND B (plus intercalated year abroad) TERMS 4–9 (OPTION A, COURSE I), 6–12 (OPTION B), or 7–12 (OPTION A, COURSE II) | |
COURSES
| ASSESSMENT Final University examinations: nine papers in total (eight compulsory, one optional) plus oral exam in the modern language. A thesis may be offered in place of one of the compulsory papers in Classics. |
The options listed above are illustrative and may change. More information about current options is available on the Classics and Modern Languages websites. | |
The content and format of this course may change in some circumstances. Read further information about potential course changes.
Academic requirements
| A-levels: | AAA (with As in Latin and Greek, if taken) |
| Advanced Highers: | AA/AAB (with A in Latin, if taken) |
| IB: | 39 (including core points) with 666 at HL |
| Or any other equivalent (see other UK qualifications, and international qualifications) | |
Wherever possible, your grades are considered in the context in which they have been achieved. (See further information on how we use contextual data.)
Subject requirements
| Course I or II Candidates are not required to have studied Greek or Latin at the point of application. Course I is designed for candidates with Greek and/or Latin to A-level, Advanced Higher, Higher Level in the IB or equivalent. Course II is tailored for candidates without an A-level or other qualifications in either Greek or Latin. Classics II candidates would usually be expected to have studied the modern language before, or to speak it at home or school. | |
| For Classics and French, German, Russian and Spanish | |
| Essential: | Candidates would usually be expected to have the language to A-level, Advanced Higher, Higher Level in the IB or another academic equivalent. |
| For Classics and Czech/Beginners' Czech, Italian/Beginners' Italian, Modern Greek/Beginners' Modern Greek and Portuguese/Beginners' Portuguese | |
| Essential: | Candidates may apply with an A-level or equivalent in the relevant language or for a beginners’ course, which allows students to start studying one of these languages from scratch. Beginners’ courses are not available to Course II candidates, who will be taking a beginners’ course in Ancient Greek or Latin. |
If, and only if, you have chosen to take any science A-levels, we expect you to take and pass the practical component in addition to meeting any overall grade requirement.
If English is not your first language you may also need to meet our English language requirements.
Applying
All candidates must follow the application procedure as shown in applying to Oxford. The information below gives specific details for students applying for this course.
Admissions test
| Test: | CAT and MLAT |
| Test date: | 4 November 2020 |
| Registration deadline: | 6pm 15 October 2020 |
All candidates must take both the Classics Admissions Test (CAT) and the Modern Languages Admissions Tests (MLAT), as part of their application. Separate registration for each test is required and it is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure that they are registered for these tests. We strongly recommend making the arrangements in plenty of time before the deadline. Everything you need to know, including guidance on how to prepare, can be found on the CAT page and the MLAT page.
Written work
| Description: | Please check the written work requirements for both Classics and for Modern Languages. You will see that candidates are required to submit a piece of written work in English for the Modern Languages part of the course (along with work in the chosen Modern Language). If you would like to use one of the same pieces that you submit for Classics, please send us two copies of this piece of work. |
| Submission deadline: | 10 November 2020 |
For general guidance, see our further guidance on the submission of written work.
What are tutors looking for?
Successful candidates will be expected to display competence in Latin or Greek (or general language aptitude if applying for Course II). Tutors in both Classics and Modern Languages are also looking for potential and an enquiring mind, as well as real commitment to this wide-ranging subject.
Careers
Careers for CML graduates include the media, teaching, acting, management, the law, publishing, advertising and librarianship, as well as working with international companies or organisations. Liliana says: ‘I chose to do a Joint Schools degree in Classics and French as I was interested in Europe, its languages, and its classical heritage. Moreover, the breadth of the degree was very attractive, especially for interdisciplinary research ... I often found myself drawing on my previous knowledge and skills, especially with regard to untranslated texts and reworkings of classical material. Plus, the range of subjects I’d studied earlier meant I was ever ready to explore new fields and languages.
I now work in China as a television presenter for programmes on Chinese society, politics and culture. The meticulous linguistic training from my degrees was first-rate preparation for tackling the puzzle of Chinese characters, while studying the classical and medieval worlds left me ready to take on the rich unfamiliarity of Chinese traditions. My earlier studies have led to all sorts of new intellectual adventures — whether reporting in Tiananmen Square on the history of the Silk Road, doing a live broadcast in Chinese while paragliding in Guizhou, interviewing world leaders at the Asian Davos, or presenting on endangered minority communities in Sichuan. Studying the European past gave me, paradoxically, the right tools for understanding the Chinese present.'
Oxford University is committed to recruiting the best and brightest students from all backgrounds. We offer a generous package of financial support to Home/Republic of Ireland students from lower-income households. (UK nationals living in the UK are usually Home students.)
Further information for EU students starting in 2021 is available here.
Fees
These annual fees are for full-time students who begin this undergraduate course here in 2021.
Fee status | Annual Course fees |
| Home (UK, Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands & Isle of Man) | £9,250 |
| Overseas (including EU) | £31,230 |
For more information please refer to our course fees page. Fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on likely increases to fees and charges.
EU applicants should refer to our dedicated webpage for details of the implications of the UK’s departure from the European Union.
Living costs
Living costs at Oxford might be less than you’d expect, as our world-class resources and college provision can help keep costs down.
Living costs for the academic year starting in 2021 are estimated to be between £1,175 and £1,710 for each month you are in Oxford. Our academic year is made up of three eight-week terms, so you would not usually need to be in Oxford for much more than six months of the year but may wish to budget over a nine-month period to ensure you also have sufficient funds during the holidays to meet essential costs. For further details please visit our living costs webpage.
Financial support
Home/Republic of Ireland | A tuition fee loan is available from the UK government to cover course fees in full for Home (UK) and Republic of Ireland students undertaking their first undergraduate degree*, so you don’t need to pay your course fees up front. In 2021 Oxford is offering one of the most generous bursary packages of any UK university to UK/Republic of Ireland students with a family income of around £42,875 or less, with additional opportunities available to UK students from households with incomes of £27,500 or less. This support is available in addition to the government living costs support. See further details. |
Islands | Islands students are entitled to different support to that of students from the rest of the UK. Please refer the links below for information on the support to you available from your funding agency: |
Overseas | Please refer to the "Other Scholarships" section of our Oxford Bursaries and Scholarships page. |
*If you have studied at undergraduate level before and completed your course, you will be classed as an Equivalent or Lower Qualification student (ELQ) and won’t be eligible to receive government or Oxford funding
Additional Fees and Charges Information for Classics and Modern Languages
During the year abroad, students currently pay significantly reduced fees to the University. For example, for students going on their year abroad in 2021, who started an undergraduate course from 2019, the course fees are:
- Home/Republic of Ireland/Islands students: £1,385 for the year.
- International students: £10,620 for the year.
We recommend that students begin to research their year abroad options – including the financial implications – as early as possible in the second year of the course. There is plenty of support, information and advice to help you.
Actual costs (such as course fees) and living costs will vary depending on the destination and the activity undertaken. Some of the costs relating to year abroad activity may be subject to variation as arrangements relating to the UK’s departure from the EU are progressed. See here for the latest information. You will need to pay for living costs during the year abroad, including accommodation and travel expenses.
Some year abroad activities may provide a salary. A living costs grant may also be available, subject to the UK’s participation in the Erasmus+ Programme or equivalent framework. UK students can continue to access government funding for living costs, and those from lower-income households who are means-tested will remain eligible for generous bursaries from Oxford. Travel grants and financial assistance towards funding shortfalls may also be available through your college, the faculty and the University.
At present, students taking part in Erasmus+ study exchanges do not pay tuition fees to other institutions, though for some destinations, additional charges, which apply to all students at that institution, may be payable. Following the UK’s departure from the EU, the University’s participation in the Erasmus+ programme or equivalent framework is not guaranteed. The University is committed to working with partner institutions to seek to maintain arrangements relating to fees and charges on the same terms as previously, as far as possible. If you study outside Erasmus+ (or equivalent framework) you will be liable to pay course fees and any other applicable charges to the relevant institution, as is currently the case.
You can find the latest information about the Erasmus+ programme at Oxford, on our Erasmus webpage.
Please note, some costs related to year abroad activity may be subject to some variation as arrangements relating to the UK’s decision to leave the EU are progressed.
Contextual information
Course data from Discover Uni provides applicants with statistics about undergraduate life at Oxford. But there is so much more to an Oxford degree that the numbers can’t convey.
The Oxford tutorial
College tutorials are central to teaching at Oxford. Typically, they take place in your college and are led by your academic tutor(s) who teach as well as do their own research. Students will also receive teaching in a variety of other ways, depending on the course. This will include lectures and classes, and may include laboratory work and fieldwork. However, tutorials offer a level of personalised attention from academic experts unavailable at most universities.
During tutorials (normally lasting an hour), college subject tutors will give you and one or two tutorial partners feedback on prepared work and cover a topic in depth. The other student(s) in your college tutorials will be from your year group, doing the same course as you and will normally be at your college. Such regular and rigorous academic discussion develops and facilitates learning in a way that isn’t possible through lectures alone. Tutorials also allow for close progress monitoring so tutors can quickly provide additional support if necessary.
Read more about tutorials and an Oxford education
College life
Our colleges are at the heart of Oxford’s reputation as one of the best universities in the world.
- At Oxford, everyone is a member of a college as well as their subject department(s) and the University. Students therefore have both the benefits of belonging to a large, renowned institution and to a small and friendly academic community. Each college or hall is made up of academic and support staff, and students. Colleges provide a safe, supportive environment leaving you free to focus on your studies, enjoy time with friends and make the most of the huge variety of opportunities.
- Each college has a unique character, but generally their facilities are similar. Each one, large or small, will have the following essential facilities:
- Porters’ lodge (a staffed entrance and reception)
- Dining hall
- Lending library (often open 24/7 in term time)
- Student accommodation
- Tutors’ teaching rooms
- Chapel and/or music rooms
- Laundry
- Green spaces
- Common room (known as the JCR).
- All first year students are offered college accommodation either on the main site of their college or in a nearby college annexe. This means that your neighbours will also be ‘freshers’ and new to life at Oxford. This accommodation is guaranteed, so you don’t need to worry about finding somewhere to live after accepting a place here, all of this is organised for you before you arrive.
- All colleges offer at least one further year of accommodation and some offer it for the entire duration of your degree. You may choose to take up the option to live in your college for the whole of your time at Oxford, or you might decide to arrange your own accommodation after your first year – perhaps because you want to live with friends from other colleges.
- While college academic tutors primarily support your academic development, you can also ask their advice on other things. Lots of other college staff including welfare officers help students settle in and are available to offer guidance on practical or health matters. Current students also actively support students in earlier years, sometimes as part of a college ‘family’ or as peer supporters trained by the University’s Counselling Service.
COURSE COMBINATIONS
| Classics I or II and: | |
| Czech | QR87 |
| French | QR81 |
| German | QR82 |
| Modern Greek | QQ87 |
| Italian | QR83 |
| Portuguese | QR85 |
| Russian | QRV7 |
| Spanish | QR84 |
| Classics I and Beginners': | |
| Czech | Q8R7 |
| Modern Greek | QR8Y |
| Italian | QR38 |
| Portuguese | QR8N |
Find out more
See the latest Open Day information
Related pages
FEEL INSPIRED?
Want to find out more about the the ancient world? Why not explore some websites which have excellent links to historical and archaeological materials, such as the British Museum or Oxford’s own Ashmolean Museum. You could also have a look at BBC Radio 4's archives, for example for the programme In Our Time which covers material from Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. There are also many social media sites which you can have a look at such as Classics Confidential and Classics Outreach.