Classics and English

Classics and English appeals to those interested in the interactions of historically diverse literary cultures. English may be taken with Latin or Greek or both. Course I is for candidates with an A-level or equivalent in either Latin or Greek or both: this is a three-year course. Course II is for those who have not had the opportunity to study either language at school or college. It includes a preliminary year, in which students learn Latin or Greek alongside some study of classical literature, so this course lasts four years.

Oxford has a long and distinguished tradition of research and teaching in both Classics and English, and possesses remarkable library provision in both subjects.

The first year of the course (which follows the preliminary year of language learning for those taking Course II) is divided between the classical and English elements. The highlight of the Classics and English course is the link papers, which are studied over the second and third years. They provide an opportunity to compare texts from both sides of the course and to study classical influence. Further papers are also chosen from each of the ‘parent’ subjects.

C&E Careers                   

Many graduates in Classics and English have entered fields such as teaching, the media, management, advertising and librarianship, or have continued to further study in their subject.

Philip is now a writer. He says: ‘Since graduating I have embarked on a career in writing and journalism. I have published two novels, and write for a wide range of magazines and papers, and am a Contributing Editor to Literary Review, the Periscope Post and Port. My degree helped me develop the analytical, presentational and linguistic skills that are paramount in the media world.’

Students usually have two tutorials a week, plus language classes. They are often (but not always) working on two papers simultaneously. Most students attend three to four lectures a week and produce around twelve pieces of written work during a term.

This table is a summary of Course I. In Course II students have a preliminary year studying Latin or Greek, and then follow the structure outlined below.

• Attestat o Srednam Obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary Education) would not be sufficient for candidates to make a competitive application. If your qualification is listed as being insufficient to make a competitive application to Oxford, then you will need to undertake further study if you wish to apply.You could take British A-levels (the British Council may know where you can take A-levels in your country), the International Baccalaureate (IB), or any other qualifications listed as acceptable on this page. The first year of a bachelor's degree from another university could also be an acceptable alternative.
• IELTS: overall score of 7.0 (with at least 7.0 in each of the four components)
• TOEFL (paper-based): overall score of 600 with a Test of Written English score of 5.5
• TOEFL (internet-based): overall score of 110 with component scores of at least: Listening 22, Reading 24, Speaking 25, and Writing 24.
• Cambridge English: Advanced, also known as the Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): grade A if taken before January 2015, or a score of at least 185.
• Cambridge English: Proficiency, also known as the Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): grade B if taken before January 2015, or a score of at least 185.
• English Language GCSE, or O-level: grade B (for IGCSE, please see below)
• International Baccalaureate Standard Level (SL): score of 5 in English (as Language A or B)
• European Baccalaureate: score of 70% in English.

Want to improve your English level for admission?
Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• Flexible study schedule
• Experienced teachers
• Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Hill Foundation Scholarship

Russian nationals wishing to study for a second undergraduate degree. 

Palgrave Brown Scholarship

Students must be ordinarily resident in and/or educated in the following countries:

Albania; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Belarus; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bulgaria; Croatia; Czech Republic; Estonia; Georgia; Hungary; Kazakhstan; Kyrgyz Rep.; Latvia; Lithuania; Macedonia;  Moldova; Montenegro; Poland; Romania; Russia; Serbia; Slovakia; Slovenia; Tajikistan; Turkmenistan; Ukraine; Uzbekistan.