StudyQA — Bachelor: Classics and Modern Languages

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Description Contents Requirements Funding

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. Some papers on offer provide an opportunity to compare texts from both sides of the course, and to study classical influence on modern European literature.

Oxford has the largest Classics department in the world, and the Modern Languages Faculty is also one of the largest in the country, with a major research library and a well-equipped Language Centre. Undergraduates also develop oral proficiency in the modern language by regular contact with native speakers.

CML Careers

Careers for CML graduates include the media, teaching, acting, management, advertising and librarianship, as well as working with international companies or organisations. Recent Classics and Modern Languages graduates include an investment manager and a trainee solicitor.

A typical weekly timetable

Your time is divided between lectures, language classes, tutorials and private study. Most of your work will be in preparation of essays for your tutorials and classes, although independent language work and systematic reading, not necessarily aimed at any particular tutorial, also requires a considerable input of time and effort.

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 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.)

Option A
1st year (Course I) or 1st and 2nd year (Course II)
Course II students spend a preliminary year studying Latin or Greek, then follow Course I Courses Translation from the ancient language(s) into English (one paper) Literature in the ancient language or languages (two papers) Practical language work for the modern language (two papers) Literature in your modern language (two papers)	Assessment First University examinations: Three papers in the ancient language; four papers in the modern language
Option B
1st and 2nd year (terms 1–5)
Courses As for Classics (see entry for Classics (page 54) 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 1 Course I), 6–12 (Option 2), or 7–12 (Option 1 Course II)
Courses Classics (three/four papers): a core paper in Latin or in Greek literature, two or three Classics options Modern Language (four/five papers) Possibility of a paper or a long essay exploring the links between ancient and modern literatures The options listed above are illustrative and may change. More information about current options is available on the Classics and Modern Languages websites.

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.