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In recent years history has experienced a ‘linguistic turn’ while literary studies have undergone a ‘historical turn’, making this combination of subjects stronger than ever. Knowledge of the past contextualises literary artefacts, while the forensic literary skills of the linguist are vital for interrogating historical documents. Historians have to be aware of genre, plot and rhetorical techniques in the creation both of their sources and their own arguments, while linguists need to appreciate the social and political concerns that are woven into literary works. This degree brings these two skill sets together.
Oxford has a long and enduring commitment to the teaching of European history and European languages, leading to a particularly rich environment in terms of staff expertise, library resources, language training and overseas contacts. The fullness and variety of the curriculum means that students can combine papers from the two faculties in stimulating ways. The two parts come together most directly in a bridge essay, where students can make their own innovative contributions.
HML Careers
Employers value language skills combined with the many transferable skills of a History and Modern Languages degree.
Recent graduates from this course are employed in international institutions such as the UN and the EU, by NGOs as well as by national governments. They work in the media, publishing, law, banking, consultancy, teaching, research, commercial industry and many other sectors.
Matthew, now an investment manager, says: ‘I enjoyed the sheer variety and choice of a History and Modern Languages degree. I benefit hugely in my professional life from the skills I learned from historical argument and literary criticism, not to mention the ability to speak French. Every time I tell my clients how politics and financial markets might affect their investments, I draw on the analytical and presentational skills I acquired at Oxford.’
Your week’s work will include:
- tutorials in history and in the literature and culture of the language you study
- language classes involving different skills, eg translation, oral and grammar
- about three or four lectures for each subject
- preparing essays for your weekly tutorials.
1st year | |
Courses Six courses are taken: History
Modern Language
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Assessment First University examinations: |
2nd and 4th years (3rd year spent abroad) | |
Courses
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- 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.
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.