Modern and Medieval Languages

Modern and Medieval Languages at the University of Cambridge offers an intellectually stimulating and comprehensive program dedicated to the study of languages, literature, and cultures of the modern and medieval worlds. This course provides students with the opportunity to develop advanced language skills in one or more of a wide variety of languages, including but not limited to French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, and many others. Students will engage deeply with the literary, historical, and cultural contexts of their chosen languages, gaining a nuanced understanding of the societies that produced them.

The program emphasizes developing proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, preparing students for careers that require high-level language competence and intercultural understanding. Students are encouraged to explore the literary works, philosophical ideas, historical developments, and media of their selected regions, fostering critical thinking and analytical skills. The course structure combines language training with specialized modules in literature, history, politics, or film studies, allowing students to tailor their studies according to their interests.

Throughout the course, students participate in seminars, lectures, and language workshops designed to enhance their communication skills and cultural awareness. The program also offers opportunities for immersion through study abroad placements, internships, and collaborative projects. Studying at Cambridge provides access to world-class libraries, digital resources, and a vibrant academic community that supports research and learning.

Graduates of the Modern and Medieval Languages program often pursue careers in academia, translation, diplomacy, journalism, international business, and cultural management. The program prepares students for the globalized workplace by equipping them with multilingual capabilities, cultural sensitivity, and a deep understanding of the social and historical contexts of their languages. The combination of rigorous language training with interdisciplinary exploration makes this program ideal for students passionate about languages, cultures, and international affairs, seeking a challenging and rewarding academic journey at one of the world's leading universities.

Teaching is made up of lectures, seminars, language classes, intensive oral work in small groups, and supervisions. For your supervisions, you prepare written work which you then discuss with a specialist in the field. In your first year, you can generally expect around 12-14 hours of teaching each week.

You’re assessed at the end of each year, primarily through written and oral examinations, and the submission of an extended research project (usually a dissertation) at the end of Year 3. You may also offer a second dissertation instead of one of the Part II written examination papers.

Year 1 (Part IA)

Developing your language skills

You study two languages, at least one at post-A Level/IB Higher Level standard. You should indicate which languages you’re interested in studying in your Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ). The choice isn’t final, and many students change their mind before (or after) they start.

The main emphasis in Year 1 is on developing your language skills, taught by a range of methods including Faculty classes of up to 15 students, and supervisions in groups of two or three. You also take an introductory paper in which you explore three or more of the following topics:

• literature
• linguistics
• history
• thought
• film
• art

Year 2 (Part IB)

In your second year, you take five papers in total. You continue intensive language study with the aim of acquiring native or near-native fluency in both languages, and choose from a wide range of papers covering topics such as:

• literature
• history
• linguistics
• film
• thought
• art
• an introduction to a language and culture you haven’t studied before

You have the option to replace one exam with coursework in the second year.

Years 3 and 4 (Part II)

Specialisation and options

Year 3

In the third year, you spend at least eight months abroad, during which time you prepare a project that counts as one sixth of your final mark. This can be a dissertation, a translation project or a linguistics project.

Just before the fourth year starts, you take an oral examination back in Cambridge.

Year 4

You take six papers and are free to specialise in one language, to combine options from two or more languages, to take comparative options and/or to take up to two options from certain other courses (eg English, History).

You do advanced language work and focus on topics such as literature, linguistics, thought, history, film etc in one or two of your languages.

There are also a number of comparative papers on offer which allows you to combine the study of both of your languages. These currently include papers on European film, the body, and the linguistics of the Germanic, Romance, and Slavonic language families. Many students replace one of their written papers with a further dissertation (currently 8,000-10,000 words).

• All applicants to the University of Cambridge must submit an application to UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) by the relevant deadline.
• The Attestat o (polnom) Srednem Obshchem Obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary Education) is not considered to be suitable preparation for a competitive application to the University of Cambridge. We strongly recommend that you undertake further study if you wish to apply for an undergraduate degree. Examples of the qualifications that would be considered suitable for admission to Cambridge are A Levels, the International Baccalaureate (IB), five or more Advanced Placement (AP) courses, or possibly the first year of an undergraduate degree at a university outside the UK. We recommend that you contact the College that you wish to apply to directly for further advice and guidance.
• IELTS – normally a minimum overall grade of 7.5, usually with 7.0 or above in each element.
• Cambridge English: Advanced – grade A or B.
• Cambridge English: Proficiency – grade A, B or C.

Admission assessment

All applicants for MML are required to take a written assessment at interview, if interviewed.

Assessment format

• Discursive response in Foreign Language (40 minutes)
• Discursive response in English (20 minutes)

 Modern and Medieval Languages Admissions Assessment Specification
 Modern and Medieval Languages Admissions Assessment 2016

You do not need to register or be registered in advance for the assessment at interview – the Colleges provide details of arrangements in the letters inviting applicants to interview.

Applicants wishing to combine a modern European language with Classical Latin or Classical Greek will have their classical language assessed during the interview, in addition to the MML written assessment.

Please note that your performance in the assessment(s) at interview will not be considered in isolation, but will be taken into account alongside the other elements of your application.

The University of Cambridge offers a comprehensive range of financing options to support students enrolled in the Modern and Medieval Languages program. Students are encouraged to explore various funding opportunities to help offset the costs of tuition fees, living expenses, books, and other educational materials. The university provides publicly funded scholarships, bursaries, and grants awarded based on academic merit, financial need, or a combination of both. For domestic students (UK residents), there are specific Government-backed loan schemes such as Tuition Fee Loans, which cover the full cost of university fees, and Maintenance Loans, designed to assist with living expenses during the course duration. International students are typically responsible for funding their tuition fees and living costs, but the university offers a limited number of scholarships for international applicants, including the Cambridge International Scholarships and College-specific awards.

Students are also encouraged to seek external funding sources, including government sponsorships from their home countries, private scholarships, and charitable organizations. The university’s financial aid office provides detailed guidance on eligibility and application procedures for various funding schemes. Additionally, students may consider part-time work opportunities available on or near campus to supplement their income. Cambridge’s collegiate system often offers bursaries and financial support programs specific to each college, which can further assist with additional expenses. The university also provides financial planning advice and resources to help students budget effectively over the course of their studies.

Applicants are advised to carefully review the specific funding options relevant to their circumstances and apply early, as many scholarships and bursaries have strict deadlines. The university’s commitment is to ensure that highly qualified students can pursue their academic ambitions regardless of financial background, promoting a diverse and inclusive learning environment. In summary, Cambridge’s financing studies program encompasses a robust collection of funding sources, combining institutional aid, government loans, scholarships, and personal income strategies tailored to meet the needs of Modern and Medieval Languages students.

Your living expenses may be higher than for a Home student (eg if you stay in Cambridge/the UK during vacations). The minimum resources needed in Cambridge for the year (excluding tuition and College fees) are estimated to be approximately £10,080 in 2017-18 and £10,310 in 2018-19, depending on lifestyle (you should allow for increases in future years).