Philosophy and Modern Languages

The Philosophy and Modern Languages undergraduate degree at the University of Oxford offers an academically rigorous and intellectually stimulating programme that combines the study of philosophical thought with the mastery of one or more modern languages. This interdisciplinary course is designed for students who have a passion for understanding fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, ethics, and meaning, alongside a keen interest in exploring contemporary culture, literature, and society through linguistic skills. Throughout the degree, students engage with a diverse array of texts, ideas, and discourses from both philosophical traditions and modern linguistic and cultural contexts. The Philosophy component covers core areas such as metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, logic, and the history of philosophy, allowing students to develop critical thinking, reasoning, and argumentative skills. Concurrently, the Modern Languages part offers intensive language instruction, developing proficiency in spoken and written forms, as well as cultural understanding of the countries associated with the chosen languages. Students often choose from a broad spectrum of modern languages, including French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, or others, depending on availability. The programme emphasizes writing essays, participating in discussions, and engaging with original texts in their original languages, thus cultivating analytical and communicative competencies. This dual focus prepares graduates for diverse career paths, including academia, public service, journalism, diplomacy, or international business. The course is supported by distinguished faculty members who are experts in their fields, providing personalized supervision and fostering an environment of intellectual curiosity. Studying at Oxford also means benefiting from the university’s extensive resources, vibrant academic community, and access to unique research collections. The Philosophy and Modern Languages degree aims to produce well-rounded individuals capable of critical analysis, cross-cultural understanding, and articulate expression, equipping students with skills that are highly valued in many professional contexts. Overall, this programme offers a comprehensive, challenging, and enriching academic experience for students eager to explore profound philosophical questions while mastering the languages and cultures of the modern world.

Your work is divided between tutorials (one or two weekly), lectures (about six hours weekly) and classes (first-year logic, language classes throughout the course: about two to three hours weekly). The rest of your week will be spent in private study to prepare essays for tutorials and improve your command of your language.

• 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.

For Philosophy
Candidates are not required to have any experience of studying Philosophy though some background reading is highly recommended.

For French, German, Russian and Spanish
Candidates would usually be expected to have the language to A-level, Advanced Higher, Higher Level in the IB or another academic equivalent. 

For Czech, Italian, Modern Greek and Portuguese
Please note there are different course codes for these languages, depending on whether you are applying with an A-level or equivalent in the relevant language, or if you are applying for a beginners’ course. Beginners’ courses allow students to start studying one of these languages from scratch.

All candidates must also take the Modern Languages Admissions Tests (MLAT) as part of their application (including a Philosophy test). Please see how to apply for further details. We expect you to have taken and passed any practical component in your chosen science subjects.

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. 

The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Modern Languages at the University of Oxford offers a comprehensive and rigorous academic program that combines the study of philosophical thought with the mastery of one or more modern languages. This interdisciplinary course is designed to cultivate critical thinking, analytical skills, and cultural awareness, preparing students for a wide range of careers in academia, law, journalism, public service, and beyond. The Philosophy component provides students with a solid foundation in diverse philosophical traditions, covering topics such as ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, and political philosophy, often encouraging them to engage with contemporary issues and develop their own reasoned arguments. Meanwhile, the Modern Languages element involves the detailed study of language, literature, and culture, with options typically including languages such as French, German, Spanish, Italian, or other modern European languages. Students engage with original texts, refine their language skills, and explore cultural contexts, fostering a deep understanding of the nuances of communication and intercultural dialogue.

The program emphasizes a balance between theoretical concepts and practical language application, with students often undertaking language courses from beginner to advanced levels, as well as literature and cultural studies. The course structure includes lectures, seminars, independent study, and assessments that promote independent thought and scholarly development. The Oxford tutorial system ensures personalized learning and close mentorship from academic tutors, fostering intellectual growth and encouraging original research. The program duration is typically three years for the full-time course, with options for part-time study in some cases. Entrance requirements generally include strong academic records, proficiency in the language(s) chosen, and a demonstrated interest in philosophy. Graduates of this program typically gain vital skills such as critical reasoning, multilingual communication, and cross-cultural understanding, equipping them for diverse professional paths or further postgraduate study.