Skip Navigation Skip to Content Skip to Footer

Classics and Modern Languages

Classics and Modern Languages enables you to combine study of either one or both of Latin and Ancient Greek with a modern language.

The course involves extensive study of major literary texts, alongside training in linguistic skills.

Oxford has the largest Classics department in the world, with unparalleled teaching, library and museum resources and a range of extracurricular activities, including performances of Greek plays and various societies.

The Modern Languages Faculty is one of the largest in the country, with a major research library (the Taylorian) and a modern, well-equipped Language Centre fitted with satellite and computer-assisted language learning facilities. Undergraduates also develop oral proficiency in the modern language by regular contact with native speakers.

Graduates in Classics and Modern Languages go on to careers including the media, teaching, acting, management, advertising and librarianship. Knowledge of a modern language opens up opportunities for internationally-focused careers or careers with international companies or organisations. The Languages Work website has further information about careers using languages website.

Recent Classics and Modern Languages graduates include an investment manager, a trainee solicitor, and a linguist.

It is inter-disciplinary throughout, with papers available from literature, ancient history, philosophy (ancient and modern), art and architecture, philology and language.

Oliver Collopy|Classics (Literae Humaniores)
Admission Criteria

All candidates must take the Classics Admissions Test (CAT) and the Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLAT). Written work is also required. The standard offer is AAA at A Level or equivalent. More information about admission requirements for the course can be found on the University website.

Number of places

Usually 1

Departments

Faculty of Classics

Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages

Teaching Staff

Organising Tutor
Professor Annette Volfing

Knight Fellow & Tutor in Modern Languages

Organising Tutor
Professor Bruno Currie

Mason Monro Fellow in Classics | Professor of Greek Literature

Dr Víctor Acedo-Matellán

Fellow & Tutor in Linguistics & Spanish

Dr Alessandra Aloisi

Lecturer in French

Dr Cécile Bishop

Kelleher Fellow in French | Associate Professor of Post-Colonial Francophone Literatures & Cultures| Organising Tutor in French

Mrs Stefanie Burkert-Burrows

College Lecturer in German

Dr Luca Castagnoli

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Clarendon Fellow in Ancient Greek Philosophy | Tutor in Philosophy & Classics

Dr Marie Kawthar Daouda

College Lecturer in French | Visiting Students Coordinator

Dr Tristan Franklinos

College Lecturer in Classics | Dean of Degrees

Dr Ole Hinz

German Lektor

Miss Charis Jo

Graduate Teaching & Research Scholar in Classics

Mrs Juliane Kerkhecker

Grocyn Lecturer | Fellow & Tutor in Classics | Senior Dean | Steward of the Common Room

Professor Katrin Kohl

College Lecturer in German

Dr Katherine New

College Lecturer in Russian Literature & Language

OTHER COURSES YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

Classical Archaeology and Ancient History
Number of places 6 for Literae Humaniores (Classics), Classics, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Classical Archaeology and Ancient History. Admission Criteria Applicants should usually have AAA at A-Level (or equivalent).

Classics (Literae Humaniores)
Number of places 6 for Literae Humaniores (Classics), Classics, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Classical Archaeology and Ancient History. There are additionally 1 place for Classics and English and 1 (usually) for Classics and Modern Languages. Admission Criteria All candidates must take the Classics Admissions Test (CAT). Candidates will also be asked to submit two pieces of written work in English. The standard offer is AAA at A Level or equivalent. More information can be found on the Classics Faculty website.

Classics and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
Number of places 6 for Literae Humaniores (Classics), Classics, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Classical Archaeology and Ancient History. Admission Criteria All candidates must take the Classics Admissions Test (CAT) and the OLAT. Written work is also required. The standard offer is AAA at A Level or equivalent. More information about admission requirements for the course can be found on the University website.

Classics and English
Admission Criteria All candidates must take the Classics Admissions Test (CAT). Candidates will also be asked to submit two pieces of written work in English. The standard offer is AAA at A Level or equivalent. More information can be found on the Classics Faculty website.

English and Modern Languages
Admission Criteria All candidates are required to sit a test or tests in November (find out more on the University website). Conditional offers are usually AAA at A-level (or equivalent), with A grades required for any language to be studied (except ab initio languages). Candidates have two interviews in the college. As part of the process, candidates are given a short text to read and then discuss with interviewers; they are also expected to discuss their recent reading, both in and out of school.

History and Modern Languages
Number of places From the Modern Languages quota Admission Criteria Short-listing by History Aptitude Test, Language Test, and GCSE results (contextualized by school performance data). Admission by written work, interviews, and AAA at A-level or equivalent. You should have studied your chosen language to A-level (except in the case of Italian, which can be studied from scratch). We consider applicants who do not have A-level History.

Modern Languages (and Linguistics)
Number of places Usually 9 Admission Criteria One piece of marked written work is required for each language you plan to study and in which you will have A2 (or equivalent) before university. In addition, all candidates must submit one piece of marked writing in English. If you are applying for a language which you have not taken at A2 (or equivalent) then you do not need to submit anything in that language. All candidates are required to sit a test or tests in November. Conditional offers: AAA at A-level (or equivalent), with A grades required for any language to be studied (except ab initio languages).

Philosophy and Modern Languages
Number of places 1 or 2, taken from the Modern Languages quota of 9 Admission Criteria All candidates must take the Modern Languages Admissions Tests (MLAT), normally at their own school or college, in November, in addition to the written work specified on the university's website. Separate registration for this test is required and it is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure that they are registered for this test. Candidates will need to take two sections of the MLAT: one for their chosen language, and one for Philosophy. Conditional offers: AAA at A-level (or equivalent), with A grades required for any language to be studied (except ab initio languages).

Theology and Religion
Number of places 2 or 3 Admission Criteria Typical offer: AAA at A-level (or equivalent). Candidates for places in the Single Honours School of Theology are not required to have backgrounds in particular subjects. Candidates are required to submit one piece of written work.  

What next?

Applying to Oriel

Applying to Oriel

Fees and funding

Fees and funding

Open days

Open days