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English Language and Literature

Our students read widely in literature in English across the whole scope of its history; they are also encouraged to develop their own interests over the three years of the course, and to pursue the authors or themes they find particularly fascinating in depth.

The first thing we look for in potential students at Oriel is a love of literature, and an omnivorous appetite for reading, and thinking about it: you should find the prospect of reading and writing about at least two or three books a week, every week, exciting rather than daunting. The process of interpreting texts sensitively and knowledgably frequently leads us into the terrain of other disciplines—philosophy, aesthetics and art, linguistics, history, politics, the study of Classical literatures, theology—all of which enhance understanding of the works we study together, and enable students to think and write more originally and creatively about them. Our students therefore need to be intellectually curious, imaginative, dedicated, and hard-working.

Oriel offers a vibrant community of students of English and associated joint-schools (Classics and English, and English and Modern Languages), who are taught in college in a mixture of tutorials (one or two students with a tutor) and lively group classes. Our tutors are committed both to giving our students the necessary grounding in the literature of the periods which we teach, and to encouraging them to explore the writers or subjects they find most engaging in further detail.

The first year of the English course covers Old English and the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, along with a paper which offers an introduction to the history and theory of the English language, and teaches the core skills of close reading and critical theory which are the tools of literary interpretation. At the end of the first year, students choose to specialize in the periods before or after 1550. For those interested in the more modern period, the second year is devoted to the period 1350–1830; in the final year, students study Shakespeare, and take a Centrally Taught Special Topic – an opportunity to study a subject in depth with experts in the field – and write a dissertation. These last three papers are examined by submitted work, and offer an opportunity for students to specialize and produce extended pieces of original research and writing.

In addition to the absorbing academic life of the college, our undergraduates are also part of a thriving community which participates in various extra-curricular literary activities, including the Raleigh Society, an arts and literary club; the Oriel Lions, a drama society, which sometimes performs plays in one of the college’s quads; and occasional classes and events based on creative writing, film, and poetry reading. These continue a vivid literary tradition among Oriel students and fellows: among our former members are Sir Walter Raleigh, Matthew Arnold, and John Henry Newman, whom James Joyce described as ‘the greatest of English prose writers’. In recent years, we have also taken students in their third year for a residential reading and revision week, prior to their final exams.

Admission Criteria

One piece of recent written work is required. There is no written test at interview, but all applicants will be expected to have taken the ELAT. 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.

Number of places

5 or 6 (including joint schools)

Departments

Faculty of English

Teaching Staff

Organising Tutor
Dr Kathryn Murphy

Fellow & Tutor in English Literature

Dr Bethany Dubow

College Lecturer in English

Dr Nicholas Gaskill

Fellow & Tutor in American Literature

Dr Amanda Holton

College Lecturer in English Literature

Dr Ayoush Lazikani

College Lecturer in English

Mr Jonathan Perris

Graduate Teaching and Research Scholar in English, 1700-1850 | DPhil Candidate in English

OTHER COURSES YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

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.

Classics and Modern Languages

Number of places Usually 1 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.

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

Number of places 9 Admission Criteria The admissions process at Oriel is exactly the same as at all other colleges. For further information, please visit the History Faculty admissions pages.

History (Ancient and Modern)

Number of places Usually 1 Admission Criteria Short-listing by History Aptitude Test and GCSE results (contextualized by school performance data). Admission by written work, interviews, and AAA at A-level or equivalent. There are no required subjects, and we consider applicants who do not have A-level History.

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.

History and Politics

Number of places Usually 1 Admission Criteria Short-listing by History Aptitude Test and GCSE results (contextualized by school performance data). Admission by written work, interviews, and AAA at A-level or equivalent. There are no required subjects, and we consider applicants who do not have A-level History.

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.  

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