Classics and English
The Classics and English degree at Oxford allows students to explore the literature and culture of both the ancient and modern worlds, studying them individually and in relation to one another. It encourages examination of ideas, forms, and genres across cultures and eras, fostering an understanding of how human thought, writing, and imagination evolve over time.
All students study Latin, Greek, or both, enabling them to engage with ancient texts in their original languages.
Students who have an A-level or equivalent in Latin or Greek follow a three-year course.
Those without prior study in either classical language at A-level or equivalent enroll in Classics and English with Beginners’ Latin or Greek, a four-year program that begins with a preparatory year in which students learn Latin or Greek alongside classical literature.
Students in the Classics and English program at Oxford can specialise in areas that interest them most, choosing from a variety of options in English literature as well as ancient literature, history, philosophy, and linguistics. The degree also integrates both disciplines, with several papers designed specifically to support comparative study between classical and modern texts.
In the first year (or the second year for students in Classics and English with Beginners’ Latin or Greek), students take a paper in English literature from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, a period when writers engaged deeply with the languages and literatures of ancient Greece and Rome.
The latter two years feature four key ‘link papers.’ All students study Epic, comparing authors such as Homer, Virgil, Milton, Alice Oswald, and Derek Walcott. Students then select one of Comedy, Tragedy, or Reception, which examines the influence of ancient literature on twentieth-century poetry. Those taking a second classical language in their penultimate year complete only one of the link papers.
The final-year dissertation allows students to design and pursue an independent research topic under expert supervision, combining aspects of both Classics and English or focusing on a specific area. Throughout the degree, students explore the evolution of literary genres and ideas across time.
Oxford has a long-standing tradition of excellence in research and teaching in both Classics and English, supported by outstanding library facilities. The university hosts the largest Classics department in the world, with over sixty full-time academic staff, and offers exceptional teaching, library, and museum resources, including the Bodleian Library, the Bodleian Art, Archaeology and Ancient World Libraries, the Ashmolean Museum, and a dedicated Classics Centre.
The English Faculty is the largest English department in the UK. Students benefit from tutorials led by scholars active in their research areas, alongside lectures accessible to all English students. This ensures learning from a wide array of expert teachers.
Library resources for English students are extensive, including the Bodleian Library with its vast manuscript collection, the English Faculty Library, college libraries, and numerous electronic resources.
Course Overview
- UCAS Code: QQ38 (Classics and English); QQH8 (Classics and English with Beginners' Latin or Greek)
- Entrance Requirements: AAA (with As in Latin and Greek if taken)
- Course Duration: 3 years BA in Classics and English; 4 years BA in Classics and English with Beginners' Latin or Greek
Subject Requirements
- Required subjects: English Literature or English Language and Literature
- Recommended subjects: Not applicable
- Helpful subjects: Latin, Ancient Greek, Classical Civilisation, Ancient History or a modern language
Other Course Requirements
- Admissions test: CAT
- Written Work: Two pieces
Admissions Statistics
- Interviewed: 89%
- Successful: 25%
- Intake: 14
- Successful for a different course: 9%
- Applicant intake for a different course: 6
*3-year average 2022–24
A Typical Week
A typical week in the Classics and English program combines two tutorials in different subjects with lectures, classes (including language lessons), and private study. Most of the workload involves preparing essays for tutorials, with students expected to complete eight to twelve pieces of written work each term. Language learning and extensive reading also require significant time.
Tutorials generally consist of up to three students with a tutor, while other classes may include up to fifteen students, depending on the chosen options. Lectures are typically held three to four times per week within the relevant faculty.
Teaching is delivered primarily by academics who are specialists in their fields, including world-leading experts with extensive teaching and research experience. Some instruction may also be provided by postgraduate students at the doctoral level.
Candidates without prior study in Latin or Greek at A-level follow a preliminary year focusing on language acquisition, before joining the standard three-year Classics and English course structure.
Year 1: Courses and Assessment
Students enrolled in Classics and English with Beginners’ Latin or Greek complete a preliminary year focusing on learning Latin or Greek, alongside foundational classical literature. After this, they join Year 1 and follow the standard Classics and English program.
Year 1 Papers:
Introduction to English Language and Literature
Literature in English 1550–1660
Unseen Translation for Classics
Greek and/or Latin Literature (two papers)
Assessment includes four written papers forming the first University examination, alongside a portfolio of two essays for Introduction to English Language and Literature. All exams must be passed, though marks do not contribute to the final degree classification.
Years 2 and 3: Courses and Assessment
Students take seven papers over the final two years:
Two link papers, one compulsory (Epic) and a choice of Comedy, Tragedy, or Reception
Two papers from the English single honours course, including one period paper not covered in Year 1
Two Classics options
An 8,000-word dissertation, either interdisciplinary or focused on English or Classics
Assessment is a combination of coursework (extended essays and dissertation) and final written examinations for the remaining papers.
A full list of current options is available on the Classics Department and English Department websites.
Note: Course content and assessment formats may change; students should consult official resources for the latest information.
Academic Requirements
| Qualification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| A-levels | AAA (with As in Latin and Greek, if taken) |
| Advanced Highers | AA/AAB (with A in Latin, if taken) |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) | 39 (including core points) with 666 at HL, including 6s at HL in Latin and Greek, if taken |
| Any other equivalent qualification | View information on other UK qualifications, and international qualifications |
Wherever possible, your grades are considered in the context in which they have been achieved.
Subject Requirements
Essential
Candidates must have studied English Literature or English Language and Literature at A-level, Advanced Higher, Higher Level in the IB, or an equivalent qualification.
Helpful (Optional)
Prior knowledge of one or both classical languages (Latin and Ancient Greek), Classical Civilisation, Ancient History, or a modern language can support students in their studies, but these are not mandatory for admission.
If any science A-level included a practical component that contributes toward meeting your offer, you are expected to pass it.
Applicants whose first language is not English may need to satisfy Oxford’s English language requirements.
For those whose personal or educational circumstances make achieving the standard grades unlikely, but who maintain a strong interest in the subject, the Classics and English Foundation Year could be a suitable pathway.
For full details on academic requirements and eligibility, visit the Foundation Year course pages.
Admissions Test
Test
CAT
Test Dates
22, 23 & 24 October 2025
Registration Window
To be confirmed
All candidates must take the relevant section(s) of the Classics Admissions Test (CAT) as part of their application.
All the information you need to arrange to take your test as well as how best to prepare can be found on your test page.
Written Work
Applicants are required to submit two pieces of written work, ideally one related to Classics and one to English.
Short, timed essays or exercises responding to brief passages are not preferred.
For detailed guidance, please consult the written work requirements for both English Language and Literature and Classics.
Submission Deadline
10 November 2025
Additional guidance on submission procedures can be found on the Oxford website.
What Tutors Are Looking For
Oxford tutors seek curious, independent students who demonstrate a genuine commitment to the study and comparison of literatures. Submitted written work provides insight into your analytical skills and writing ability.
Candidates taking Latin or Greek to A-level (or equivalent) should show competence in these classical languages.
Interviews explore your enthusiasm for literature, engagement with comparative study, response to new ideas, and capacity for independent thought and reading.
We expect students to have read widely in English and classical literature—either in translation or the original languages—and to enjoy discussing and writing about literature. There is no required reading list; tutors are primarily interested in your ideas, interests, and reasoning skills.
For full details, refer to the Classics department website and English department website.
Careers
Many graduates in Classics and English have entered a wide range of different fields such as:
- teaching
- the media
- management consultancy
- the law
- finance
- advertising
- journalism
- writing
- librarianship
- or have continued to further study in one or both subjects.
Alumni Insight – Philip
Philip, now a professional writer, shares:
“Since graduating, I have pursued a career in writing and journalism. I have published two novels, contribute to numerous magazines and newspapers, and serve as Contributing Editor for Literary Review, the Periscope Post, and Port. My degree at Oxford strengthened my analytical, communication, and linguistic skills, which are essential in the media industry.”
Fees and Financial Support
Annual fees listed apply to full-time students starting this undergraduate course in 2025. Updated fee information for courses beginning in 2026 will be available in September.
Oxford is committed to ensuring that financial circumstances do not prevent academically qualified students from studying here. The university provides one of the most comprehensive financial support packages for UK students, often supplemented by additional support from individual colleges.
Fees
| Fee Status | Annual Course Fees |
|---|---|
| Home | £9,535 |
| Overseas | £41,130 |
Fee Status and Eligibility
Detailed information regarding fee status and eligibility can be found on the university’s Fee Status webpage.
For additional guidance, visit our Course Fees page. Please note that fees typically increase on an annual basis. For projections and guidance, consult our page on Likely Increases to Fees and Charges.
Living Costs
Oxford’s world-class resources and college provisions can help students manage their living expenses more efficiently than one might expect.
For the academic year starting in 2025, living costs are estimated between £1,425 and £2,035 per month. The academic year consists of three eight-week terms, so students typically need to reside in Oxford for around six months, though budgeting for a nine-month period is recommended to cover essential costs during breaks.
Financial Support
Home Students
For Home students (UK, Irish nationals, and other eligible students with UK citizens' rights*), a tuition fee loan is available from the UK government to fully cover course fees for a first undergraduate degree. This means you do not need to pay course fees upfront.
In 2025, Oxford will offer one of the most generous bursary packages in the UK, supporting Home students with a family income of £50,000 or less, with extra financial help for those from households earning £32,500 or below. In addition, the UK government provides living costs support for eligible students who meet residence requirements.
*From 1 August 2021, EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals with pre-settled or settled status, or Irish citizens under the Common Travel Area, remain eligible for student finance. The level of support available will depend on your residency status.
See further details ➝Islands Students (Channel Islands & Isle of Man)
Islands students receive different support arrangements than those from the rest of the UK. Please check directly with your funding agency:
Overseas Students
International students should visit the Oxford Bursaries and Scholarships page and explore the Other Scholarships section for details of financial aid opportunities.
Additional Fees and Charges Information
Contextual Information
To help applicants better understand the course, Unistats data from Discover Uni provides useful statistics about studying Classics and English at Oxford.
However, for a more complete and personal picture of Oxford life, we recommend exploring the information below and browsing our wider website.
The Oxford Tutorial
At the heart of Oxford’s teaching system is the college tutorial. These small-group or one-to-one sessions are usually held in your college and led by an academic tutor who both teaches and conducts research in the subject.
In addition to tutorials, you will benefit from lectures, classes, and—depending on the course—laboratory work or fieldwork. However, tutorials are unique to Oxford and provide:
Personalised academic attention from experts.
In-depth discussion of your prepared work, normally lasting an hour.
Small group settings (usually one or two fellow students studying the same subject).
Immediate feedback and support, allowing close monitoring of your academic progress.
This system fosters rigorous debate and critical thinking, going far beyond what is possible in lectures alone.
College Life at Oxford
Oxford’s colleges are at the heart of student life, combining the resources of a world-class university with the atmosphere of a close-knit community.
Every Oxford student belongs to both:
Their college or hall
Their subject department(s) and the wider University
This dual structure ensures that students receive both academic excellence and personalised support.
Each college provides essential facilities, typically including:
Porters’ lodge (staffed entrance & reception)
Dining hall
Lending library (often open 24/7 in term)
Student accommodation
Tutors’ teaching rooms
Chapel and/or music rooms
Laundry services
Green spaces
Student common room (known as the JCR)
Accommodation:
All first-year undergraduates are guaranteed a room in their college or a nearby annexe.
Most colleges offer at least one further year of accommodation; some guarantee it for the entire duration of your degree.
After the first year, students may choose to remain in college or move into private housing with friends.
Support:
Academic tutors support your learning and can also advise on wider issues.
Welfare officers and college staff help students settle in and provide guidance on practical or health matters.
Many colleges run ‘college families’ or peer-support systems where older students mentor and support first-years.
This supportive environment ensures that Oxford students can focus on their studies while making the most of the University’s academic, social, and cultural opportunities.
The Oxford tutorial system is a unique teaching method where students meet weekly in very small groups with an expert tutor to discuss written work and ideas in depth. It provides highly personalised feedback and encourages critical thinking.
Course fees vary depending on your fee status (Home or Overseas). For 2025, tuition fees for Home students are around £9,250 per year, while international fees can range from £28,000 to £44,000 per year, plus living costs of approximately £1,425–£2,035 per month.
Yes. All first-year undergraduates are guaranteed college accommodation. Many colleges also offer rooms for additional years, and facilities usually include dining halls, libraries, laundry, and social spaces.
Tutors look for intellectual curiosity, strong analytical skills, and enthusiasm for the subject. They value students who can think critically, engage in discussion, and show potential to benefit from Oxford’s tutorial system.
Admission to Oxford is very competitive. On average, Oxford receives around 24,000 undergraduate applications for about 3,300 places each year, making the acceptance rate roughly 14%. Academic excellence and strong performance in admissions tests and interviews are key.