Classics and Modern Languages
About the Course
This joint degree allows students to study Latin and/or Ancient Greek alongside a modern European language. You’ll explore important literary texts, strengthen your language skills, and develop a deep understanding of both ancient and modern cultures.
The course also examines how the works of Greece and Rome influenced later European literature and thought. Some modules even allow direct comparison between Classics and Modern Languages texts.
Oxford has exceptional resources for this degree:
- The Classics Faculty is the largest in the world, with more than 60 full-time academics. Students benefit from world-class libraries such as the Bodleian, the Bodleian Art, Archaeology and Ancient World Library, the Taylor Institution (for modern languages), as well as the Ashmolean Museum and the dedicated Classics Centre.
- The Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages is the biggest in the UK and provides both extensive research opportunities and practical language training, including through Oxford’s Classics and Modern Languages Centre.
Studying modern languages gives students strong written and spoken communication skills through close interaction with native speakers, and exposure to a wide range of literature from the medieval period to the modern day.
Course Overview
- UCAS code: Refer to course combination list
- Entry requirements: AAA at A-level (with A grades in Latin and/or Greek if studied)
- Length of study: 4 or 5 years, including a compulsory year abroad (BA)
Subject Requirements
One modern language (depending on your chosen course path)
- Latin
- Ancient Greek
- Classical Civilisation
- Ancient History
Additional Requirements
- CAT (Classics Admissions Test)
- MLAT (Modern Languages Admissions Test) – depending on your course choice
Between one and three essays or assignments must be submitted.
Admissions Statistics (average from 2022–24)
- Interviewed: 95%
- Successful offers: 41%
- Typical intake: 11 students
- Successful for another Oxford course: 4%
International Opportunities
All students on the Classics and Modern Languages degree must spend one year abroad.
During this year, you can choose from several options, such as:
- Working in a school as a paid language assistant
- Taking part in an internship
- Studying at a partner university
These experiences are designed to build fluency and cultural understanding.
Even after Brexit, Oxford continues to work with European partners to ensure these opportunities remain available. Study placements, internships, and assistantships are still possible, though in some cases adjustments may be required (for example, visa issues or specific health needs). If this applies to you, you should contact the department for guidance.
Funding for the Year Abroad
- Some placements come with a salary (e.g., teaching assistant roles).
- Extra funding is available from Oxford and other sources to help with costs.
- Students are responsible for living expenses, travel, and visas.
- UK students from lower-income households may qualify for Oxford’s generous bursaries.
- Travel grants may also be offered through your college or faculty.
For the latest details, Oxford recommends checking the Study Abroad webpage, since costs and funding may vary year to year.
Course Structure
The Classics and Modern Languages (CML) degree offers two study routes, both leading to the same final exams. They differ only in the focus of the first one or two years.
Option A – Prelims Route
- Divides study evenly between Classics (language and literature) and Modern Languages.
- Duration:
- 4 years for students with A-level (or equivalent) Latin/Greek.
- 5 years for students beginning Latin or Greek as a new language.
- You sit a Preliminary Examination at the end of your first year (or second year if starting Latin/Greek from scratch).
Key Features of Option A
- “Prelims Route”
- Four or five years total, depending on language background
- Early focus is balanced between Classics and Modern Languages
Option B – Mods Route
- Begins with a stronger emphasis on Classics.
- For the first five terms, students take the same papers as single-subject Classics students, covering:
- Greek and/or Latin language
- Literature
- Ancient history
- Archaeology
- Philology
- Ancient or modern philosophy
- Duration: Always 5 years, regardless of prior Latin/Greek knowledge.
- You sit Honour Moderations (Mods) in the second year (around Easter), the same as Classics students.
Key Features of Option B
- “Mods Route”
- Five years total
- More Classics-focused in the first five terms
Assessments by Stage
Option A – Year 1 (or Years 1–2 for beginners in Latin/Greek)
- Translation from the ancient language into English (1 paper)
- Literature in the ancient language(s) (2 papers)
- Practical language work in the modern language (2 papers)
- Modern language literature (2 papers)
- First University Examinations: 3 papers in Classics, 4 papers in Modern Languages
Option B – Years 1–2 (Terms 1–5)
- Covers the same subjects as single-honours Classics
- Modern language maintained through language classes
- First University Examinations in Classics: 6–9 papers
Final Years (after the year abroad)
Both routes eventually merge into a shared structure.
- Classics: 3–4 papers
- Modern Languages: 4–5 papers
- One option to explore the connection between ancient and modern literature (via a long essay or paper)
- Final University Examinations: 9 papers total (8 required + 1 optional), plus an oral exam in the modern language
- A thesis may replace one of the Classics papers
(Exact paper choices and formats may change over time — current details are available on the Classics and Modern Languages websites.)
Academic Requirements
To apply for Classics and Modern Languages, applicants need strong academic performance.
A-levels: AAA (including an A in Latin and/or Greek if taken)
Scottish Advanced Highers: AA/AAB (with A in Latin if studied)
International Baccalaureate (IB): 39 points (including core), with 6,6,6 at Higher Level, and at least a 6 in Latin and Greek if studied
Other qualifications: Equivalent UK and international qualifications are accepted. Oxford considers academic results in the context in which they were achieved.
If your A-level science subjects include a practical element, you are expected to pass it.
If English is not your first language, you must meet Oxford’s English language requirements.
Subject Requirements
Helpful Subjects (not required)
- Latin or Ancient Greek
- Classical Civilisation
- Ancient History
For post-A-level Modern Languages
- Normally, you must have studied the modern language at A-level, Advanced Higher, IB Higher Level, or equivalent.
- Applicants who haven’t taken it formally may still be considered if they have B1 level proficiency on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
For beginners languages
- You can start a new modern language from scratch.
- However, if you are also beginning Latin or Greek, you must already have studied one classical language (Latin/Greek) at A-level or equivalent.
Applying
All candidates must follow the University of Oxford’s standard application process. Full details can be found on the Applying to Oxford webpage.
Admissions Tests
Applicants are required to sit:
- Classics Admissions Test (CAT)
- Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLAT) – depending on course choice
Test dates for 2025 entry
- CAT: 22–24 October 2025
- MLAT: 24 October 2025
(Registration details will be confirmed closer to the date.)
Guidance on preparing for these tests is available on the relevant Oxford admissions pages.
Written Work
- Candidates must submit one piece of written work for the Classics component (see the Classics Faculty website for guidance).
- Written work is no longer required for Modern Languages (from 2026 entry onwards).
Submission deadline: 10 November 2025
What Tutors Look For
Successful applicants typically demonstrate:
- Strong ability in languages (including Latin or Greek, if studied)
- Intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm for exploring both classical and modern literature
- Evidence of academic potential, creativity, and commitment to this wide-ranging degree
Tutors seek students who show not only language skills but also the ability to think critically and independently across both fields of study.
Careers
A degree in Classics and Modern Languages opens up a wide variety of career paths. Graduates gain advanced analytical skills, cultural awareness, and high-level proficiency in languages — qualities that are valued by many employers.
Common career routes include:
- Media and journalism
- Teaching and academia
- Theatre and acting
- Law and public service
- Publishing and advertising
- Librarianship and archiving
- Management and business roles
- Work with international organisations and companies
Graduate Perspective
Liliana, a graduate of Classics and French, shared her experience:
“I chose the joint degree because I was fascinated by Europe, its languages, and its classical heritage. The breadth of the course encouraged me to explore different disciplines and draw connections between them. My training in languages and classical texts gave me excellent preparation for tackling new challenges.”
After graduating, Liliana moved to China, where she became a television presenter, working on programmes about society, politics, and culture. She highlights how her Oxford training — from linguistic precision to deep engagement with unfamiliar traditions — equipped her to report from places like Tiananmen Square, conduct live broadcasts in Chinese, and interview global leaders.
Her story shows how studying Europe’s past can prepare graduates for careers that span across cultures and continents.
Fees
Tuition Fees (per year)
- Home (UK students): £9,535
- Overseas students: £41,130
Fees normally rise each year. Full details are available on Oxford’s course fees webpage, along with guidance on expected increases.
During the compulsory year abroad, students pay reduced fees:
- Home students: £1,430 (illustrative figure for 2025/26)
- Overseas students: £13,985 (illustrative figure for 2025/26)
Note: Costs may vary depending on your placement or destination.
Living Costs
Living costs at Oxford are generally lower than many expect, since colleges provide accommodation and facilities that help reduce expenses.
Estimated living costs for 2025:
- £1,425–£2,035 per month
- Based on being in Oxford for around six months each year (three terms of eight weeks each).
- Students may want to budget for a nine-month period to cover holidays and essential expenses.
Further details can be found on Oxford’s living costs webpage.
Financial Support
For Home Students
- A tuition fee loan from the UK government is available to cover the full fee (for first-time undergraduates).
- Oxford offers one of the most generous bursary packages in the UK.
- Support is available for students with a household income of £50,000 or less.
- Extra help is available for those with incomes of £32,500 or below.
- Additional living costs support may be available from the UK government for eligible students.
For Students from Islands and Isle of Man
- Funding arrangements differ from the rest of the UK.
- Students should check details with their local education authority.
For Overseas Students
- Oxford offers a range of scholarships and bursaries.
- Details are listed on the Oxford Bursaries and Scholarships webpage.
Year Abroad Funding
- Some placements provide a salary (e.g., teaching assistant roles).
- Extra funding may be available through the Turing Scheme, colleges, or the Faculty.
- Students from lower-income households remain eligible for Oxford bursaries.
- Travel grants and hardship support may also be provided if needed.
Oxford Teaching
Teaching at Oxford combines lectures, classes, and tutorials, with some courses also including fieldwork or practical components.
The Oxford Tutorial
- Tutorials are small, usually one tutor with one or two students.
- Each session lasts around an hour.
- Students prepare work in advance (essays, translations, or problem sets).
- Tutors give detailed feedback and explore topics in depth.
This highly personalised teaching style is a distinctive feature of Oxford. It allows for:
- Close academic support
- Rigorous discussion and debate
- Rapid development of analytical skills
Careful progress monitoring
College Life
Oxford colleges form the heart of student life, offering both academic and social support.
Key Features of Every College
- A staffed Porters’ Lodge (entrance and reception)
- Dining Hall for meals
- Library (often open 24/7 in term time)
- Student accommodation (on-site or nearby)
- Teaching rooms for tutorials
- Chapel and/or music rooms
- Laundry facilities
- Green spaces and gardens
- A Junior Common Room (JCR) for student community activities
Accommodation
- All first-year students are guaranteed housing provided by their college.
- Many colleges offer accommodation for at least one further year, and some for the full degree.
- Some students choose to move into private housing after the first year, often to live with friends from other colleges.
Support and Community
- Academic tutors not only guide studies but can also provide advice on other aspects of student life.
- Welfare officers and support staff are available for health, wellbeing, and practical guidance.
- Colleges foster strong communities, with peer support systems such as “college families” or trained student supporters.
Colleges provide a safe, friendly environment where students can balance study, social life, and extracurricular activities.
Outreach and Resources
The Faculties of Classics and Medieval & Modern Languages run a wide range of activities to encourage students from all backgrounds to apply. These include workshops, open days, and online resources.
Classics Faculty Outreach
- Resources on applying and preparing to study Classics at university
- Interviews with current students
- Information on courses, competitions, and open days
- OxLAT scheme: Latin teaching support for state school students in Years 9–10 where Latin is not otherwise taught
- Classical Conversations: opportunities for schools to host Oxford academics virtually or in person
- School trips to Oxford with handling sessions at the Ashmolean Museum and Bodleian Library
Modern Languages Faculty Outreach
- Events to inspire students to pursue language study at university
- Work with schools to encourage continuation of languages to GCSE and A-level (or equivalent)
Promotion of the value of language study and related career opportunities
UNIQ Summer School
UK state school students interested in Classical subjects or Modern Languages can apply to UNIQ, Oxford’s flagship outreach programme. Each year, more than 1,500 students get to experience Oxford-style teaching and receive tailored application support.
Additional Resources
- The Digital Resource Hub with materials for students of all ages
- Oxplore, Oxford’s online learning platform for 11–18 year olds
- A dedicated outreach event calendar listing university-wide events and activities