Languages
Studying Languages at university provides students with practical training in writing and speaking at least one foreign language, as well as the opportunity to study a broad range of literature and history.
Below you will find information about the specific degree courses offered by Oxford University and Cambridge University to study Languages, how to prepare, and how Oxbridge Interviews can help you with your application.
BOOK COURSECambridge offers an equivalent degree course in Modern and Medieval Langauges that lasts four years and includes a year abroad.
Students study two of:
- French
- German
- Italian
- Portuguese
- Russian
- Spanish
The application process is competitive with 3 applications per place. To be successful, you generally need to get A*AA at A Level (or equivalent) and have studied at least one of your chosen languages at A Level.
Oxford University's Modern Languages course is four years, including a year abroad, and students choose at least one language out of the following list:
- Czech (with Slovak)
- French
- German
- Italian
- Modern Greek
- Polish
- Portuguese
- Russian
- Spanish
The application process is competitive with 37% of applications successful. To be offered a place, you generally need to get AAA at A Level (or equivalent) and there are no A-level subject requirements as all languages may be taken from scratch.
To prepare for your Languages application, you must demonstrate your motivation for the subject and specific interests. You can do this by reading beyond your school curriculum. Our interviewers recommend:
- Reading newspapers in your chosen language(s)
- Listening to podcasts in your chosen language(s)
Practice interviews for Languages applications are critical. You wouldn’t sit an exam without doing a mock, so don’t place yourself in an interview without having experienced a practice interview first.
Elizabeth (French and Spanish, Oxford)
Elizabeth completed her undergraduate degree in French and Spanish at Worcester College, Oxford. Since graduating, she has been working as an editorial assistant for an online website using her language skills.
Q&A
Elizabeth, why did you choose Languages?
"I always wanted to study languages and chose the Oxford course because it focuses on literature. I think it can feel like Oxbridge chooses you instead of you choosing it, simply because you have to jump through so many hoops to gain a place, but really to study languages at Oxford you have to love literature - it makes up 50% of the course. For me it was the perfect combination of language, translation, and reading (i.e. literary analysis)! "
What’s your advice to students applying to Languages?
"It’s ok not to know things, particularly in the interview when it can feel very scary saying that you don't know. As long as you are passionate about your subject, keen to learn and engage in that process of finding things out, questioning and reflecting, you'll be fine."
Applicants to Modern and Medieval Languages at Cambridge are required to take the MML Admissions Assessment at interview.
All applicants to study a language or its joint courses at Oxford are required to take the Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLAT).