English and Modern Languages: University of Oxford

What is English and Modern Languages?

The English side of the course offers you a choice from a list of papers covering all literature written in the English language from its origins in Anglo-Saxon through to works produced in English-speaking countries across the world in the present day. The modern language which you combine with English will be one of French, German, Modern Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Czech (with Slovak) or Celtic. This side of the course will give you practical linguistic training, encourage you to think coherently about language as a subject of study and introduce you to an extensive and fascinating field of Western literature and thought. Beginners’ Russian is not available.

English and Modern Languages at Oxford

Both the English and the Modern Languages Faculties at Oxford are among the largest in the country, and include major scholars in all areas of the respective subjects. Students thus have the opportunity to receive teaching from a range of expert tutors. Library provision at Oxford is excellent: all students have access to the English Faculty Library, the Taylor Institution Library (for modern languages), the Bodleian Library and their own college libraries. Both faculties have well-equipped computer rooms and all colleges have computing facilities.

The course is extremely flexible. In the first year you will do practical work in your chosen modern language and study a selection of important texts from its literature. On the English side, you will be introduced to the conceptual and technical tools used in the study of literature, and to a wide range of different critical assumptions and approaches. At the same time, you may choose to study Victorian or Modern or Old or Middle English literature. In the second year, a wide range of options opens up for you. Language work in your modern language will continue and you will study literature from a wide range of periods. The third year of the four-year course is spent abroad, with most students taking a posting as an ‘assistant’ in a foreign school. On your return, you may choose from options including special author papers and special topic papers in both English and your modern language

A typical weekly timetable

Most students will have one or two tutorials a week as well as compulsory language classes. Most students also attend three to four lecture courses.

Application procedure

For English, applicants are required to submit one piece of written work – see the English website for further information. For Modern Languages, candidates are required to submit two pieces of school or college work (preferably of different kinds) for the language they are currently studying. At least one piece should be written in the foreign language.

Written test

All candidates must take two written tests: firstly the English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT) on 5 November 2008 (see www.elat.org.uk for details) and then also a short written test in Modern Languages during the Oxford interview period in December.

Careers

Graduates in English and Modern Languages go on to a great variety of careers, including broadcasting, publishing, teaching, journalism, the theatre, administration, management, advertising, translation, librarianship and law.

Course summary

1st year Courses

English:

• Introduction to literary studies

One of the following papers:

• Victorian literature or modern literature orOld English literature or Middle English literature

Modern Languages:

• Two language papers
• Two literature papers

Assessment

• First University examinations (Preliminary)
• Six written papers   

2nd year Courses

English:

• Shakespeare
• One period of literature

Modern Languages:

• Continuing language work
• One period of literature paper

Assessment

Two short extended essays for those taking the English language paper (submitted at end of second year but marked in third year as part of Final University examinations)

4th year Courses

English:

• Two papers from a choice including special authors, special topics and period of literature papers

Modern Languages:

• Further language work
• One paper from a choice including special subjects, special authors, linguistics, and period of literature papers

Assessment

• Final University examinations
• Eight written papers (or seven for those who have taken the English language paper; one may be an extended essay); thesis (optional); oral examination (in the modern language)

Admission requirements

• see Entrance requirements table

Departmental/Subject Open Days

• Website: http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate...

Vocational and other qualifications

• Website: http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate.....

English language requirements

• Website: http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses...

For More Information

Faculty Of English & Language Litelature

• Postal addresses: English Faculty
                             St Cross Building
                             Manor Road
                             Oxford OX1 3UQ
                             Oxford
                             UK
• Email: english.office@ell.ox.ac.uk
• Website: http://www.english.ox.ac.uk/

Modern Languages at Oxford

• Postal addresses:The Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages
                             41 Wellington Square
                             Oxford OX1 2JF
                             Oxford
                             UK
• Email: enquiries@mod-langs.ox.ac.uk
• Website: http://www.mod-langs.ox.ac.uk/