A*AA, or 41–42 IB points with 776 at Higher Level
The minimum offer is A*AA at A level, or 41 to 42 IB points with 776 at Higher Level. Cambridge's listed requirements are for entry in 2027 or deferred entry in 2028.
Undergraduate · Cambridge English
Cambridge English: literary study and what the application asks for
Cambridge's English course asks for English Literature, A*AA at A level or the IB equivalent, and two pieces of marked written work that you must be happy to discuss at interview. Most Colleges set no admissions assessment. Teaching is by weekly supervisions in which you discuss one or two short essays, so the sensible way to judge the demands is to ask whether that rhythm of reading, writing and defending suits you. Everything cycle-specific here is Cambridge's wording for 2027 entry; nothing below is a confirmed 2028 requirement.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What Cambridge asks for in English
Taken from Cambridge's English course page and its written-work and interviews pages and read on 31 October 2026. For a normal 2028-entry application, made in 2027, every requirement below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change; Cambridge's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.
English Literature is required
To apply to any College you need English Literature at A level or IB Higher Level (or the equivalent), or English Literature and Language at A level (or the equivalent).
No assessment at most Colleges; two pieces of written work
There is no admissions assessment for this course for the majority of Colleges. You need to submit two pieces of written work, which your assessing College will tell you how to send.
Interviews are academic conversations
Most applicants have one or two interviews lasting a total of 35 minutes to an hour, online or in person depending on the College. You may be given material to read first.
Supervisions every week, a dissertation in year three
You will usually write one or two short essays per week and discuss them with your supervisor. In the third year you write a compulsory dissertation of 6,000 to 7,500 words.
Official sources
- University of Cambridge: English, BA (Hons) (undergraduate course page)undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk
- University of Cambridge: Written work and portfoliosundergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk
- University of Cambridge: What to expect at your Cambridge interviewundergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk
Read on 31 October 2026 on Cambridge's English course page and its written-work and interviews pages, which describes 2027 entry. Individual Colleges' written-work instructions and deadlines, the College-by-College interview formats, the Faculty of English's own pages and the 2028-entry values were not read and are not stated.
The course
A historical foundation, then room to specialise
Cambridge says English gives a solid foundation in the history of English literature from the medieval period to the present day, with the chance to specialise. The first year has two compulsory papers, Practical Criticism and Critical Practice, and Shakespeare, assessed by a portfolio of essays, and students start work on period papers examined in the second year. The second year has one compulsory paper on English literature and its contexts from 1300 to 1550 and three more from a list of period papers. The third year has Practical Criticism II, a Tragedy paper that ranges from ancient Greek drama to contemporary writing, and a compulsory dissertation, with optional papers that change regularly. Teaching is by lectures, seminars and weekly supervisions.
How it differs
Cambridge English is not Oxford English with a different name
Both universities teach English literature to a very high level, but their applications are built differently, so use each university's own page. The Oxford English guide in this series sets out its requirements, which differ from Cambridge's on grades, the number of written pieces and the way the subject is structured. Cambridge's supervision model, with one or two short essays a week, and its historical period structure are also worth weighing on their own terms.
Reading the offer
English Literature is required, and Colleges can ask for more
The minimum offer is A*AA, or 41 to 42 IB points with 776 at Higher Level, and English Literature, or English Literature and Language at A level, is required. Cambridge lists the Colleges that usually set offers at the minimum and those that set additional conditions for some or all offers, such as a higher offer or an A* in a particular subject. Some Colleges usually make IB offers above the minimum. Cambridge also says that common subject combinations among past entrants do not mean those combinations are favoured.
Written work and interviews
Two marked pieces you must be able to discuss
Cambridge says you will need to submit two pieces of written work, and that the College assessing your application will tell you how and when. Cambridge's general guidance is that the work should be marked by your teacher, with their comments included, and should be something you are happy to discuss in an interview. Interviews are academic conversations about the subject, mostly one or two interviews totalling 35 minutes to an hour, online or in person depending on the College. You may be given material to read first. Cambridge's pages for the cycle described gave the main interview period as 7 to 18 December 2026; dates for 2028 entry are not yet published.
A note on preparation
What Cambridge says about commercial interview services
Cambridge says some companies offer interview preparation for a fee, that these services are not endorsed by the University and have no access to exclusive information, and that all official guidance is available free on its website. That is a fair thing for a family to know before they spend anything. The most useful preparation is usually unglamorous: reading widely, writing and revising short essays and learning to defend them. Avandy's support is independent, and it is limited to helping a student plan that work.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit to Cambridge English
This is Avandy's own framework, not Cambridge's.
Do you enjoy defending an essay every week?
Supervisions are conversations about your writing. If you like being questioned about what you have said, the model will suit you.
Will the historical range excite you?
The course moves from medieval writing to the present. Think about how you will respond to periods you have not yet read.
Which two pieces would you be proud to discuss?
Pick marked work you can talk about at length and explain, rather than the most polished.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Applying for 2028 entry means applying in 2027, under rules Cambridge has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means Cambridge published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means Cambridge has not yet published it.
Grades, the English Literature rule, the two pieces of written work and the absence of an assessment at most Colleges: last verified for 2027 entry
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Cambridge has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
UCAS deadline, written-work deadlines, interview dates and any change to selection arrangements: awaiting publication for 2028 entry
Check Cambridge's English course page and its written-work and interviews pages for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
What to do now
Keep your best marked English Literature essays with your teacher's comments, read beyond the syllabus, and practise discussing your own writing aloud.
Support
Independent support with course choice and preparation
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the University of Cambridge or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here helps a student plan reading, essay practice and the choice of marked work; it does not write, edit or rewrite any submitted piece, and Avandy has no access to exclusive Cambridge information. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
What are the Cambridge English entry requirements?
A*AA at A level, or 41 to 42 IB points with 776 at Higher Level, with English Literature required. This is Cambridge's wording for entry in 2027 or deferred entry in 2028.
Is there an admissions test for Cambridge English?
Cambridge says there is no admissions assessment for this course for the majority of Colleges, and points to its College admission assessments page for exceptions.
What written work do I submit?
Two pieces. Cambridge's general guidance is that they should be marked by your teacher, with their comments included, and be something you are happy to discuss at interview. Your College will give the exact instructions.
What happens at interview?
Interviews are academic conversations about the subject, online or in person depending on the College. Most applicants have one or two, totalling 35 minutes to an hour, and may be given material to read first.
Does Cambridge endorse interview coaching companies?
No. Cambridge says such services are not endorsed by the University, have no exclusive information, and that all official guidance is available free.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Cambridge's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the course page again when Cambridge publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Cambridge English
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their English Literature work and their two marked pieces, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.