English and one modern language, over four years
The course combines English literature from Anglo-Saxon to the present with practical language training and the literature of a European language. Year 3 is spent abroad.
Undergraduate · Oxford English and Modern Languages
Oxford English and Modern Languages: a literature degree in two languages
Oxford's English and Modern Languages course asks a student to read literature in English from Anglo-Saxon to the present and in a modern European language, with a year abroad in the third year. Applicants are expected to hold English Literature or English Language and Literature, and to have the language to A level unless they apply for a beginners' route. One piece of English writing is submitted and there is no pre-interview language test. The decision is whether you want literature in two languages at once, rather than either subject alone.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What Oxford asks for in English and Modern Languages
Taken from Oxford's English and Modern Languages course page 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; Oxford's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.
AAA, or 38 IB points with 666 at Higher Level
The A-level requirement is AAA and the IB requirement is 38 points including core points with 666 at Higher Level.
English Literature, and usually the language
Candidates are expected to have English Literature, or English Language and Literature, and would usually be expected to hold the language to A level or equivalent. B1 proficiency may be considered, and beginners' routes exist.
One English essay, no language test
Candidates submit one piece of written work in English for the English part of the course. There is no pre-interview language test in the cycle described.
A text-and-grammar interview
The Modern Languages interview normally has three parts: discussion of a text, a grammar exercise and your personal statement. Shortlisted applicants may be asked to talk about a piece of prose or verse.
Official sources
Read on 31 October 2026 on Oxford's English and Modern Languages course page, which describes 2027 entry. Oxford's English Language and Literature written-work page, the Modern Languages faculty pages, fees, the contextual-offer details and the 2028-entry values were not read and are not stated.
The course
Half an English degree, half a modern languages degree
In the first year students take an introduction to English language and literature, one period paper from single honours English, two practical language papers and two literature papers in the modern language; all six written papers must be passed but do not count towards the final degree. In Years 2 and 4, with Year 3 spent abroad, they take three papers from single honours English and a dissertation, plus four Modern Language papers: practical language work with an oral examination, a period of literature and options such as prescribed authors from the twelfth to twenty-first centuries, a special subject or a linguistics paper. Papers are examined by extended essays over the second and fourth years and by practical and written examinations at the end of the fourth.
Joint or single honours
When English and Modern Languages is the better degree
Avandy's Oxford English and Oxford Modern Languages guides cover the single-honours courses.
Choose the joint course if
you want to read literature in two languages and compare how each tradition handles genre, form and period, and you are happy with fewer English papers than a single honours student.
Choose standalone English if
you want the full English syllabus and no language commitment.
Choose standalone Modern Languages if
two languages or a more intensive language focus matter more than English literature.
Entry rules
Two subject expectations and one piece of English writing
The A-level standard is AAA and the IB standard is 38 points with 666 at Higher Level. Oxford expects English Literature, or English Language and Literature, and for a post-A-level route would usually expect the language to A level or equivalent. A beginners' route needs English but not the language. One piece of written work in English is submitted. Oxford says there is no pre-interview language test; the Modern Languages interview normally has three parts, and may include a short conversation in the target language. Oxford's page reports an interview rate of 86%, a success rate of 31% and an intake of 30 for the three-year average to 2025; these are historical figures, not a prediction.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Oxford's.
Do you read in both languages for pleasure?
Oxford says successful applicants will read widely and enjoy writing and talking about literature and language.
Is the language at the right starting point?
A level or equivalent for the post-A-level route; a beginners' route otherwise.
Which essay shows English literary analysis?
Choose a piece that argues a case about a text and that you can discuss.
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 Oxford has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means Oxford published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means Oxford has not yet published it.
Grades, the subject expectations, the English essay and the Modern Languages interview: last verified for 2027 entry
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Oxford has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
The UCAS deadline, the written-work deadline and interview dates: awaiting publication for 2028 entry
Check Oxford's course page for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
What to do now
Choose the language and route, select an English essay and prepare for a text-and-grammar interview.
Support
Independent support with course choice and preparation
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the University of Oxford 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 means course-fit advice, literature and language mentoring and ethical interview practice; Avandy gives no scores or probabilities and does not write submitted work. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
What are the entry requirements for Oxford English and Modern Languages?
AAA at A level, or 38 IB points including core points with 666 at Higher Level. This is Oxford's wording for 2027 entry.
Do I need English Literature?
Yes. Oxford expects English Literature, or English Language and Literature, to A level, Higher Level in the IB or an equivalent.
Do I need the language at A level?
For the post-A-level route you would usually be expected to; a beginners' route exists for some languages.
What written work is needed?
One piece of written work in English for the English part of the course.
Is there a year abroad?
Yes. The course is four years with the third year spent abroad.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Oxford's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the course page again when Oxford publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Oxford English and Modern Languages
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their English Literature reading, the modern language and level and the writing they could submit, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.