Undergraduate · Oxford Ancient and Modern History
Oxford's History (Ancient and Modern) is a three-year degree that runs from the Bronze Age Mediterranean to the present, and it requires every student to take ancient history in both the first year and the later years. It asks for the same grades and the same single essay as Oxford History, and no test. What differs is the syllabus: ancient history is compulsory, not an option, and Latin or Greek can be learnt from scratch. The decision is whether you want the ancient world built into your degree, rather than chosen from a long list.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
Taken from Oxford's History (Ancient and Modern) 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.
Oxford says the course studies Afroeurasian history from the Bronze Age Mediterranean through the Greco-Roman period, late antiquity, the Middle Ages and the early modern period, to the present. The UCAS code is V118.
In Year 1 you take one period of Greek or Roman history, and in Years 2 and 3 at least one further or special subject must be an ancient history option.
The A-level requirement is AAA and the IB requirement is 38 points including core points with 666 at Higher Level. History is highly recommended.
You do not need a qualification in Latin or Greek and can learn either from scratch while at Oxford.
All candidates submit one argument-driven historical essay of up to 2,000 words, with a signed certificate. No written test is required.
Official sources
Read on 31 October 2026 on Oxford's History (Ancient and Modern) course page, which describes 2027 entry. Oxford's History written-work page, the Faculty of History and Classics pages, fees, the contextual-offer details and the 2028-entry values were not read and are not stated.
The course
In the first year students take one period of Greek or Roman history, one period of European or world history, a choice of The world of Homer and Hesiod, Augustan Rome or one of around twenty-five History optional subjects, and a text-based or language paper; the first University examinations are four timed written exams. In Years 2 and 3 there are six courses, including a period of Greek or Roman history, a period of European and world history or British Isles history, further subjects with work on primary sources and special subjects chosen from about forty on the History syllabus or ancient special subjects such as Alexander the Great or Cicero, plus a thesis and an optional Greek or Latin language paper. At least one further or special subject must be ancient.
Ancient and Modern or History
Avandy's Oxford History guide covers the standard degree. Entry grades and the essay are the same; the syllabus is what differs.
you want ancient history to be part of the degree rather than an option, with the freedom to study the medieval, early modern and modern worlds alongside it.
you want the widest possible choice across periods without a requirement to study the ancient world.
Latin or Greek language and literature are central. Avandy's Oxford Classics guide covers that degree. Ancient and Modern is a history degree, with languages optional.
Entry rules
The A-level standard is AAA and the IB standard is 38 points with 666 at Higher Level. No subject is required, but History is highly recommended; a classical language, Classical Civilisation and Ancient History can help. The essay must be argument-driven, no more than 2,000 words, written in normal schoolwork, with the question included and a signed certificate from your school. Oxford says to choose a piece that has enthused you and that you are willing to talk about, and advises against source analyses and commentaries. Tutors look for intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm for ancient history or classics even if you have not studied them. Oxford's page reports an interview rate of 71%, a success rate of 23% and an intake of 24 for the three-year average to 2025; these are historical figures, not a prediction.
A decision framework
This is Avandy's own framework, not Oxford's.
It is compulsory in the first year and again in the later years. Read about the Greco-Roman period before you decide.
It should make an argument without source material and stay within 2,000 words.
It is optional here and possible from scratch, but an optional language paper is available.
Planning for 2028 entry
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.
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Oxford has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Check Oxford's course page for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
Read about the ancient world, choose a stand-alone historical essay and prepare to discuss it.
Support
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, history mentoring and ethical interview practice; Avandy gives no scores or probabilities and does not write submitted work. No outcome is promised.
Questions
AAA at A level, or 38 IB points including core points with 666 at Higher Level. This is Oxford's wording for 2027 entry.
No. Oxford says you do not need a qualification in either and can learn them from scratch while at Oxford.
No. Oxford says you do not need to take a written test as part of an application.
One argument-driven essay on a historical topic of up to 2,000 words, without source analysis, with a signed certificate from your school.
Entry grades and the essay are the same. Ancient history is compulsory in this course, rather than one choice among many.
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
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their history essay, their interest in the ancient world and whether they want to learn Latin or Greek, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.
