A four-year joint degree
Oxford says the course brings together approaches to understanding language, literature and ideas, with the third year spent abroad.
Undergraduate · Oxford Philosophy and Modern Languages
Oxford Philosophy and Modern Languages: argument and a language, with a year abroad
Oxford's Philosophy and Modern Languages is a four-year joint degree that puts philosophical argument beside advanced study of one modern language and its literature, with the third year abroad. It needs no written work and no pre-interview test, but it expects the language to be one you already study unless you apply as a beginner. The decision is whether you want both disciplines rather than either one alone.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What Oxford asks for in Philosophy and Modern Languages
Taken from Oxford's Philosophy 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 IB 39 with 666
The A-level requirement is AAA. The IB requirement is 39 points including core points, with 666 at Higher Level.
The language is usually expected
Applicants would usually be expected to have the language to A-level or an equivalent, unless applying for a beginner's course.
No test, no written work
Oxford says there is no pre-interview language test in the cycle described and that no written work is needed.
A text-based interview
Shortlisted candidates are invited to at least one online interview; Modern Languages interviews normally have three parts.
Official sources
Read on 31 October 2026 on Oxford's Philosophy and Modern Languages course page, which describes 2027 entry. Oxford's Philosophy and Modern Languages faculty pages, the language-specific options and course codes, fees, the contextual-offer details and the 2028-entry values were not read and are not stated.
The degree
Two disciplines in equal measure
Oxford says the first year combines general philosophy, moral philosophy and logic with practical language work and the study of important literary works, ending in six written papers, two in Philosophy and four in Modern Languages. Years two and four continue both subjects around a year abroad in the third year. Students must pass the first University examinations to progress.
Is it the right degree?
A joint degree against its neighbours
Philosophy and Modern Languages sits between several Oxford courses.
Choose Philosophy and Modern Languages if
you want rigorous argument and a language, and are happy to be assessed on both.
Choose Modern Languages if
you want language and literature without the philosophy. Avandy's Oxford Modern Languages guide covers it.
Choose Philosophy and Theology if
you want philosophy beside religion rather than a language. Avandy's Oxford Philosophy and Theology guide covers it.
Entry rules
AAA, the language, and no test or written work
A-level applicants need AAA; IB applicants need 39 points including core points with 666 at Higher Level. Applicants would usually be expected to have the language to A-level or an equivalent unless applying for a beginner's course. Oxford says there is no pre-interview language test in the cycle described and no written work is needed. Shortlisted candidates are interviewed online, normally in three parts. This page states no scores.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Oxford's.
Which language, and at what level?
Post-A-level and beginner routes have different expectations.
Do you enjoy argument as much as literature?
Both are examined, in separate papers.
Is a year abroad attractive?
It is built into the course.
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 test and written-work position and the interview arrangements: 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, interview dates and any test or written-work arrangements: awaiting publication for 2028 entry
Check Oxford's course page for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
What to do now
Confirm the subject expectations, read the course structure and plan your preparation around it.
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, subject mentoring and ethical interview practice; Avandy gives no scores or probabilities and does not supply interview questions or write submitted work. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
What does Oxford Philosophy and Modern Languages require?
AAA at A level, or IB 39 points including core points with 666 at Higher Level, in Oxford's wording for 2027 entry.
Do I need the language already?
Applicants would usually be expected to have it to A-level or an equivalent, unless applying for a beginner's course.
Is there an admissions test?
Oxford says there is no pre-interview language test in the cycle described.
Do I submit written work?
No. Oxford says no written work is needed.
How long is the course?
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 Philosophy and Modern Languages
Tell us about the student's curriculum, which language they would study, their current level in it and how much philosophy appeals to them, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.