Modern Languages at Oxford — Admissions Guide 2027

Typical offer: AAA at A-Level. An A-Level in the language(s) you wish to study is normally expected for the main European languages. Beginners' courses are available in Czech, Modern Greek, Polish, and Portuguese. IB: 38 points with 6,6,6 at Higher Level. Around 743 applicants for 211 places (roughly 4:1).

Apply via UCAS by 15 October 2025. The MLAT (Modern Languages Admissions Tests) is sat in early November — language-specific tests depending on your chosen languages. Written work is submitted afterwards. Interviews run in December: typically 2 interviews, one focused on language skills and one on literary or cultural discussion.

Modern Languages interviews test your ability to discuss literature, culture, and ideas in an analytical way. One interview may be partly conducted in your target language. You may be asked to discuss a text or film you have studied, or given an unseen passage to analyse. Interviewers want genuine intellectual engagement with the culture, not just linguistic fluency.

Write about literature, films, or cultural works in your target language that have genuinely engaged you. Show that you can think analytically about texts, not just summarise them. Demonstrate cultural curiosity beyond the A-Level syllabus. If you have read authors in the original language, mention specific works and what interested you.

Year 1 (Prelims): Language skills, introduction to literature and linguistics. Year 2: Advanced literature and culture papers. Year 3: Year abroad — studying or working in a country where your language is spoken. Year 4 (Finals): Specialist papers, dissertation, and advanced language.

All Oxford colleges offer Modern Languages, though not all offer every language combination. Check which colleges support your specific language pairing before applying. Open application is valid.

Oxford Modern Languages graduates enter international business, diplomacy, journalism, publishing, media, consulting, law, translation, and academia. The combination of advanced language skills, cultural knowledge, and analytical thinking is highly valued.

International applicants are welcome. Native speakers of a target language can still apply but should be aware that the course focuses on literary and cultural analysis, not language acquisition. IELTS 7.5 overall with 7.0 per component.