English

Why study English at Oxbridge?

  • Broad course - English at Cambridge differs from English Language and Literature at Oxford (not just in name); yet both courses are equally intensive in its breadth and depth of research.
    • OXFORD: First year explores literature 650-1150 and 1830-present day, with an opportunity to focus on either medieval or post-medieval literature from second year onwards. FHS explores a narrow period of literature in further detail, where you will explore your own interests within a particular era. Language theory is also a component of the course at Oxford.
    • CAMBRIDGE: First year explores critical theory in extensive detail and Shakespeare; understanding the foundations of literary criticism. This knowledge will be applied in second year onwards to a wide range of eras, where the focus is on the contexts of literature and its cultural influences.​
  • Flexibility - with the exception of the set commentaries in Old and Middle Literature, there are no set texts that you must study. As long as it is relevant to the module you are studying, whether in era, topic or genre, it can be studied!
  • Fast paced - you will be expected to study and work from new texts every week. It is an intense course but allows for so much depth and breadth within modules.
  • Strong transferable skills - English graduates go on to work in a wide range of fields. An English degree reinforces strong transferable skills which are applicable to almost every workplace, such as critical thinking, close analytical reading and effective communication.


Lifestyle

Typical Weekly Timetable (1st year)

English is orientated around independent study - lectures are optional and contact hours (tutorials and seminars) are often to the discretion of the tutors. As a result, there is no set timetable for English.

​It is recommended you work a 35-40 hour working week - about six hours devoted to lectures, six to ten in small group teaching (this is college dependent), and the rest is on reading and researching. The workload will be slightly different every week, so the most important thing is to be flexible and adapt your schedule when necessary!

Application Process

Ideal Preparation Timeline (2022 Entry)​

  • Over the course of Year 12*: broaden your reading range and find inspiration for what interests you. Boost supra-curricular activities over this time as well, extending into the summer. Ensure you are on track to achieve strong grades to put in a competitive application.
  • July - November:  Practise for the ELAT. Several practise papers should be undertaken during this time.
  • August - October:  Work on your personal statement. Have a first draft done by September and aim to have it completed by the beginning of October.
  • November - December: Prepare for your interview. 
  • January onwards: The easy (ish) part is over - focus on achieving those grades!
* or equivalent

Key Dates

  • October 15  - UCAS Deadline (includes personal statement)
  • November 4  - English Literature Admissions Test 
  • November - Submission of written work deadline (Cambridge)*
  • November 10 - Submission of written work deadline (Oxford)
  • Early-mid December - Interviews

*Only some Cambridge colleges require written work submission, find out more.

Grade Requirements

OXFORD
  • A-Levels: AAA
  • Advanced Highers: AA/AAB
  • IB: 39 (including core points) with 666 at Higher Level. 

CAMBRIDGE
  • A-Levels: A*AA
  • Advanced Highers: A1, A2, A2
  • IB: 40-42 (including core points) with 776 at Higher Level. 

Recommended/Required A-Level Choices

OXFORD
  • Must take: English Literature/English Language and Literature to A Level, Advanced Higher, Higher Level in the IB or any other equivalent
  • Recommended: a language or History.
    • Although they are not necessary, they’re very helpful in understanding general history surrounding the texts, as well as important grammar understanding which are applicable when you come to learn Old/Middle English.

CAMBRIDGE
  • Must take: English Literature to A Level, Advanced Higher, Higher Level in the IB or any other equivalent. This is required by all colleges, but some may accept English Language and Literature as a substitute. Find out more.

Additional notes on entry requirements

Written Work
  • All colleges at Oxford and some colleges at Cambridge require written work to be submitted.
  • This would be two school/college essays of roughly 2000 words, which should be submitted shortly after application (a set deadline is often early November).
  • It is recommended you choose essays that were handed in as part of school work or coursework related to your English classes, and they should have been written recently to be more reflective of your current writing.

College-set written assessments
  • If applying to Churchill College, Magdalene College and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, applicants invited to interview will also be expected to sit a College-set written assessment at the interview.

Supracurriculars

What are supra-curriculars?

English-specific advice

  • Read broadly and widely; having an understanding of different forms, styles, genres and periods will equip you well in understanding the defining characteristics of each genre and era.
  • Examine what you are reading - instead of focusing on the content, consider how the text fits into a particular genre (or how it doesn’t!)
  • Tutors will not expect you to have read everything, but they will expect you to read with consideration and with critical eyes. It is much more important to have a few texts that you can gain some perspective on in how it fits into literature than a broad range with little critical examination.
  • Make connections between the texts you read; how are they similar and how are they different? Many texts are connected through broad strokes of literature, so explore them!
  • Universities often publish their own reading lists and their own lectures on certain texts (and there are some great ones on YouTube as well!) online. Use these as a starting point and explore what interests you.

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