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Applying for Modern Languages at Oxford involves a number of different steps. These steps are all taken into consideration by admissions tutors when making decisions. 

The best thing to do if you are thinking of applying is to familiarise yourself with these steps as early as possible and make sure you take note of any key deadlines. For example, the UCAS deadline for all Oxford courses is 15 October (rather than the usual deadline of late January). This is to account for all the other steps of the Oxford admissions process. 

A guide on how to apply to Oxford is available here and you can find a helpful timeline for all elements of the admissions process here. 

Below are more specific points about the application for modern languages degrees. You can also refer to the University's specific course pages to find out more for your individual course. 

Please note that: in 2026, for entry in 2027, candidates do not need to take a written test as part of an application for any of the following courses: Modern Languages, Modern Languages and Linguistics, Classics and Modern Languages, English and Modern Languages, European and Middle Eastern Languages, History and Modern Languages, and Philosophy and Modern Languages.

Candidates’ linguistic ability and potential will be assessed at interview.  Further information will be provided in due course.

 

Step 1: Choose your course and college
  • Our course finder is the best way to explore the various course combinations we offer, including joint degrees such as History and Spanish.
  • You can then find out which colleges offer the course(s) you are interested in applying for here.

Please note: it is not obligatory to choose a college. You may decide instead to make an open application. Around 20-30% of students do this each year. More information about choosing a college or making an open application can be found here. 

Step 2: Submit your UCAS application

General guidance about the UCAS application can be found here. 

Your UCAS application comprises of:

  • Personal details about you
  • Your predicted or actual grades
  • Your teacher reference(s)
  • Your personal statement

Our main piece of advice for the personal statement is to highlight why you are interested in the language(s) you are applying to study and what you have done beyond your school work to engage with the language(s) or cultures where the language(s) is/are spoken. This could be anything: reading short stories, poems, or a novel by a writer you like or whose ideas you are interested in; watching a foreign film or TV series; listening to podcasts; watching YouTube videos. All of these things can be carried out either in the target language or via English (e.g. reading translations, using subtitles).

More guidance about writing a good personal statement for Modern Languages can be found here. 

Throughout the admissions process, tutors are looking for motivation for and commitment to the degree, as well as intellectual curiosity and critical engagement.  

Step 3: Attend online interviews

Interviews take place in early December. You will find out if you have been shortlisted for interview approximately a week beforehand.

All interviews now take place online and last approximately 20-30 minutes.

Interviews are designed to simulate a tutorial. They vary in structure/content depending on the academic tutor(s) leading them, but these are common elements:

  • You may be given a short piece of writing to look at during the interview. You may be asked to read this aloud; then you’ll be asked questions on it;
  • You may be asked about your wider reading, and about the personal statement you have made on the UCAS form;
  • Some of the interview may be conducted in the foreign language(s).

There is typically a separate interview for each language/subject you are applying for. For a variety of reasons, you may be interviewed by more than one college.

In essence, the interview is a chance to show tutors why you are interested in the course, where your key interests lie and what you would be like to teach. Tutors will be assessing your:

  • reading comprehension and response;
  • general linguistic aptitude and potential;
  • fluency in the spoken language;
  • competence in English, where relevant;
  • willingness and ability to express ideas;
  • ability to listen and give considered responses;
  • breadth of reading and ability to discuss that reading;
  • aptitude for literary study;
  • curiosity and critical engagement;
  • motivation and commitment.

Tutors also know that interviews can be nerve-wracking for students and will factor this in to the process. They are looking to get the best out of every student they interview and want you to do well. While it can be scary, try to relax and treat the interview as an opportunity to showcase your skills, interests, and motivation, and to have an interesting conversation with an expert in the subject(s) you love.

Here's a video of a typical modern languages admissions interview:

General guidance and further interview resources can be found here. 

Step 4: Hear back from the University 

Final decisions are communicated via UCAS and the individual colleges in the January following the interviews. Tutors make their decisions based on all aspects of the admissions process, following the Modern Languages selection criteria. 

 

Full information on the application process is available from Oxford University's Admissions website: