History and Modern Languages

Studying History and Modern Languages at Cambridge

UCAS Code: VR18
Number admitted to Cambridge every year: 44
Minimum offer: A*AA
Essential subjects: History, the language you wish to study (if you will not be studying it from scratch)

Studying History and Modern Languages at St Edmund’s College

Every year, we admit a group of undergraduate students to the History, History and Politics, History and Modern Languages and Modern Languages degree programmes. We’re also home to postgraduates studying for MPhils and PhDs in History, Languages and related subjects. Our Director of Studies for History can often be found in College. This means you’ll be part of a thriving community and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to discuss your studies in social settings around the College if you wish.

You are taught in a mix of college based small group supervisions and Faculty lectures and classes.

The college offers several spaces where you can study and work on your essays including the Paul Luzio Library building, the Norfolk library, study desks in the Mount Pleasant Halls Common Room (CR), the comfortable couches of the Norfolk Building CR, in Edspresso, our café, or the benches in our lovely apple orchards.

We also have 6 study rooms (2 in the Luzio building, 2 in Norfolk building, and 1 in Mount Pleasant Halls), where college supervisions typically take place, and which can also be booked by students for their private study time or group projects.

Our college also has an extremely supportive Wellbeing Team, which is happy to lend an ear and provide support should a student feel anxious or overwhelmed with the academic year.

What can I do with a degree in History and Modern Languages?

The most popular 3 employment areas for graduates from History and Modern Languages courses at Cambridge are teaching, communications and publishing and public service. Law, PR and consultancy are also popular sectors, and many students continue to further study. The History and Modern Language degree will equip you with a range of useful transferable skills including advanced language skills, and the ability to evaluate evidence, deal with large amounts of information and speak and write with clarity.

For more information, please visit the University Careers Service website

What is a typical Term’s work

You’ll have a mixture of lectures, intensive language classes, seminars and small group supervisions. Weekly one-hour supervisions taught in College are the focal point of the academic week, providing personal supervision and the opportunity to debate with and learn from senior academics. You’ll also complete translation and essay assignments which you’ll discuss with a subject specialist. In supervisions, you’ll receive constructive feedback on your work and further guidance.

Alongside preparing for your weekly supervision, which remains the centrepiece of the Cambridge experience, you’ll attend a number of lectures each week. Parts of the course are also taught through seminars where group discussion, small group work and presentations are encouraged. You’ll have about 14 hours of lectures and classes each week. You’ll be assessed through written exams, coursework and an oral examination in your chosen language.

What we look for

History and Modern Languages students come from a diverse range of backgrounds. Apart from History and, if applicable, the language you wish to study, you do not need any particular subjects at A level. However, you should enjoy making analytical judgements, be able to think laterally, discriminate critically, enjoy reading, be curious about the cultures of other countries, and have a desire to develop an understanding of the past and present in international contexts.

How to apply

Applications for all courses are made through UCAS. There are two deadlines for mature students applying for this course:

15 October 2026 (6pm UK time)
13 January 2027 (6pm UK time)

The January deadline is most suitable for applicants who are currently studying one-year courses who will be in a stronger position to submit their UCAS form in January and will be better prepared for interviews in the spring than in December. In most other cases, it is best to apply in October.

Requirements

You’ll need to have either A Levels of A*AA, or the IB with 41-42 points, 776 at Higher Level or an Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 credits at distinction. You will need to have studied History at A Level, IB Higher Level or as part of your Access Diploma. If you do not plan to study your chosen language from scratch, you must also have studied it at A Level or equivalent.

Written work

Admissions assessment

All applicants for History with Modern Languages at St Edmund’s will be required to take a History admissions test and a written test for MML (the test you take depends on whether you are taking a post-A Level or ab-initio Language). There is also a short assessment during the MML part of the interview.

Further information about this will be provided. You’ll be registered for the assessment by us if you are invited to interview; candidates do not need to register themselves.

Please note that your performance in the assessment at interview will not be considered in isolation, but will be taken into account alongside the other elements of your application.

Interviews

Deferred entry

Affiliated students

Our People

Dr Oliver Coates, Director of Studies: History
Dr Emanuela Davey, Director of Studies: Modern Languages
Dr Simon Mitton, Life Fellow and College Fellow at St Edmund’s College, Department History and Philosophy of Science
Dr John F Mueller, Bye-Fellow

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