BA History and Modern Languages
About this course
BA in History and Modern Languages, an Italian and History degree centred on the combined study of historical periods, cultural developments and foreign language work. Students spend a compulsory year abroad, typically during the third year, undertaking a university placement, working as a language assistant, or completing an internship. The course culminates in a final-year dissertation project that integrates both subject areas. The first year covers European and World history, a British Isles history period or historical methods paper, practical language work, and two literature papers. The third year includes further European and World history, a history special subject, literature papers, a bridge essay, and optional history or modern languages options alongside an optional additional thesis in history.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: AAA IB: 38 (including core points) with 666 at HL
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What students say
Based on about 265 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 96%
- Learning opportunities: 83%
- Assessment and feedback: 78%
- Academic support: 94%
- Organisation and management: 74%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 63%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 325 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 98%
- Left higher education: 2%
What graduates do next
Based on about 166 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 52%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 21%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 22%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 21%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 9%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 6%
- Find their work meaningful: 74%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 71%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 44%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 320 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 9%
- London: 57%
- South East: 18%
- South West: 4%
- Scotland: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 330 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- European and World history (four options: 370–900; 1000–1300; 1400–1650; 1815–1914)
- Either a British Isles history period, or a historical methods paper, or a foreign text or an optional subject
- Practical language work (two papers)
- Two literature papers
- A period or theme paper European and World history
- Either a special subject in History (two papers), with one additional history or literature option; or three papers selected from history (British history, further subject, thesis) or Modern Languages (special subjects, prescribed authors, extended essay)
- An optional additional thesis in History
- A period of literature
- A paper on one of a wide range of options
- A bridge essay
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA History and Modern Languages at University of Oxford earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £33,000 after 3 years, £46,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £32,000 and £69,000. The £46,000 median after five years is £13,000 more than the UK median for Italian studies.
What do graduates of BA History and Modern Languages at University of Oxford do next?
82% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA History and Modern Languages at University of Oxford?
96% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA History and Modern Languages at University of Oxford?
The typical offer is AAA at A level. The average entrant had 189 UCAS points.
Does BA History and Modern Languages at University of Oxford include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on BA History and Modern Languages at University of Oxford?
98% of students continued into their second year, and 2% left higher education.