Program Overview

MPhil in Modern Languages

The MPhil in Modern Languages is designed to allow those who have a high level of attainment in a foreign language, and have studied literature to a degree level, to undertake more advanced work.

About the Course

The MPhil in Modern Languages allows you to undertake advanced work in one or more linguistic and literary contexts, and as part of the faculty's dedicated comparative pathway. The Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages is one of the largest centres of its kind in the world and is consistently ranked highly in the QS rankings of Modern Languages departments.

Course Structure

The course comprises three components: special subject options, a theoretical or methodological component, and a dissertation. The emphasis in the MPhil course is on self-directed learning. You may choose to pursue the study of one or two literatures (including English) comparatively.

Attendance

The course is full-time and requires attendance in Oxford. Full-time students are subject to the University's Residence requirements.

Resources to Support Your Study

As a graduate student, you will have access to the University's wide range of resources including libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources and IT services. The Bodleian Libraries is the largest library system in the UK.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages. The frequency of your meetings with your supervisor will vary across the year, but students typically meet their supervisor on average at least once a fortnight.

Assessment

For your three special subjects options, with your supervisor(s), you will select your best essay(s) to be submitted for examination. The portfolio will be jointly marked by an examiner and your special subject tutor.

Graduate Destinations

Many MPhil students proceed to doctoral degrees at Oxford or at other universities. Other graduate destinations include teaching, journalism, law, publishing and the civil service.

Entry Requirements

• Proven and potential academic excellence: A first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in the relevant modern language for your proposed study.
• Degree-level qualifications: As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent.
• GRE General Test scores: No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.
• Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience: Although candidates are usually expected to have degree level competence in a modern language, or the academic equivalent, candidates who do not have these qualifications may still be considered if they have attained proficiency in French, German, Italian, Modern Greek, Portuguese, Russian, Slavic languages (eg Czech, Polish, Ukrainian etc), or Spanish at level C1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
• English language proficiency: This course requires proficiency in English at the University's higher level.

Funding

For entry in the academic year, the collegiate University expects to offer over 1,100 full or partial graduate scholarships across a wide range of graduate courses. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential.

Costs

• Annual course fees: The fees for this course are charged on an annual basis.
  • Home: Ł17,910
  • Overseas: Ł43,730
• Living costs: In addition to your course fees and any additional course-specific costs, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.

College Preference

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. The following colleges accept students on the MPhil in Modern Languages:

• Balliol College
• Blackfriars
• Brasenose College
• Campion Hall
• Christ Church
• Exeter College
• Hertford College
• Jesus College
• Keble College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• Lincoln College
• Magdalen College
• Merton College
• New College
• Oriel College
• Pembroke College
• The Queen's College
• Regent's Park College
• St Anne's College
• St Antony's College
• St Catherine's College
• St Cross College
• St Edmund Hall
• St Hilda's College
• St Hugh's College
• St John's College
• St Peter's College
• Somerville College
• Trinity College
• University College
• Wadham College
• Wolfson College
• Worcester College
• Wycliffe Hall

How to Apply

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents.

• Referees: Three overall, of which at least two must be academic.
• Official transcript(s): Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date.
• Statement of purpose: A maximum of 700 words.
• Written work: Two essays of a maximum of 2,000 words each.
• Certificate of language proficiency: As stated in the Entry requirements, this course requires proficiency in at least one of the following languages: French, German, Italian, Modern Greek, Portuguese, Russian, Slavic languages (eg Czech, Polish, Ukrainian etc), or Spanish.