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Overview

Typical offer: A*AA-A*A*A with A* in the language(s) to be continued to degree level (or equivalent)

Required subjects: Intended language to be studied at degree level

Useful subjects: Other languages

Number of students per year: Around 4

Lucy Cavendish has a small but welcoming Modern and Medieval Languages community, comprising Bachelors, Masters, and PhD students, along with Erasmus students.

The BA in Modern and Medieval Languages is a flexible degree course, and offers the opportunity to study two languages from French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish, or to combine one of these with Classical Latin or Greek. MML graduates have gone on to pursue successful careers in a variety of fields, including journalism, the arts, marketing, law, finance, teaching and the Diplomatic Service; a small number become translators and interpreters.

 

 

The Modern and Medieval Languages course at Cambridge is flexible and wide-ranging in scope, offering students opportunities to study in depth the culture, history, literature, philosophy, art and film relating to the languages taught.

In each year of the degree, students take papers of two kinds:

  • Language papers that focus on employing and extending active language skills.
  • ‘scheduled papers’ which focus on the culture, history, literature, philosophy, art and film culture of languages focused on by students.

The degree requires the study of two languages, at least for two years. One may be a classical language (Latin or Greek).

In third year, students embark on a year abroad.

Further information regarding the paper options available for specific languages can be found on the Faculty and University websites. 

Typical offers require

  • A Level: A*AA-A*A*A with A* in the language(s) to be continued to degree level. Typical offer will be based on subjects taken at A Level. For those who wish to study one language post A Level, the offer will usually be based on A*AA, with A* in the post-A Level language. For those who wish to study two languages post-A Level, the offer will usually be based on A*A*A, with A* both languages.
  • IB: 42 points, with 776 in Higher Level, including 7 at HL of the language intended to be studied at degree level
  • Advanced Highers: A1, A2, A2

For other qualifications see the main entrance requirements pages on the University website. 

Subject Requirements

A-level

Required: Intended language(s) to be studied at degree level

Highly recommended: Other languages

IB

Required: Intended language(s) to be studied at degree level

Highly recommended: Other languages

Mature students and those taking other qualifications are encouraged to contact our Admissions Office (at admissions@lucy.cam.ac.uk) to discuss the entry requirements for their qualifications.

Written work

Applicants are required to submit two pieces of written work. Please see our guidance document for more information on the submission of written work. 

Assessments

Applicants shortlisted for interview are required to sit a Cambridge College registered admissions assessment. Applicants do not need to register themselves for this assessment in advance.

Interviews

Interviews allow us to distinguish amongst excellent applicants by assessing the skills and aptitudes essential for successful study in higher education, and your academic qualities – essentially, how do you think?

For 2024 entry, interviews for all applicants to Lucy Cavendish will take place virtually. The aims and content will still be the same as in-person interviews. You can read more about Lucy Cavendish's online interviews here and you can read the University's information on interviews here.

Each candidate typically has two interviews, lasting between twenty and thirty minutes. In some cases, you will be given preparatory material beforehand.

In a few subjects, you will be interviewed by more than one College or in the Faculty. You will be notified of this in your interview invitation.

Supracurricular exploration is an important way to expand your knowledge of your subject, explore your interests and develop your skills. Our new webpage contains guidance on supracurricular exploration and a comprehensive source of resources, grouped according to undergraduate degrees at Cambridge. 

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We send out monthly newsletters to update you on exciting events and opportunities happening both in Lucy Cavendish College and across the wider university. 

Attend an open day or event

Our Events and Open Days page advertises regular events held by Lucy Cavendish College. If you can, join us for a College Open Day to discuss your application with a member of our admissions team.