History and Modern Languages

The new BA in History and Modern Languages will accommodate many different interests and approaches, including language, culture, film, and political thought, alongside modern British, European, American and world history. Students will spend the third year abroad, studying or working in a foreign country, and the course is likely to prove a springboard into a huge variety of careers, from journalism and broadcasting to law, business and finance.

Our four-year degree encompasses intensive study in language, culture, film, the history of political thought and a wide variety of modern British, European, American and world history. Like other language students, you spend the third year abroad – studying or working in a foreign country, and immersing yourself in the language, culture and history.

History and Modern Languages is a four-year course, comprised of Part I and Part II.

In Part Ia, students enhance their written and spoken language skills abd study a related course. Alongside this, student choose one ‘Outline’ course from History Part Ia, which introduce students to broad themes within a specific historical period. In Part 1b, students continue to advance their language study and take three further courses. The three further courses are a further course related to your language, a History ‘Topic’ course, and either an additional MMLL paper or the History Ib ‘Research Project’.

The first-year of Part II is a year abroad, during which students will prepare a Year Abroad Project which will cover culture, thought, history or politics of a country. At the start of the final year, students take an Advanced Oral examination. Students will also study advanced language courses in your chosen language and three other advanced courses from wither faculties. Students have the option of submitting a dissertation in place of one of these papers.

Further information can be found on the Faculty and University websites. 

Typical offers require

• A Level: A*AA-A*A*A, with A* in History (if taken) and/or the relevant language to be studied post-A-Level. Typical offers will be based on subjects taken - for those wanting to study a language post-A-Level, the offer will usually be A*A*A, with A* in History and A* in the language to be studied post-A-Level.
• IB: 42 points, with 776 at Higher Level including HL 7 in History (if taken) and/or the relevant language to be studied post-HL. Typical offers will be based on subjects taken - for those wanting to study a language post-HL, the offer will usually be A*A*A, with A* in History (if taken) and A* in the language to be studied post-HL.
• Advanced Highers: A1, A2, A2-A1, A1, A2, with A1 in History  (if taken) and/or the relevant language to be studied post-Advanced Highers. Typical offers will be based on subjects taken - for those wanting to study a language post-Advanced Highers, the offer will usually be A*A*A, with A* in History (if taken) and A* in the language to be studied post-Advanced Highers.

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

Subject Requirements

A-level

Required: A relevant Language (if wanting to continue with a Language currently studied)

Highly recommended: Languages, History

IB

Required: A relevant Language at Higher Level (if wanting to continue with a Language currently studied)

Highly recommended: Higher Level Languages, Higher Level History

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

Students will be required to submit two pieces of written work. 

Assessments

Applicants shortlisted for interview will be required to take a Cambridge College registered assessments. This will be a language assessment, the format of which will depend on whether language is to be studied from scratch or post A Level. Applicants do not need to register themselves for this assessment in advance. More information is available here. 

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?

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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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.