This page is only relevant to students who have submitted an application for undergraduate study in October 2023. If this does not apply to you, please return to our home page.
Written work — Modern Languages
We would like you to send us one piece of written work in each of the languages for which you are applying, provided you are already studying it at school or elsewhere (if you are applying for two languages, please send one piece in each). They can be short or longer, e.g. a translation or a free or guided composition or commentary on a literary text (poetry or prose). If a translation or a comprehension exercise is sent, please include the original passage. The work should be sent electronically to undergraduate@balliol.ox.ac.uk.
If you are applying for a language in which you will not have reached A‑level standard before university, you do not need to submit anything in that language.
You should also send one piece of written work as an example of your own writing in English, in which you show your ability to construct an argument. If your A‑level (or equivalent) work includes writing about literature in English, please send a literature essay. Otherwise work done in essay form for any A‑level subject will be suitable.
Written work — Joint schools
For Modern Languages and Linguistics, and Philosophy and Modern Languages, the requirements are the same as for Modern Languages.
For History and Modern Languages candidates, the essay in English should be on a historical subject (see the Joint Schools with History page for further guidance).
Those applying to read Modern Languages with either Classics or English are asked to send additional pieces of work, as follows: Classics and Modern Languages candidates are asked to send two essays on classical subjects (see the Classics page for further guidance) as well as the above mentioned language work. English and Modern Languages candidates are asked to send one essay on an English Literature topic (see the English Language and Literature page for further guidance), as well as the above mentioned language work.
Tests
All candidates for Modern Languages, Modern Languages and Linguistics and Modern Languages and Joint Schools are expected to have taken the Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLAT) on 20 October 2023, which featured a short written test (30 minutes in each language) in each language they are studying, or in Linguistic Aptitude for beginners languages. The language tests included a monolingual test and some short sentences to translate from and into the language
In addition, Classics and Modern Languages candidates should have taken either a test in a Classical Language, or a Linguistic Aptitude Test (both as part of the Classics Admissions Test, CAT) on 19 October 2023.
Candidates for History and Modern Languages must also have taken the History Aptitude Test (HAT) on 20 October 2023.
Candidates for English and Modern Languages must also have taken the English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT) on 19 October 2023.
Candidates for Philosophy and Modern Languages must also have taken the Philosophy component of the Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLAT) on 20 October 2023.
Interviews
All interviews in this admissions cycle will be conducted remotely.