Classics

Magdalen may fairly claim to be one of the strongest classical Colleges in Oxford. In many years it is also among the more popular colleges for applicants. However, since a considerable number of Magdalen candidates are offered places at other colleges, your chances of admission to Oxford are unlikely to be reduced if you apply to Magdalen.

There are regularly between 25 and 30 undergraduates studying Classics and related subjects here at any one time. We actively encourage applications for Course II, which is for those with little or no prior knowledge of Latin or Greek. We also place great value on the Joint Schools in Classics and Modern Languages, in Classics and Oriental Studies (with Classics as the main subject), and in Classics and English. 

There are separate entries about the degrees in Ancient and Modern History, Archaeology and Anthropology, and Classical Archaeology and Ancient History.

Tuition

The study of the Greek and Latin languages and their literature here is supervised by Dr Felix Budelmann, whose particular interests are Greek tragedy and lyric. Barney Taylor, a College Lecturer, teaches in particular Latin literature. Andrew Hobson, the University's Grammatikos, is a Fellow of the College and has special responsibility for language teaching.

Our Fellow in Ancient History is Dr Alfonso Moreno whose special interest is Greek economic history.

Philosophy is supervised by Dr Lizzie Fricker; a further fellow is Dr Jeff Russell. Classics students are looked after in their study of Philosophy by Dr Ralph Walker, whose teaching specialisms include ancient philosophy (Plato and Aristotle).

The College Library maintains an unusually strong classical section. All incoming students are offered copies of the Oxford Latin Dictionary and/or the Liddell and Scott Greek Lexicon on loan until Mods.

Entry procedures

Candidates for Classics and Classics and Oriental Studies must submit two pieces of marked written work - normally essays in areas relevant to Classics. These should preferably not be short, timed essays or brief commentaries, but we realise that not all candidates have the opportunity to write essays as part of their Greek or Latin work at school. For Classics and English, candidates must submit two pieces of marked written work, ideally one relating to Classics and one to English. For Classics and Modern Languages, candidates must submit two pieces of work for each side of the course. For all written work submissions, candidates should send three copies of each piece of work. The copies should be secured with a paperclip only and have a completed cover sheet. These must be sent directly to Magdalen College, c/o Tutor for Admissions, to reach the College no later than 10th November.

All candidates for Classics and the joint schools are required to take a language test or tests on 7th November 2012. Candidates applying for Course I must take a test either in Latin or Greek or both, depending on which subject(s) you are taking to A-level (or equivalent). Candidates applying for Course II must take a Classics Language Aptitude Test. Further information on the tests, including specimen test papers, can be found on the Undergraduate Admissions pages; see the following link: www.admissions.ox.ac.uk/tests. Classics and Classics and Oriental Studies candidates are sometimes asked to come to Oxford one day before the officially announced date.

Other languages and literatures, history, and mathematics all make excellent A-level combinations with Classics. The standard conditional offer is AAA at A2; D3 D3 D3 at Pre-U; or 39 points in the IB, with 7, 6, 6 from three subjects at Higher Level; or equivalent qualifications.

The Classics tutors are ready to allow entrants to take a ‘gap year’ off after A-levels, especially if they are relatively young and if they have something in particular that they want to do in that time. Please note, however, that Magdalen cannot normally consider deferred entry for the joint degrees of Classics and English, and Classics and Modern Languages.

Further information

The tutors are happy to answer further enquiries, and to see potential candidates. You are warmly invited to visit on one of the annual College Open Days.

External links