Joint Schools

Oxford has a long and distinguished history of research and teaching in dual areas. Studying a Joint School is a fascinating option for those with a strong interest in more than one subject, and especially in how these two subjects interact and illuminate each other.

Magdalen has a strong tradition of promoting and nurturing Joint Schools courses, and has always played a leading role in their initial introduction to the syllabus. The College seeks to continue and extend this tradition and guarantees a significant number of places each year to joint-school applicants. Currently, the following Joint School courses may be studied here:

Classics & English, Classics & Modern Languages, Classics with Oriental Studies, Classical Archaeology & Ancient History,

English & Modern Languages

History & Politics, History & Modern Languages, Ancient & Modern History,

European & Middle-Eastern Languages, Philosophy & Modern Languages, Modern Languages & Linguistics

Mathematics & Philosophy, Mathematics & Computer Science, Physics & Philosophy, Psychology & Philosophy, Philosophy & Linguistics and Psychology & Linguistics.

Owing to its large number of tutorial fellows in Joint Schools subjects — some of whom studied joint subject themselves as undergraduates — and their shared wealth of experience in teaching Joint Schools students, Magdalen is an especially supportive environment in which to pursue courses like these. Exploring the ways in which your chosen options relate and interconnect will provide the satisfaction of each discipline’s enriching the study of the other. We strongly encourage you to consider applying for a joint degree course if you are passionate about more than one of the subjects in which these are offered. Joint Schools courses are carefully designed and weighted so that students do not find themselves doing ‘the work of two courses’; rather, often find that their studies in one subject aid them in exploring the other.

Joint Schools have a distinctive identity. Each has its own senior subject tutor at Magdalen who will look after students during their course and ensure they get the most from their time at the College.

Joint Schools graduates often find themselves uniquely placed to appeal to potential employers. They will emerge particularly adept at time management, as well as at perceiving connections between issues. They have historically gone on to a wide range of careers, from finance to law to international politics.