History (Ancient & Modern)

Oxford

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Why?

Oxford offers you one of the best history departments in the world, with world-class researchers and historians such as Sir Colin Lucas, Margaret Macmillan, Robert Service, Martin Kemp and Diarmaid MacCulloch. Famous alumni include Clement Attlee, Harold Wilson, T.E. Lawrence, Evelyn Waugh and Graham Greene.

Course

In first year, you must take four papers covering: Greek or Roman history; European or World history; Homer and Hesiod or Augustan Rome and; text-based paper; or historiography; or approaches to history.

In second and third year, you pick further 6 papers and can choose from 90 optional papers. Final examinations take place in third year and involve 6 written exams and 1 thesis, or alternatively, 5 exams, 1 thesis and 1 extended essay.

Your weekly timetable centres around a weekly tutorial essay and the tutorial, with each essay requiring around 20 hours of work. In addition, you are expected to attend around 3-7 lectures and, depending on your course selection, may be required to attend weekly classes.

Applying

Ancient and Modern History requires AAA A level or 38 points at IB, but, most applicants will have higher grades. History A level is highly recommended but not essential. A classical language, Classical Civilisation and Ancient History are also welcomed but they are not required for admission. Oxford uses contextual data as part of their decision-making process; this means that achievements in relation to school and postcode are considered when deciding to offer interviews, yet applicants are still expected to achieve the minimum grade requirements. History applicants must take the History Aptitude Test and will be expected to achieve 60+ marks in order to be invited for an interview.

A strong applicant will have a thorough grasp of at least a few historical periods that they are able to discuss and analyse, completed with extra-reading of relevant and high-calibre historians. They will be able to demonstrate excellent writing and research skills and the ability to consider historical events from multiple perspectives.

Statistics

2017 - Applications: 104, Offers: 29, Acceptance Rate: 22%.

HOW WE CAN HELP

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