Modern & Medieval Languages
Why choose Girton?
Girton has a strong history in Modern and Medieval Languages (MML), and has one of the larger cohorts of MML students in Cambridge, 7 or 8 in each year group. Despite the diverse range of languages studied, and the many options within those languages, there is a great sense of community amongst Girton's linguists.
In the college there is expertise amongst the Fellows in a range of languages and different areas of study. As well as the usual classes, in Girton we offer a course in cultural theory, to help support your studies, as well as social events.
The College Library has up-to-date holdings of the key texts, and is one of the few in Cambridge to stock the recommended DVDs for film study.
Modern and Medieval Languages at Cambridge is regularly rated as the best in the country by University Guides – there is nowhere better to study French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish as main languages, and to try out Catalan, Dutch, Modern Greek, Polish, Portuguese or Ukrainian as options.
Not only that, but MML is one of the most varied courses on offer. Not only do you gain high level fluency in two languages, one of which can be studied from scratch, but you also study some of the world's best writers, filmmakers, artists and philosophers, or try out the study of linguistics. While some papers give you in-depth knowledge of a particular period in a particular location, others allow you to study comparatively across three languages in one essay.
Masters courses that may be of interest to MML include the MPhil in European Literature and Culture and the MPhil in Screen Media and Cultures.
Research and postgraduate students are admitted to the University by the Board of Graduate Studies. You must therefore apply centrally and not to the College, however you must be admitted to a College to be able to study at the University. To ensure that this is Girton you need to indicate this on your application form.
MML graduates go into a wide range of careers following graduation. Many have gone into business posts abroad where their language skills have been a strong asset.
Undergraduate admissions at a glance
No. of students admitted per year
All entry requirements are A-Level standard or equivalent, unless otherwise stated.
At least one modern language.
One of the subjects must be one of the languages that you wish to study at Cambridge. Useful subjects include History, English Literature or Language, ancient languages and Philosophy, but these are not required and we have many successful candidates with other combinations of subjects, including Mathematics and science subjects.
A*AA
For details of other examination systems please see our Offer Table
Assessment arrangements
All Cambridge candidates are required to take a 60 minute written assessment. Candidates will sit the assessment in Cambridge at the time of interview.
Further information about the written assessment can be found on the Undergraduate Study and MML Faculty websites.
Interview arrangements
Usually 2 interviews; the interview(s) for language to be studied post-A level (or equivalent) will include a part conducted in the foreign language. Candidates wanting to study a language ab initio will be expected to demonstrate convincingly why they wish to do so, but no knowledge of the language is expected.
Tutorial and Admissions Office
admissions@girton.cam.ac.uk
graduate.office@girton.cam.ac.uk
Undergraduate Course Guide for Modern and Medieval Languages
Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages
Fellows & Teaching Staff
Dr Stuart Davis
Dott. Claudia Domenici
Dr Claire White
Fellows and Teaching Officers in Modern and Medieval Languages