German and Russian

German and Russian together constitute one of the most demanding and rewarding language combinations available in modern languages. German is the most widely spoken native language in Europe, the language of an economic and cultural powerhouse with an extraordinary literary, philosophical, and scientific heritage. Russian carries you into the world of Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Chekhov, and Akhmatova, but also into one of the most geopolitically significant languages of the twenty-first century, spoken across a vast geographic range and central to understanding the politics and culture of a major world region.

At Oxford, which has one of the world's leading modern languages faculties, this four-year full-time degree provides rigorous training in both written and spoken language alongside extensive engagement with the literature, thought, and culture of the German and Russian worlds. You can study literature across a wide range of periods and genres, or concentrate on particular eras from the medieval to the present day. A range of further options allows exploration of linguistics, philology, film, and gender studies, and the degree includes advanced translation in German.

Oxford's tutorial system means that your language and literary work receives intensive individual attention from specialists. The typical entry tariff of 184 points reflects the exceptionally high academic standard.

Graduates go on to careers in diplomacy, international business, intelligence, journalism, translation, academic research, law, the civil service, and many other fields where deep knowledge of European languages and cultures is a genuine asset. The analytical, communicative, and cross-cultural skills that Oxford modern languages graduates develop are valued across a very wide range of professional contexts. Postgraduate study in German, Russian, comparative literature, or area studies is a natural continuation for those wishing to pursue academic careers or specialist professional roles.