English

English at Cambridge is compelling, demanding and astoundingly rewarding. The course is extraordinary, as it lets you read and analyse exciting, challenging and enthralling works of literature - in poetry, prose, drama and a myriad of other forms - dating from 1300 to those published last week. It also allows you to follow your own interests, for example in politics, history, art, theology or music, to become familiar with the context within which these works are understood. Further details about the course can be found on the .

English at ��ֱ��

We admit around 8-10 English students per year, so you will join a large community of English undergraduates within the College. English at ��ֱ�� benefits from a tradition of success, a superb library, and a supportive ethos that will help you find your individual way through the course. We have a large and diverse Fellowship who teach enthusiastically and flexibly. We also have a history of organising events, especially in relation to the study of drama and performance: in recent years, students have made trips to see Renaissance-period plays, Greek Tragedies and opera.

Typical offer

A Level: A*AA

IB: 42 (776)

Required subjects

A Level: A Level English Literature or English Language and Literature

IB: Higher Level English Literature or English Language and Literature

Admissions assessment

Applicants are required to take a written assessment if invited for interview. You do not need to register in advance for this assessment. The College will provide details directly to you. Check the page for more details.

Written work

Applicants are required to submit two pieces of written work.

What the students say

Sadia Batool

English at Cambridge affords its students a lot of freedom. There is an expectation to cover literature from 1300 to the present day, but freedom lies in the kind of literature students would like to write or talk about. So much of the degree involves this last and my favourite activity — talking. Supervisions are weekly (and sometimes bi-weekly) opportunities to discuss with an academic and a small group what you read, wrote about in an essay or delivered in a presentation. These discussions prompt alternative ideas, stronger arguments and digression, that altogether help make you a better thinker. In addition to everything from Medieval to contemporary literature, Englings (that is English students as we like to call ourselves) study pracrit (another shorthand term for practical criticism and critical practice) and have separate supervisions for this component. These supervisions are in larger groups and grant students greater opportunities to consider literary techniques. Regardless of what they're for, I've gained a lot of ideas, confidence and friendships from supervisions.

Outside of my degree, I like to bee keep, play tennis (albeit poorly) and watch movies or visit the theatre. This long vac (summer holidays), I've been trying to watch a movie a day. Proving more difficult than I'd expect, I've so far (that is almost 2 weeks in) watched four movies: The Phoenician Scheme, The Children's Act, The Painted Veil and 28 Days Later.