History and English combines two subjects with a long tradition at Oxford. Joint Honours degrees are great if you enjoy both subjects and do not want to choose between them. The Oxford course encourages students to think critically about the links between the two disciplines. Having a knowledge of the historical context in which authors composed their works makes for an in-depth understanding of literature, and the documents studied by historians can be considered ‘literary’ too. It’s a very small course with an intake of less than 15 each year. It’s also one of the more competitive courses at Oxford with a success rate of just 13%.
Being one of the most flexible degrees, there is a wide range of options available in the History and English course, so students can pick the periods they study according to their interests. Students will choose options from both the English Literature and Language course, and the History course. In their final years, students are required to write an interdisciplinary essay and dissertation, bridging the two subjects.
Teaching takes place mainly through tutorials, for which students have to write essays. Often, a History and English student might be working on two essays at the same time.
An A Level (or equivalent) in English Literature or English Language and Literature is required. An A Level in History is recommended but not essential.