Why Pembroke?

History and Modern Languages is a four-year course with an integral year abroad in your third year. You can study History with one of the following: French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, or Modern Greek. The fullness and variety of the curriculum means that students can combine papers from the two faculties in stimulating ways, for example the ‘Bridge Essay’ where students can make their own innovative contributions to the subjects.

We have a large teaching team and expertise in both History and Modern Languages at Pembroke, with many of our tutors having research interests that span the breadth of each discipline and often overlap in them. The Senior History Tutors are Stephen Tuck, an expert on the history of America, and Adrian Gregory, a specialist in First World War history and the writing of historical memory. Our key tutors in Modern Languages are Tim Farrant, Tutorial Fellow in French with research interests in 19th century French literature and culture, and Guido Bonsaver, Tutorial Fellow in Italian who specialises in modern Italian culture and, in particular, on the relationship between history, literature and film.

The year abroad

Students of Modern Languages will spend their third year abroad to gain more experience of their chosen language(s), and the culture of a native-speaking environment. The Pembroke tutors can give advice on planning this year away, and there are some particular exchange programmes available here. Our students spend this time in a wide variety of settings and clearly benefit great from these experiences, returning to their final year in College more confident in their area of study.

What extra activities do we offer?

The history society at Pembroke is one of the most active subject groups, and regularly arranges dinners and other social occasions such as quizzes and film nights throughout the year, in addition to regularly held academic presentations and talks.

Modern Languages also has a number of dedicated subject reps who organise events throughout the year, giving you plenty of opportunity to meet and socialise with students across both disciplines.

Could you become a History and Modern Languages student at Pembroke?

For both History and Languages, candidates need curiosity and imagination, analytical skill, intellectual flexibility, and should be able to communicate clearly. A keen interest and motivation for discovering other languages, literatures and cultures is crucial, along with a solid grounding in grammar and vocabulary.

All history applicants (including joint schools) are also required to take the History Aptitude Test (HAT).

Beginners’ language applications are welcome in German, Italian, Modern Greek and Portuguese.

If you are considering this course, please attend an open day where you can meet our tutors and students and find out more.  This is the best way to get a feel for whether you should make an application.  We look forward to meeting you!

Looking for single honours courses?

This course can be taken as a single honours course in History or Modern Languages.

Have you considered our joint honours courses?

Both of these disciplines form part of several joint honours courses, including History and English, History and Politics, History and Economics, European and Middle Eastern Languages, English and Modern Languages, and Modern Languages and Linguistics.