Doing a language at A level, IB Higher Level, Advanced Higher or or equivalent? Think both about what you're doing in the language itself and about the process and advantages of language learning. There are lots of courses at Cambridge that have some aspects of language learning, and in many cases you do not have to have studied the specific language before, so read the detail below with an open mind and remember that your A level (or equivalent) language is valuable for the introduction to language learning in general as well as for the specific language you are learning.
Love languages but not taking a language at A level, IB Higher Level, Advanced Higher or equivalent? If you're studying History, you could apply for History and Modern Languages and study German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish from scratch. Or you could apply for Classics (there's a four-year course for those who have not studied Latin or Greek before), or you might be interested in Asian and Middle-Eastern Studies or Theology, for example.
This course explores the languages and literature, material culture and history of the peoples of Britain, Ireland and the Scandinavian world in the earlier Middle Ages. It's a very flexible course so you can place the focus of your studies where you please, and can concentrate on language and literature papers if you want to or choose a wider mix. If you think you might enjoy studying old languages, and specific languages such as Cornish, medieval Irish, Breton or the origins of English, take a closer look at this course.
Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic (university page)
Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic (Christ's page)
On this course you can study either one language or two languages.
If you're studying a modern language such as French, German or Spanish, have you considered combining it with Arabic, Hebrew or Persian (all of which you can learn from scratch)?
Or you could study an Asian or Middle Eastern language on it's own, from scratch, so you could just study Chinese, Japanese, or Arabic for example.
There are lots of different options so do check the languages and combinations that are possible. This is an ideal course for students looking for a more global perspective and you'll learn about both languages and cultures.
Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (university page)
Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (Christ's page)
Maybe you're already learning Latin or Classical Greek, or maybe you've never had the opportunity. Classics at Cambridge is accessble for all with a 4-year course for students who haven't studied Latin before or who have not done much, and a three year course for students who've done Latin at school. The course is very broad and varied so if you're interested in the ancient world you should find lots of interesting material here.
Classics (university page)
Classics (Christ's page)
Do also bear in mind that you can combine a Classical language with a European Language in Modern and Medieval Languages.
If you want to combine History with French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, or Russian, do explore this course.
History and Modern Languages (university page)
History and Modern Languages (Christ's page)
You may have never studied Linguistics, but if you're interested in language you should find out about it. The course is wider than you may first think as it's not only about the characteristics of individual languages but also properties which all languages share and which offer insight into the human mind. It may suit you if you're a language-lover who's also a bit of an all-rounder as it draws on elements of the arts and the sciences.
You'll study two languages as an MML student - you must have studied at least one of them at A level or equivalent. The course covers the languages, literatures and cultures of most European (and many non-European) countries and is very flexible so that you can tailor what you study to your interests.
Modern and Medieval Languages (university page)
Modern and Medieval Languages (Christ's page)
You can combine language options in MML with a Classical Language (you still apply for Modern and Medieval languages for this option). Or alternatively if you apply for the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies course you can combine a language from MML with Arabic, Persian or Hebrew.
As part of this course you get to study a scriptural language (from scratch, no prior knowledge is expected). This could be Hebrew, New Testament Greek, Qur’anic Arabic or Sanskrit. If you're interested in the major world religions of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism the course may suit you. This course may be particularly interesting to students who've done Religious Studies at A level or equivalent, though it's not a required subject.
Theology, Religion and Philosophy of Religion (university page)
Theology, Religion and Philosophy of Religion (Christ's page)