English (old version)

The Cambridge English course is divided into two parts. The first  part gives you a strong foundational knowledge of literature across the  centuries. The second allows you to explore your own interests in more  depth. You’re introduced to the full range of English literature from  the Middle Ages to the present day. There are few set texts, so that  while you must study widely, you can also focus on topics of interest to you.

Teaching is provided through lectures, seminars, and small-group supervisions and classes. You typically attend at least six hours of lectures or seminars, and  two to three hours of individual, paired or small-group supervision each week. You normally write one or two short essays per week which you  then discuss with your supervisor.

More details of the content of each part of the course and the range of papers available can be found on the English Faculty website. Subject to certain restrictions, it’s also possible to take papers from the Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic; Classics; or Modern and Medieval  Languages courses in Part IB and Part II. Further details of these  papers are available on the Faculty website.

There is a case that can be made for Magdalene as the home of modern  English Studies.  I. A. Richards, who is sometimes credited as the  'founding father' of modern literary criticism,  began as an  undergraduate at Magdalene in 1911. After 35 years teaching at Harvard,  he returned to the College and lived here until his death in 1979. Much  of his early work was done in collaboration with the polymath C. K.  Ogden, who had joined Magdalene in 1908 and went on to invent 'Basic  English', which still forms the standard vocabulary for much English  language teaching across the world. One of Richards' early students at  Magdalene was the poet and critic Sir William Empson.

Thomas Hardy, Rudyard Kipling, T. S. Eliot, Seamus Heaney, and C. S.  Lewis were all members of Magdalene; three of them were also recipients  of the Nobel Prize for Literature. Amongst the current Honorary  Fellowship are the Poet Laureate, Dame Carol Ann Duffy, and the  distinguished American literary critic and Harvard University Professor, Helen Vendler.

Magdalene has a thriving community of English scholars, including the Director of Studies,  Dr Jane Hughes, who specialises in medieval  literature, and Dr Marcus Waithe, whose teaching areas include Victorian literature and contemporary poetry. Dr Michael Hrebeniak is a College  Lecturer with specialisms in American literature, practical criticism,  Modernism and the short story. At Magdalene, at any  one time there are usually about 16-18 undergraduates in English across  all years, as well as a varying number of postgraduate students.

Candidates for admission are judged on six main areas:

• written work which is requested to be sent well in advance of an interview;

• on your performance in the Cambridge College-registered written assessment for English;

• the subject interview itself with Dr Hughes and a second subject  specialist, which follows a short written 'quiz' based on passages of  prose or verse which candidates are asked to write about and then  discuss in the interview, and which also includes a discussion of texts  and topics suggested by the candidate's writings and/or suggested by the candidate him or herself during the interview;
• a general/subject interview, normally with an English specialist and with a Fellow who does not teach your chosen subject;

• school references about the candidate's achievements and potential;

• and finally on actual or predicted A-level (or equivalent) results.

It is not advisable to worry too much about the interviews (regard  them as a chance for you to meet us as well as for us to meet you!) but  it is a good idea to think very carefully about the portfolio of essays  you will send in - get advice from a teacher. If you send in a piece of practical criticism or a critical  appreciation, don't forget to include a copy of the piece itself - we  can sometimes guess what it is you are describing, but not always!

And don't forget to keep copies of all your essays so that you can  reread them and have them fresh in your mind before the interview.  Choose essays on books you would like to discuss with us at interview.  We prefer recent essays if possible. If you write creatively, you are  welcome to send a short sample, but this should be in addition to the  academic essays. Please don’t bring additional material with you to the  interview as we are not able to read it on the spot.

We expect applicants for English to be studying English Literature at A-level, IB Higher Level, or equivalent. English Literature and  Language is acceptable if English Literature is not available at your  school. Beyond that, there are no other specific subject requirements  and a wide range of combinations will be acceptable, including a mixture of Arts and Science subjects.

Our minimum offer level for English is A*AA at A-level or 41-42  points in the IB with 7, 7, 6 at Higher Level. Sometimes we may ask for  an A* (or 7 at IB Higher Level) in English Literature specifically.  However, our offers are always tailor-made to the individual candidate  and we try to set the offer at a realistic level.

Interviews, Written Work, and Assessments

Candidates for admission in English are asked to send two essays in to College in advance of their interviews.

Candidates will usually have two interviews. One will be with the  Director of Studies and another English Studies Fellow, the second with  two other Fellows, either in English or a related subject. Candidates  are normally asked to complete a prepared reading before one of their  interviews. Candidates are encouraged to write their own notes in response, for their use in the interview. This is not a test and is not graded, it is used instead to get you thinking about some of the issues that  will come up in your interviews and to help get the conversation going.

Applicants invited for interview will also take a written assessment. The assessment for English is a Cambridge College-registered assessment. This means you will not need to register for this assessment in advance and the College will provide details directly to you. More information about the assessment is available here. Please note that your performance in the written assessment will not be considered in isolation, but will be taken into account alongside the  other elements of your application.