Oxford English and Modern Languages interview 2026: dates, questions, format and success rate

Oxford interviews 86% of English and Modern Languages applicants, online, and offers a place to 36% of those interviewed.

Figures from ox.ac.uk, checked 18 October 2026.

At a glance

When: 7-10 Dec 2026 (Additional 14-16 Dec 2026)
Format: Panel interview, Online (Tutors from both English and Modern Languages)
How many: Typically one per language/subject
Length: Approximately 30 min
Who's interviewed: All shortlisted applicants
Before it: No admissions test (no written test for 2027 entry)

Before: No admissions test (no written test for 2027 entry)
Interviews: Typically one per language/subject, 7-10 Dec 2026, online
Each one: Approximately 30 min, with Tutors from both English and Modern Languages
In the room: Discussion of a text, a grammar exercise and personal-statement discussion
They assess: "Potential in language and literature, suitability for tutorial teaching", in the university's own words

Official sample question: Is there a difference between innocence and naivety?
Official sample question: What makes a short story different from a novel?
Reported by 2 sources: Why might an English student be interested in the fact that Coronation Street has been running for 50 years?

Every question reported for this course is open with a free account.

7-10 Dec 2026.

Online, as a panel interview.

Approximately 30 min. Typically one per language/subject.

86%, and 36% of those interviewed got an offer.

No admissions test (no written test for 2027 entry).