BA History and Czech (with Slovak)
About this course
History and Czech (with Slovak) is an unusual and intellectually rich combination that places the study of Central European history, language, and culture at the centre of a broader training in historical method and critical thinking. Czech and Slovak are South Slavic languages with closely related grammatical structures and a shared literary heritage that stretches from medieval manuscript culture through the national revivals of the nineteenth century to the distinctive literary and cinematic achievements of the twentieth. The historical strand allows you to study their speakers' experiences within the broader currents of European and world history. At Oxford, this four-year programme trains you simultaneously in rigorous historical analysis and in reading and speaking Czech, with Slovak introduced as a closely related language. You will encounter the history of Bohemia, Moravia, Slovakia, and their neighbours from medieval times to the present, including the Habsburg centuries, the troubled politics of the interwar period, the Nazi occupation, communist rule, and the extraordinary transformations since 1989. Historical study at Oxford emphasises the close reading of primary sources, sustained argument across long essays, and the ability to place particular events in wide comparative context. Entry is highly competitive, typically requiring a tariff of around 184 points. Graduates of this combination are exceptionally well prepared for careers in Central European affairs, whether in diplomacy, international organisations, journalism, NGOs, or academic research. The historical training is valued across the civil service, law, publishing, and the cultural sector. Czech and Slovak remain relatively rare languages among UK graduates, which gives those who study them a genuine and lasting professional advantage in any field with connections to the region. Many graduates continue to doctoral research in history, Slavonic studies, or area studies.
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