Expand Your Academic Horizons: Ten Unconventional Courses to consider at Oxford and Cambridge

University: Oxford

Grade Requirements: AAA

In their own words: “Archaeology and Anthropology together encompass the study of humankind from the origins of the human species to the present day… (this degree) involve(s) a range of sophisticated approaches shared with the arts, social sciences and physical sciences” (Oxford University Website)

Consider this course if: Global cultural diversity fascinates you, you are confident working with scientific and non-scientific information, you like the sound of a month of fieldwork

Also offered at: Exeter, Manchester, Bristol, UCL, Durham, Southampton, Birmingham

University: Cambridge

Grade Requirements: A*AA

In their own words: “Our course explores contemporary global cultures through the in-depth study of language, culture and history, giving you knowledge and practical skills that can be used in many careers. The areas you can study in the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES) course stretch from Japan in the East to Morocco in the West, and from classical times to the present day.” (Cambridge University Website)

Consider this course if: You are interested in cultures past and present, you have a natural talent for learning languages, you have a broad range of interests and want a course that allows you to explore them all, you like the idea of spending a year abroad

Also offered at: Edinburgh, SOAS, Manchester, Leeds, St Andrews, KCL

University: Oxford

Grade Requirements: AAA

In their own words: “The course combines study of the history, archaeology and art of the classical world. It looks at the societies and cultures of the ancient Mediterranean, through written texts, visual art and material remains, and has at its centre the two classical cultures of Greece and Rome.” (Oxford University Website)

Consider this course if: You are interested in investigating ancient civilisations and their remains, you would like to study Classics but not the language component, you like the sound of getting stuck into some archaeological fieldwork

Also offered at: Edinburgh, Royal Holloway, Warwick, Birmingham, Exeter, Durham, St Andrews, UCL

University: Oxford

Grade Requirements: A*AA with the A* in Maths, Further Maths or Computing

In their own words: “If you enjoy mathematical problem-solving, would like to learn about computing and artificial intelligence, but also have wider interests in life and the universe then this degree might be for you!” (Oxford University Website)

Consider this course if: you are proficient in mathematics, you are interested in technological development (and particularly some of the dangers that come as a result), you enjoy pondering the answers to big philosophical questions!

Also offered at: St Andrews, Liverpool, Stirling

University: Cambridge

Grade Requirements: A*AA

In their own words: “Education is the study of human development and transformation in all its forms and contexts: from the individual mind to the social and political processes taking place within communities, institutions and global networks to the cultural encounters that shape ideas, beliefs and imaginations. Our course allows you to explore these themes across academic disciplines, or develop specialist knowledge in areas such as psychology, international development, or literature and theatre.” (University of Cambridge Website)

Consider this course if: you are creative, you would like to develop your research skills and design an independent research project, you aspire to become a teacher

Also offered at: Most UK universities offer some kind of education-related course for undergraduates (apart from Oxford)

University: Cambridge

Grade Requirements: A*AA

In their own words: “The course comprises three core disciplines, taught by globally respected departments. Politics and International Relations explores politics within and between countries, covering issues from human rights and democracy, to financial crises and international conflict. Social anthropologists address ‘what it is to be human’ by studying social and cultural diversity – how people live, think and relate to each other around the world. Sociology focuses on the nature of modern societies and the processes that shape social life, by examining social institutions and topics such as power and inequality.” (Cambridge University Website)

Consider this course if: your interests are cross-disciplinary, you would like a degree where you can choose lots of modules, you fancy studying Anthropology without the Archaeology!, you are interested in global politics

Also offered at: This specific course is only offered at Cambridge but other universities offer similar alternatives, such as International, Social and Political Studies at UCL

University: Oxford

Grade Requirements: AAA

In their own words: “Human Sciences is an interdisciplinary degree course which enables students to study humans from multiple interconnecting perspectives across the biological and social sciences. Underlying the degree concept is the recognition that it is important to understand connections among biological, social, and cultural phenomena in order to address the major issues and problems humans face in a rapidly changing world” (Oxford University Website)

Consider this course if: you are looking for a less traditional science course with some bridges to the humanities, you are interested in why we are how we are today, you are thinking of enrolling in Graduate Medicine, you would like a more scientific course than HSPS

Also offered at: Birmingham, Exeter, UCL, Durham, Cardiff

University: Cambridge

Grade Requirements: A*AA

In their own words: “Law, economics, and their relationship to the built and natural environments are central to Land Economy, along with other areas such as business regulation, the financial aspects of real estate and international development” (Cambridge University Website)

Consider this course if: you enjoy working with statistics and numbers, you are interested in the relationship between the law and the economy, you are interested in sustainability

Also offered at: Only offered at Cambridge!

University: Oxford

Grade Requirements: A*AA including Maths and Physics

In their own words: “Materials Science is an interdisciplinary subject, spanning the physics and chemistry of matter, engineering applications and industrial manufacturing processes.” (Oxford University Website)

Consider this course if: you are interested in all three sciences, you are creative and innovative, you have a desire to change the world for the better, you are interested in entrepreneurship, you like the sound of conducting your own individually designed research project

Also offered at: Imperial College London, Manchester, Loughborough, QMUL, Birmingham, Swansea

University: Oxford

Grade Requirements: A*AA

In their own words: “Psychology, philosophy, and linguistics are closely interrelated disciplines, so studying a combination of them allows students to explore different aspects of each subject, resulting in a very varied and dynamic course.” (Oxford University Website)

Consider this course if: You enjoy ‘big picture thinking’, you are proficient in both the sciences and humanities, you like the sound of conducting your own independent research project

Also offered at: PPL is a course unique to Oxford, but many other universities offer similar courses combining the three subjects