Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic (ASNC)

ASNC at Cambridge explores the history, culture, languages and epic literature of the peoples of Britain, Ireland and the Scandinavian world in the early Middle Ages. This unique degree, with original material – manuscripts and artefacts – at its core, will stretch your intellect and build sought-after skills in language, critical thinking and interpretation.

Overview

Ucas code

QQ59

Campus code

X

Typical offers made per year

3

Typical Undergraduate cohort

3

Minimum offer level

A Levels: A*AA

IB: 42 points, with 776 at Higher Level.

Other qualifications: check what other international qualifications are accepted at Cambridge

STEP (SIXTH TERM EXAMINATION PAPER)

COURSE DURATION

BA (Hons) 3 years, full-time

Essential subjects

None

Desirable subjects

For ASNC, all languages are taught from first principles, and we do not assume that you have studied early medieval history or literature at school. Useful preparatory subjects often include English (Language or Literature), History, and a language (ancient or modern).

ADMISSIONS ASSESSMENT

Admissions Assessment: None

Applicants are required to submit two pieces of written work. This should be in essay format with a word limit of up to 1500 words. The work can be extracted from an EPQ.

Why Choose St John's for Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic (ASNC)?

St John’s stands out because of the strength of our academics, who together cover literature, history, languages and manuscripts of Britain, Ireland and Scandinavia.

Our Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic Fellows, undergraduates and postgraduates create a vibrant group in St John’s, sharing their passion for studying the Middle Ages and keen to interact and discuss all things medieval.

The Southampton Psalter (pictured) is the earliest manuscript in our historic collections and one of our most beautiful treasures. It dates from the 10th century and combines different kinds of writing in Latin and Irish (Gaelic) with striking illustrations.

The first translation of the complete Bible into Welsh was made in the 16th century by William Morgan, a Fellow of St John’s. It was hugely influential for the development of literary Welsh. You could get the chance to see our first edition in the Old Library.

Since the 16th century we’ve had an enduring connection with Trinity College Dublin, a great way to enrich your studies.

Watch this video to learn more about studying Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic at St John’s.

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Our academics

Director of Studies

Sub-Director of Studies

Professor Orietta Da Rold

Fellow

Director of Studies

Sub-Director of Studies

Dr Brigid Ehrmantraut

Fellow

Director of Studies

Sub-Director of Studies

Professor Máire Ní Mhaonaigh

Fellow

Director of Studies

Sub-Director of Studies

Dr Rebecca Shercliff

Fellow

Course structure and information

The dissertation option in the ASNC Tripos offers a genuine opportunity for undergraduates to undertake original research and make a real contribution to scholarship.

Find out more about the course structure and what to expect when studying at St John's College.

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Supporting your studies

Manuscript collections

Our Special Collections include various grammars, histories and texts published in later centuries that shed light on historical subjects. These unique resources provide fantastic source material for dissertations and research projects. Students can make an appointment to consult special collections material at any time of the year.

Palaeography lessons

Deciphering old handwriting is a valuable skill when you're studying texts from the past. Our experienced Archivist offers free palaeography sessions during term time to any student interested in learning more about working with historical documents and manuscripts.

The College Archive collections are particularly rich in medieval material, and classes are held in our state-of-the-art Archive Centre inside the ancient School of Pythagoras (the oldest extant secular building in Cambridge). Students of any subject can also sign up to a general 'Introduction to the Archives' session at the start of each academic year.

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Exchange Programmes

St John's is proud to collaborate with a number of great institutions to provide exciting cultural and academic exchanges. Our current exchange partners include Caltech Scholars exchange, Collegio Ghislieri di Pavia University Exchange, Heidelberg University Exchange, Nagoya University Exchange Scheme and NUS Research Exchange Programme.

Discover student life

meet our students

I’m often struck by how lucky I am to live here. I’ll be studying my Old English paradigms out on the Backs by the river and the beauty of St John’s takes my breath away

James, Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic, undergraduate

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I’m often struck by how lucky I am to live here. I’ll be studying my Old English paradigms out on the Backs by the river and the beauty of St John’s takes my breath away

James, Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic, undergraduate

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The Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic BA is unique, Cambridge is the only place in the world with a department for the subject. ASNC offers a tailored approach to studying History, English and language, as well as something new. I’d read Beowulf and thought, ‘I’d love to dive into this world’. I’ll be looking at stone inscriptions one day, Old English poetry the next, and then Viking and Saxon politics and relations.

Having a multidisciplinary approach is a blessing, it’s fun and St John’s is a large, happy, friendly place to study. I love the intimacy of being in a small cohort and have made more friends playing College Ultimate Frisbee. I live in Third Court and my Director of Studies is in Second Court – it’s a 30-second walk to our meetings, and she’s brilliant. I often think, when am I ever going to live in what is essentially a 16th-century mansion again?

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Applying

We want to understand your interest in, and enthusiasm for, the course. What drew you to elements of Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic in the first place and what have you done specifically to learn more about it? Tell us about ways in which you’ve extended your knowledge. It could be about books you’ve read, podcasts you’ve listened to or visits to a local museum or medieval site.

We are looking for applicants who have explored and thought about the multidisciplinary nature of the course, which spans literature, history and language. Can you explain why and how that appeals and how it suits your own intellectual approach?

Useful preparation subjects at school or college can include English (Language or Literature), History, or a language (ancient or modern), but whatever subjects you are taking at school, they will provide you with skills applicable to the ASNC course. Our current undergraduates have studied a range of A-level subjects.

Do as well as you possibly can, so that your exam predictions and school reference can fully reflect your focus, commitment and talent.

If you are invited to interview, you will have two interviews each lasting around 25 minutes with the Director of Studies and subject specialists. The aim of these interviews is to find out about your motivation and aptitude for Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic.

Interviews are friendly and informal in manner, so please don't feel daunted by the prospect. We do not assume any knowledge of the subjects we teach but will be interested in how you approach language, literature and history, the three key areas of our course of study. To explore this we may ask you about certain topics you have studied at school, or about other relevant activities you have undertaken.

We may ask interview candidates to consider a piece of text, an image or a map, and then discuss aspects of this with us. This is to help us understand how you engage with content and think critically about it – we are not trying to catch you out about something you have never before encountered.

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