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Original poster

Do Oxbridge like to see a MFL at GCSE?

57 replies

kitnkaboodle · 01/02/2016 09:34

My son, Y9, is choosing options now. He's possible 'Oxbridge material' in Maths/Science/Tech as long as he keeps on the straight and narrow. His school are advising all top sets/kids with their eyes on university to take French as a GCSE option. DS does fine in French, is top set, but doesn't like it. With all the other subjects he's going to be doing, I can see him possibly getting 'only' a B in it (or new equivalent). For A levels he'll almost certainly be doing Maths and Sciences - currently has vague ambitions to be an engineer.

Does anyone know if Oxbridge actually care what subjects kids have at GCSE level, or whether they are only interested in their GCSE grades, or if, in fact, they don't look at GCSEs at all and are only interested in your prediction A level grades?

I took Oxbridge entrance over 30 years ago, and I know that then they required you to have a Science O-level. I didn't have one, but I had Geography, and that was allowed to count.

I'll post this in Further Education board as well - thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
kitnkaboodle · 01/02/2016 10:04

A-ha .. so it's probably all about the EBacc ... there has been no overt mention of this, but it makes sense.

Is this something that universities actually look for in candidates? Or is it more something that earns brownie points for the school?? Rumour mill has it that the school are desperate to upgrade from Good to Outstanding and are pulling out all the stops ...

OP posts:
PotteringAlong · 01/02/2016 09:59

Engineers work abroad too! i think Mfl would be a good plan.

senua · 01/02/2016 09:57

currently has vague ambitions to be an engineer.

... but you never know. It's best to keep your options open and cover all bases. Don't go too narrow too soon.
Barring something major like dyslexia/dyspraxia/dyscalculia, an Oxbridge hopeful should be able to get the EBacc with no problems.

Original poster
kitnkaboodle · 01/02/2016 09:49

Oops, yes, just checked. It's Computer Science. Is that more based on programming/coding?

OP posts:
OddBoots · 01/02/2016 09:46

ICT (probably, you never know with this government) won't exist as a GCSE for current Y9 students, do you mean Computing?

Original poster
kitnkaboodle · 01/02/2016 09:41

They are pushing French so hard that the only other options in that block to pick from are RE and ICT. Just wondering if an eventual B in French amidst all his STEM subjects would actually be preferable to an A* in ICT.

(I know the grading's going to be different, but I haven't quite got my head around it yet!)

OP posts:
OddBoots · 01/02/2016 09:36

I don't know about Oxbridge but UCL certainly do and that is regarded as 'up there' with Oxbridge for some of the STEM degrees.

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