Preferred subjects for Oxbridge English admissons

[doglover]

Our dd did really well in her recent AS mocks: Eng Lit A, History A, Media A and Music B. Her sixth form tutor has been talking about her possibly applying to Oxbridge to study English. This has come as a complete surprise to us - we knew she was a bright, motivated girl but didn't realise that she might have this potential - and we'll support her if she decides to follow this path. Her tutor did mention that her Media course - which she loves - may not be well-received by these establishments and she could consider continuing all 4 subjects for A2; she'd been planning to drop Music.

Would she be at a disadvantage applying with Eng Lit, History and Media?

TIA

[doglover]

Hello ENMS. Yes, my dd is sitting AS this summer in all her subjects. As far as I can recall - rather confused by all the recent subject changes! - the Eng Lit, History and Music are the new 2 year courses whereas the Media is the old AS/A2.

[doglover]

Her college are putting students in for the AS exams to monitor their progress even for the new 2 year courses ......... I think!!

[Andfaraway]

The RG list of "facilitating subjects" is not gospel. You'll see quite a few RG universities offer Drama or Theatre Studies (although Media Studies not so much).

[Andfaraway]

And as others are saying: the 3 Bs at GCSE might be an issue. OTOH, if she's at a "bog standard comp" awful term then these might be seen as not a problem.

If she were at a fee-paying or grammar school, then they would be a problem.

She has 5 choices - why not let her have Ox as one of them (or Cambridge?), but make sure that there are other equally juicy choices? For English - top places would include: York, Durham, Bristol, Kings, UCL, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Exeter ... lots of really wonderful departments.

[doglover]

Really appreciate all your advice. Both my dd and I are currently mulling it over. When we discussed it at the weekend, we're both of the mind that it would be better for her emotionally to drop the music, continuing with Eng Lit, History and Media. If this rules out Oxbridge applications, so be it. As mentioned by AFA earlier, there are many other unis that offer exciting English courses.

[bojorojo]

By the way, English Literature and Drama/Theatre Studies is an excellent A level combination for studying English. Cambridge are happy for this combination to be offered because the studying of theatre and plays is an extension to knowledge that is beneficial and adds to the breadth of the student.

[Figmentofmyimagination]

Hello OP my DD is studying English at the moment at oxford. I would say, go with the media studies, which she enjoys, as she already has two strong and ideal 'facilitating subjects'.

In some ways, 'media' might help her, as it will be obvious she's not from an independent/selective grammar.

More importantly, what matters way more, as one pp has said, is evidence of her engagement in the subject. There are loads of ways of doing this - including using her 'media' side. Obviously read, read, read, but be focused, finding things you really enjoy. eg my DD really got into modern poetry, and also wrote a lot. This is the season of literary festivals eg priority booking for the cambridge lit festival opens this Friday and eg Kate tempest (poet) is speaking, plus a rapping Shakespearean! Also look for the LSE space for thought festival about now (last year we saw owen sheers - really inspiring). In London you can join the royal soc of literature - just £50 for a year for a young person - again inspiring - or you can listen to their author podcasts for free. Lots on at the London review of books bookshop, and my DD went to an awful lot of free bbc recordings in the lower sixth. The national theatre also runs a v cheap playwriting course every year. If you start early you can find loads of ways of building up your ps, but there's no substitute for reading and thinking. But don't drop something you love for something you might do less well in!